Adult & Teen Stuttering Therapy
The Speech and Stuttering Institute offers individual therapy, weekly group therapy, and intensive group therapy for adults and teens who stutter. Stuttering therapy is currently being offered in person and online via Zoom. Our Intensive Fluency Plus Program is internationally recognized and is offered in only few clinics around the world. Individuals are seen for an initial screening evaluation prior to enrollment in one of our programs to discuss your personal goals and determine which program/therapy approach is best suited to your needs.
Our treatment approach is founded upon more than 35 years of research and experience in the area of stuttering. Since 1975, we have provided therapy for over 4,000 individuals who stutter (ranging from 2-85 years of age) from across Canada and various countries around the world. The Fluency Plus Program, an evidence-based approach to stuttering treatment, was developed here at The Speech and Stuttering Institute. As a result of the program’s success, it has been published, and is now widely used by Speech-Language Pathologists across the province who have been through the Institute’s training program.
Click here to view an inspiring video (from a graduate of our intensive therapy program)
Click here for a printable info sheet on this program
**Upcoming Program Starting March 2024: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy For People Who Stutter**
For most clients, increased fluency and confidence are common goals. Treatment typically follows our Fluency Plus Program, a program that teaches a set of fluency-enhancing and cognitive restructuring techniques to improve fluency and reduce anxiety/negative thoughts related to speaking. Transfer of fluency techniques to every day speaking situations and long term maintenance planning are important components treatment. Treatment is tailored to clients’ specific needs. In cases where fluency is not the goal, individual treatment may follow a different approach, focusing more on improving confidence and acceptance of stuttering.
The results of our approach to stuttering treatment can often be quite dramatic. Through systematic methods of tracking of clients’ progress in therapy, we have found that over 90% of participants significantly improve both fluency and confidence levels following treatment. We pride ourselves on delivering the most effective, up-to-date, and evidence-based treatment for stuttering.
Click here to view an inspiring video (from a graduate of our intensive program)
The Intensive Fluency Plus Program is designed for individuals 14 years of age to adult. It is unique in that it provides clients with a special opportunity to meet and connect with others who stutter in a supportive environment. The intensive nature of practice yields quite dramatic improvements in both speech fluency and confidence.
This three week program requires attendance 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Home assignments are given at the end of each day and on weekends therefore it is essential that the participants be fairly free of other responsibilities and commitments. Following the intensive 3 week period, 17 one-hour group maintenance sessions are offered on a weekly, bi-weekly and then monthly basis for the remainder of the year to support consolidation of fluency skills.
Upcoming Intensive Program Dates
- July 3-21, 2023- ONLINE teen/adult group
Click here for a program flyer
In this group treatment program, individuals are seen on a weekly basis for 20 consecutive weeks. This is followed by four maintenance sessions on a bi-weekly and then monthly basis to facilitate consolidation of fluency skills. These programs typically run at least twice a year depending on interest. Space is limited to a maximum of 6 participants per group. Groups are currently running both in person and online via Zoom.
Contact us to find out when the next adult group will be offered.
Individual therapy is currently being offered both in person and via Zoom, our secure video conference platform. Sessions are offered on a weekly basis, for 45 minutes to 1 hour each week.
Due to regulations from the Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO), we are only able to offer speech therapy via video conference to Ontario residents or those residing in Ontario during the course of therapy.
To make a referral for an adult or teen, please contact Marni Kinder, Speech-Language Pathologist at:
Tel: 416-491-7771 ext. 235 Fax: 416-491-7215 Email: marnik@speechandstuttering.com
Adult individuals can self-refer, or referrals (for either children and adults) can be made by a family member, teacher, or a health care professional.
Referrals can be made by phone, email, fax or mail. Once a referral has been received, the person’s name will be added to our assessment wait list. Wait times vary at this time but it is typically no more than 1-2 weeks for an initial evaluation.
We ask that referrals include the following information:
- Client’s name
- Date of Birth
- Mailing address
- Phone numbers
- Email address
- Previous professional reports (if available)
- Referral source (how you heard about our program)
For program information, please contact
Marni Kinder, Speech-Language Pathologist:
Tel: (416) 491-7771 ext. 235
marnik@speechandstuttering.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, our stuttering therapy programs are frequently covered by private health insurance plans. All therapy sessions are run by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (registered with the College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists of Ontario). It is best to contact your insurance provider directly to find out the details of your plan. Keep in mind the start and end dates of your therapy program (e.g., Intensive therapy runs for a 3 week period, followed by 17 follow-up sessions that often run into the next calendar year). The following questions may be helpful to ask:
- How much coverage do I have for speech therapy per year? (most plans cover anywhere from $300 – $1500 per year)
- Is there a limit to the amount of coverage per session?
- When does the insurance year start and end? (e.g., most plans run from January until December, however some plans follow a different schedule)
- Do I need a doctor’s referral? (some insurance plans require a doctor’s referral in order to be eligible to reimbursement for services provided)
The Speech and Stuttering Institute is a non-profit organization. Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify. Clients requesting financial assistance are asked to contact the Institute for a subsidy request application form. To be considered for any assistance, this application must be submitted along with documents including proof of income (e.g., Canada Revenue Notice of Assessment Form).
For clients who do not qualify for financial assistance, a payment plan is always an option. A deposit is typically required to reserve your space in any one of our group therapy programs. The balance of fees may be paid in monthly installments by pre-authorized credit card payments. If a payment plan is requested, this must be discussed and set with your clinician, before starting any therapy program.
It is never too late to seek help for your speech. We have treated many adults clients with high levels of success. In our experience, we have found that motivation (not age) is the strongest predictor of success in any fluency treatment program
Very likely! More than 90% of clients attending our treatment programs have achieved significant improvements in both fluency, confidence and comfort communicating in daily speaking situations post-treatment. Clients with high levels of motivation tend to achieve the best results.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for stuttering, however speech therapy techniques can significantly help to manage stuttering. Through the use a techniques to control stuttering, clients generally feel less anxious about speaking and more willing to participate in speaking situations that were avoided in the past.
Although group therapy is not for everyone, for most adults and teens who stutter, group therapy is the preferred choice of treatment. Group therapy enables clients to meet and practice with others who stutter, in a supportive environment, without any judgement. Group therapy allows for more real life practice situations and increased acceptance of the new fluent speaking pattern learned.
There are two general approaches to stuttering treatment:
- Fluency Shaping focuses on teaching clients a set of physical techniques to replace stuttered speech with a new fluent pattern of speaking. More emphasis is placed on fluency enhancing strategies than on reduction of fear or anxiety related to speaking.
- Stuttering Modifcation focuses less on fluency, and more on reducing the severity and fear of stuttering, through helping clients deal with these emotions. This approach teaches techniques to make stuttering moments smoother, shorter, and less tense.
Our stuttering clinicians are educated in many different approaches to stuttering treatment. The approach to treatment is determined at the time of initial evaluation (based on the specific client’s needs and goals).
The Fluency Plus Program is our most popular approach to stuttering treatment for adults and teens. This approach combines fluency shaping with stuttering modification techniques to not only improve fluency of speech, but reduce anxiety related to speaking and improve confidence in various speaking situations. Clients are taught fluency shaping techniques to learn a new, fluent pattern of speaking. Cognitive restructuring techniques are also taught to reduce speech related anxiety that so often accompanies a person who stutters.
No, there is no evidence to suggest that stuttering is caused by anxiety. However, stuttering itself often leads to significant anxiety (related to past experiences with the stuttering itself or anticipation of “difficult” words or sounds). The anticipatory anxiety often increases muscle tension, which in turn, exacerbates stuttering. The more a person stutters, the more anxious he/she may feel about it, thus increasing the stuttering and creating a vicious cycle. Speech therapy aims to reduce this cycle of stuttering and anxiety.