Preschool Program (Ages 1-5)
Each family starts with an initial consultation to develop a personalized intervention plan. Some very young children will benefit from parent counselling and a period of monitoring, while other families will begin a home treatment program right away. For children in need of comprehensive treatment, our evidence-based approaches include Palin PCI, Lidcombe, fluency skills, and a deep understanding of the individualized needs of children who stutter and their families.
With more than 25 years of clinical experience, we are currently commissioned by the Ontario government to train other Speech-Language Pathologists in the area of preschool stuttering. Our treatments are largely provided online by Zoom and are available to all families in Ontario.
All families begin with an initial consultation. This is our opportunity to:
● evaluate your child’s particular needs and risk factors for persistent stuttering
● provide you with information and treatment recommendations
● recommend some helpful things you can begin to do right away to help your child at home
Prior to the initial consultation families are invited to complete an intake questionnaire and provide a video sample of your child stuttering at home. A parent handbook with helpful suggestions will be sent to families as well.
There are many different approaches to helping your child with their stuttering. Your SLP will advise you on the best option for your child.
Counseling and Monitoring
● Develop a home program based on your child’s specific needs
● Receive ongoing clinical support and monitoring of progress by phone, email, or in-clinic
Palin Parent-Child Interaction Approach
● Learn and refine home treatment strategies during approximately 6 weekly sessions followed by approximately 6 weeks of clinical support by phone
Lidcombe Program for young children
● A behavioural approach to stuttering treatment based on parent feedback
● Typical treatment time is 12-20 weeks followed by structured maintenance support
Supplementation with Fluency Skills
● You and your child learn skills for breathing, pausing, voicing, or mouth movements to support fluency. Parents learn to support skills in day to day speech
School Age Program (Ages 6-13)
We offer individual and group programs in person and online via Zoom. Clients and families are seen for an initial evaluation to discuss personal goals and to determine the treatment plan best suited to their needs. Our approach to treatment is based on research, decades of experience, and a deep understanding of how to shape fluency while building positive feelings about communication. The best treatment outcomes are achieved with consistent attendance, regular home practice, and parent participation.
During this 60-minute appointment, A Speech-Language Pathologist may complete some or all of the following:
- Review your child’s case history
- Evaluate stuttering severity and its effects on your child’s life
- Assess your child’s readiness to participate in a treatment program
- Individual treatment (45 minute weekly sessions, 16 weeks)
- Parents/caregivers participate in the sessions
- Individual treatment (45 minute – 1 hour sessions, typically 20-24 weeks)
- Weekly group treatment (1.5 hours/week, 20 weeks + 4 follow-up sessions)
- Virtual Group: Begins early 2026 (Space is limited to 4 participants)
- Summer Intensive group treatment (Monday-Friday, 9am – 12pm for 3 weeks + 9 one-hour follow-ups)
- Virtual Group: July 2026 (Space is limited to 6 participants)
July 2026 (virtual group)
Email info@speechandstuttering.com for more information.
- 3-week school-age intensive therapy program
- Up to 6 participants
- Mondays through Fridays
- 9:00am – 12:00pm
- 9 one-hour virtual group follow up sessions on a monthly basis throughout the year