Our Approach: Building Confidence, Participation, and Strong Communication — At Every Age

 

Stuttering during the school years can feel very different than in preschool.

For school-age children and teenagers, stuttering often becomes more visible — and more personal.

It can affect:

• Classroom participation

• Friendships

• Presentations

• Sports and extracurricular activities

• Identity development

• Self-confidence

 

At the Coleman Stuttering Center, we support students not just in speaking — but in participating fully.

 

How Stuttering Impacts School-Age Children & Teens

 

As children grow, they become more aware of their speech difference. They may begin to:

• Avoid raising their hand

• Substitute words

• Avoid reading aloud

• Feel embarrassed during introductions

• Experience teasing or interruptions

• Withdraw socially

• Over-monitor their speech

• Believe they are “bad at talking”

T

eenagers, especially, may internalize these experiences. Many families tell us:

“My child knows exactly when they’re stuttering — and it’s affecting their confidence.” We help address both the speech and the experience.

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We believe therapy must evolve as children grow. For this age group, we focus on:

 

Speech Skills Development

• Reducing physical tension

• Increasing speech flexibility

• Learning stuttering modification tools

• Developing voluntary stuttering for confidence

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Reducing Avoidance

• Identifying word-switching patterns

• Increasing participation in class

• Gradual exposure to feared speaking situations

 

Emotional Support

• Talking openly about stuttering

• Building resilience

• Addressing teasing experiences

• Reducing shame

 

Advocacy & Self-Expression

• Teaching students how to explain stuttering

• Practicing classroom disclosure

• Coaching self-advocacy for IEP/504 support

 

Therapy for Teenagers

 

Teen years bring unique challenges:

• Identity formation

• Peer perception

• Dating

• College preparation

• Increased academic demands

 

Our teen-focused therapy includes:

• Presentation coaching

• Social confidence building

• Leadership participation

• Interview preparation

• Self-advocacy training

• Identity development work

 

We help teens move from hiding stuttering to understanding it.

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What Success Looks Like

 

Success is not “perfect speech.” Success looks like:

• Raising your hand even if you stutter

• Reading aloud without panic

• Introducing yourself confidently

• Participating in group projects

• Trying out for leadership roles

• Feeling proud rather than ashamed

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Participation is the goal.

 

Addressing Teasing & Bullying

 

Unfortunately, some children who stutter experience teasing. We help students:

• Develop assertive responses

• Build emotional regulation skills

• Strengthen confidence

• Reframe negative experiences

 

We also work with families and schools when needed to ensure supportive environments.

 

Working With Schools

 

We collaborate with:

• Classroom teachers

• School speech-language pathologists

• Administrators

 

We provide guidance for:

• IEP/504 accommodations

• Classroom participation planning

• Presentation support

• Anti-bullying education

 

Communication is a shared responsibility.

 

What to Expect in an Evaluation

 

A school-age or teen evaluation includes:

• Speech assessment

• Avoidance pattern identification

• Emotional impact discussion

• Participation mapping

• School communication demands

• Goal-setting with the student

 

We involve the student actively in goal setting — because ownership matters.

 

When to Seek Support

 

Consider therapy if your child:

• Avoids speaking in class

• Shows frustration or embarrassment

• Reports teasing

• Avoids social participation

• Declines presentation opportunities

• Feels anxious before speaking

• Switches words frequently

 

It is never “too late” to support communication growth.

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Helping Students Find Their Voice

 

Stuttering does not define your child’s potential.

With the right support, children and teens who stutter can:

• Lead

• Advocate

• Participate

• Connect

• Thrive