Services

What is stuttering?

Stuttering — also known as stammering — is a speech disorder that disrupts the rhythm and flow of speech. Children and adults who stutter know exactly what they want to say; the difficulty is in the moment of speaking. It is believed to be a speech-motor processing difficulty with a genetic component: about 60% of people who stutter have a family history of it.

Stuttering typically first appears during the preschool years (ages 2–3), when language development is accelerating rapidly. It is variable — there are good days and bad days — and often worsens in specific situations like phone calls or presentations. Anxiety is not the cause of stuttering, but can become a consequence if it persists into the school years.

Treatment: preschoolers (ages 2–6)

The Lidcombe Program is the gold standard for preschool stuttering. It is a parent-administered, behaviourally based approach that uses structured praise for fluent speech. Research consistently shows it is most effective when started before a child enters primary school — early treatment matters significantly. I am a certified Lidcombe Program therapist.

Syllable-Timed Speech is an alternative developed at the Australian Stuttering Research Centre. Parents model a gentle speech rhythm that helps lower stuttering levels. It is particularly useful where the Lidcombe approach needs supplementing or adapting.

Treatment: school-aged children (7+)

Once stuttering persists into formal schooling, it requires careful, experienced assessment. School-aged children may have faced bullying or teasing, developed anxiety in speaking situations, or had previous therapy that did not fully work. Treatment is tailored — approaches include the Lidcombe or Camperdown Program (modified for age), Extended Length Utterance, Syllable-Timed Speech, Self-Imposed Time Out, or Speech Restructuring.

Treatment: adolescents and adults

For adolescents and adults, the Camperdown Program is the evidence-based approach of choice. It teaches speech restructuring — a new way of coordinating speech — that gives control back. The goal is fluent, natural-sounding speech. Prolonged speech and smooth speech techniques reduce stuttering by 80–90% when applied consistently. I am a certified Camperdown Program therapist.

Where social anxiety is present alongside stuttering — which affects 40–60% of adults who stutter — this is addressed as part of the treatment plan.

What causes voice problems?

The vocal folds are delicate structures that require fine motor control. Any disruption — structural (nodules, polyps, cysts, inflammation) or functional (muscle tension, poor breath support, habitual strain) — can affect how the voice sounds and how it feels to use. Often it is a combination: how much the voice is used, how it is used, and underlying stress or health factors.

Voice problems are especially common among people with high vocal demands: teachers, performers, salespeople, managers. They can also follow illness, surgery, or a period of significant stress. If a voice change persists beyond six weeks, it is important to seek assessment.

What voice therapy involves

I work with adults and children across a wide range of voice presentations — muscle tension dysphonia, nodules, polyps and cysts, puberphonia, presbyphonia, dysphonia following laryngeal surgery, vocal tremor, and voice for singers. I work closely with Ear, Nose and Throat specialists; many of my patients are referred directly by ENT consultants.

Therapy typically includes: vocal hygiene education, breath and posture work, resonance training, tension release, and rebuilding vocal stamina progressively. I adapt every programme to the demands of the individual's voice use at work and at home.

My voice training includes Lessac-Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy and a period working at the Grabscheid Voice Centre in New York — the full training background is in my credentials.

Speech and language: what is the difference?

Speech refers to how sounds are made and articulated. A child with a speech difficulty may have unclear or hard-to-understand speech, even when they have plenty to say and good understanding. Language refers to understanding what others say (receptive language) and putting words together to express thoughts (expressive language). A child can have difficulty with one, the other, or both.

Speech and language difficulties can also be associated with hearing impairment, autism, global developmental delay, or central auditory processing disorders. Assessment by a speech therapist is often the first step in understanding what is going on and what to do next.

When to seek help

It is a common misconception that "boys just talk later" or that waiting is always fine. While every child develops at their own pace, there are recognised milestones that matter. Key benchmarks: by 18 months, at least 20 words; by 24 months, combining words spontaneously. If these are not there, speak to a speech therapist sooner rather than later.

Research shows that children who continue to lag in language milestones often have persistent difficulties with reading and writing once formal schooling begins. Early treatment outcomes are significantly better.

What therapy looks like

For children, therapy is play-based, engaging, and highly parent-involved. I work closely with parents and caregivers throughout — in many approaches (particularly the Lidcombe Program for stuttering), the parent is the primary agent of daily therapy, facilitated by me in clinic. I adapt sessions to each child's personality, interests, and the practicalities of family life.

I have been treating children with speech and language difficulties since 2012. I am trained in the Hanen Programme (It Takes Two to Talk; More Than Words), Caroline Bowen's PACT, DIR/Floortime, and PECS.