Fluency, Confidence, and Tools That Support Children Who Stutter
Fluency challenges don’t just affect how a child speaks—they can affect how a child feels about speaking. Many children who stutter worry about being teased, interrupted, or misunderstood, which can lead them to avoid talking altogether.
In speech therapy, our goal is not to eliminate stuttering. Instead, we aim to help children communicate confidently, move through moments of stuttering with less tension, and feel empowered to use their voice—whether their speech is fluent or not.
A large part of fluency work focuses on self-advocacy, emotional safety, and reducing pressure. The more a child focuses on “not stuttering,” the more anxious and tense their speech can become. That’s why creating a calm, supportive communication environment is essential.
One of the simplest ways adults can help is by modeling slow, relaxed speech instead of repeatedly telling a child to slow down. Children naturally follow the communication pace of the people around them.
Fluency Tools: Not Rules
Fluency strategies are tools children can choose to use—not rules they must follow. Some strategies help shape speech before stuttering happens, while others help children move through stuttering moments when they occur.
Below are several commonly used fluency strategies and how they are taught and used in therapy.
Syllable-Timed Speech (STS)
What Is It?
Syllable-Timed Speech is a fluency-shaping strategy that helps children slow their speech by giving equal time and stress to each syllable.
Instead of rushing or emphasizing certain words, the child:
Speaks one syllable at a time
Gives each syllable equal length
Uses a steady, rhythmic pace
Example: “I want to go outside” → “I – want – to – go – out – side”
Each syllable gets its own “beat.”
How It Helps
Reduces speaking rate naturally
Lowers physical tension
Increases predictability in speech
Builds a sense of control
How to Use It
Practice with clapping, tapping, or marching
Start with short phrases
Gradually fade the rhythm so speech sounds natural
Use it briefly before stressful speaking situations
Easy Onset
What Is It?
Easy onset helps a child begin speech gently and smoothly, especially on words that start with vowels or voiced sounds.
Instead of starting a word with tension, the child eases into the sound using gentle airflow.
Example: “apple” → “aaaaapple”
How It Helps
Reduces tension at the start of words
Helps prevent hard blocks
Encourages relaxed breath support
️ How to Use It
Take a relaxed breath
Turn on the voice gently
Stretch the beginning sound slightly
Gradually shorten the stretch to sound natural
Easy onset is often paired with calm breathing and slow speech.
Continuous Phonation
What Is It?
Continuous phonation encourages the speaker to keep their voice turned on across words in a sentence instead of stopping and restarting.
How It Helps
Reduces stop-start tension
Prevents blocks caused by repeated voice onset
Supports smoother sentence flow
️ How to Use It
Practice connecting words smoothly
Slightly stretch vowels between words
Avoid abrupt stops
Think of speech as “flowing” instead of stopping
This strategy works well during reading, presentations, or longer responses.
Pull-Outs (Stuttering Modification)
What Is It?
A pull-out is used during a moment of stuttering. The goal is not to stop the stutter, but to reduce tension and move through it.
How It Helps
Teaches control during a stutter
Reduces fear of stuttering
Encourages acceptance and flexibility
️ How to Use It
Notice the stutter as it’s happening
Ease the tension in the mouth or throat
Stretch the sound or word
Finish the word smoothly
Pull-outs are taught gradually and require awareness and practice.
Cancellations (Stuttering Modification)
What Is It?
A cancellation is used after a stuttered word. The speaker pauses briefly, then repeats the word more easily.
How It Helps
Builds awareness and control
Reduces fear of repeating words
Encourages intentional, calm speech
How to Use It
Finish the stuttered word
Pause for 1–2 seconds
Repeat the word slowly and easily
Cancellations are typically practiced in therapy or low-pressure environments—not during fast-paced conversations.
Choosing the Right Tool
Not every strategy works for every child, and not every strategy is used all the time. Some children prefer fluency-shaping tools like easy onset or syllable-timed speech, while others benefit from stuttering modification strategies like pull-outs and cancellations.
The most important factors are:
The child’s comfort level
The child’s goals
Emotional safety
Choice and flexibility
How to Talk About Fluency with Children Using empowering, choice-based language matters:
“Want to try a smooth start here?”
“Do you want to pull out of that word?”
“This is just one tool—you decide when to use it.”
Avoid correcting speech publicly or forcing strategy use.
A Final Reminder
Fluency strategies are supports, not expectations.
Confidence, self-advocacy, and comfort with communication are just as important as fluency. A child who feels good about their speech—even when they stutter—is making meaningful progress.
The goal is not perfect speech.
The goal is confident, empowered communication.
Author: Amber Drew, C-SLPA