Speech Therapy
Stuttering in children
Clinically reviewed by Hannah Chamberlain
Stuttering is a common speech difficulty in young children. Early speech therapy — like the Australian-developed Lidcombe Program — is highly effective.
Clinically reviewed by Hannah Chamberlain
Last reviewed 31 May 2026
This page reflects current clinical guidance. See the Hey Sprout editorial policy for review cadence and corrections.
What stuttering is
Stuttering (a fluency disorder) is when the smooth flow of speech is interrupted — repeating sounds or words ("b-b-ball"), stretching sounds out, or getting "stuck" with no sound coming.[] It usually appears in the preschool years as a child's language develops, and it has a strong neurological and genetic basis: if a parent or relative stutters, a child is more likely to.[] It is not caused by parenting, anxiety, or anything a family did.
Many young children who stutter recover, but it's not possible to reliably predict who will — and early treatment is highly effective — so "wait and see" indefinitely is no longer the recommended default.[]
What it looks like
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words ("a-a-and", "I-I-I want")
- Prolonging sounds ("ssssee")
- Blocks — getting stuck with effort and no sound coming out
- Physical tension, or extra movements, around moments of stuttering
- Frustration, or starting to avoid certain words or speaking
How speech therapy helps
For preschool children, the Lidcombe Program — developed in Australia — has the strongest evidence base, demonstrated in randomised controlled trials.[] It's a parent-delivered behavioural treatment: guided by a speech pathologist, parents give simple, supportive verbal feedback about smooth and bumpy speech in everyday situations, at a pace that keeps it positive.
A typical pathway:
- Assessment of the stuttering and its impact
- Parent training in delivering the program's feedback correctly and warmly
- Everyday practice, reviewed and adjusted with the speech pathologist
- Maintenance to keep fluent speech stable over time
The Lidcombe Program has also been delivered effectively via telehealth — which suits its parent-led structure.
NDIS funding
Whether stuttering meets NDIS access criteria depends on severity, persistence, and functional impact; a speech pathologist's assessment supports an access request. If approved, speech therapy is funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. For families without NDIS funding, sessions are private-pay at the NDIS rate.
What a Hey Sprout session looks like
Sessions run online via secure video — a good fit for the parent-led Lidcombe Program. We assess your child's fluency, train and coach you to deliver the program day to day, and review progress together. We hold your slot before asking for any NDIS or plan-manager details.
Frequently asked questions
My young child has started stuttering — should I worry?
Lots of children stutter as they learn to talk, and some recover without help. But you can't reliably predict who will, and early treatment works best — so the current advice is to see a speech pathologist rather than "wait and see" indefinitely, especially if it's persisting beyond a few months or your child is frustrated.
Did I cause my child's stutter?
No. Stuttering isn't caused by parenting, nerves, or anything you did. It has a strong neurological and genetic basis — if a parent or relative stutters, a child is more likely to.
What treatment works for young children?
For preschoolers, the Lidcombe Program — developed in Australia — has the strongest evidence. Parents are trained to deliver supportive feedback about speech in everyday situations, guided by a speech pathologist. It's structured, gentle, and effective.
Can it be treated online?
Yes. The Lidcombe Program has been trialled and delivered effectively via telehealth, and the parent-led structure suits online delivery well.
Does Hey Sprout treat stuttering?
Yes — fluency is core speech pathology. We assess your child's stuttering and, for preschoolers, typically use the Lidcombe Program, coaching you to deliver it day to day.
How Hey Sprout supports this
Related conditions
Autism (Level 1 and Level 2) in children
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference. Level 1 and Level 2 children typically benefit from speech, OT, and psychology support — and most are NDIS-eligible.
Cerebral palsy — therapy support for children
Cerebral palsy affects movement and posture. Goal-directed OT and speech therapy build independence and communication, online and coordinated with your team.
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)
CAS is a motor speech disorder where the brain struggles to plan the movements for speech. It needs frequent, specific speech therapy — and responds to it.
Down syndrome — therapy support for children
Children with Down syndrome thrive with early, consistent therapy. Speech and OT build communication and daily-living skills, online and parent-coached.
References
- Randomised controlled trial of the Lidcombe programme of early stuttering intervention — BMJ (British Medical Journal), 2005
- Stuttering in children and teens — Raising Children Network (Australia), 2024
- Fluency Disorders — Clinical Practice Portal — American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2024
