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Led by Dr Lauren Crumlish (PhD) Led by Dr Lauren Crumlish (PhD), Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
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Stuttering Therapy

Stuttering Therapy For Children And Teens

Stuttering therapy supports children whose flow of speech is interrupted, from young children who have recently started to stutter to school-aged children and teenagers. Dr Lauren Crumlish (PhD) is trained in the Lidcombe Program for early stuttering and works with children and their parents online.

  • Dr Lauren Crumlish, PhD, Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
  • Trained in the Lidcombe Program for early stuttering
  • Online sessions with a parent taking part
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When it is typical

Many young children go through a disfluent stage

It is common for children to become disfluent around two to three years of age, when spoken language is growing quickly. Parents often notice it alongside a burst of new words and sentences, as speech and language expand from joining words to full sentences.

Sometimes this is typical, and sometimes it is not. When stuttering lasts, grows more noticeable, or comes with extra movements or a fear of talking, it is time for a second opinion.

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Signs To Look For

When To Have Your Child's Stuttering Assessed

These are the signs Dr Lauren lists in her own article on stuttering in children. Any one of them is a reason to seek an assessment.

  • Your child has been stuttering for more than three months

  • The stutter has become more noticeable over time

  • There is a family history of stuttering

  • Your child blinks, moves their face or body, or shows other extra movements when stuttering

  • Your child is avoiding talking or becoming fearful of speaking

  • You are concerned and would like a second opinion

How Dr Lauren Approaches Stuttering

Young children: the Lidcombe Program

For young children who stutter, Dr Lauren uses Lidcombe-based treatment. The Lidcombe Program is a parent-based program for early stuttering: parents are central to the treatment, guided by Dr Lauren. Within it she considers the speech, language, emotional, social and physical factors affecting a child's fluency, and tailors therapy so that fluency carries across different situations.

The Lidcombe Program is one of the approaches that gives some guidance on how long treatment is likely to take, though each child still varies. Dr Lauren explains the factors in how long speech therapy takes.

School-aged children and teenagers

For older children and teenagers who stutter, therapy is planned around the child's own goals, at school and with friends.

Read more in Dr Lauren's article My child is stuttering, should I be worried?

Online Sessions

What Therapy Involves, And Your Part In It

Sessions are held online by secure video. With young children, a parent takes an active part.

  1. Assessment

    Dr Lauren assesses your child's fluency and the speech, language, emotional and social factors around it.

  2. Sessions by video

    Therapy sessions are 45 minutes, held online, with a parent taking part alongside Dr Lauren.

  3. Practice in everyday life

    Treatment carries on between sessions in everyday situations, so fluency can carry across different settings.

  4. Progress reviews

    Dr Lauren tracks your child's progress and adjusts the plan as their speech changes.

Fees

Fees For Therapy And Assessment

The Short Assessment is the one recommended for stuttering. Ongoing therapy is charged per session.

Therapy

Treatment Session

Per 45-minute session + administration

$193

Matching assessment

  • $590

    Short Assessment

    Late talkers, stuttering and speech clarity difficulties

Medicare rebates are available with a GP referral. Private health and NDIS (self-managed or plan-managed) can also apply. See full pricing

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Questions Parents Ask

Answers Before You Apply

Is it normal for my toddler to stutter?

It can be. Disfluency is common around two to three, when language is growing quickly. If it lasts more than three months, becomes more noticeable, or comes with extra movements or a fear of talking, it is time for an assessment.

Can the Lidcombe Program be done online?

Yes. Dr Lauren's sessions are held online, and research she has summarised on this site reports that the Lidcombe Program has been delivered by telehealth as well as face to face.

What is my role as a parent?

The Lidcombe Program is parent-based, so a parent takes part in sessions and carries the treatment into everyday life with Dr Lauren's guidance.

How long does stuttering treatment take?

It depends on the child. Lidcombe-based treatment gives some guidance on likely duration, though each child varies, and the consistency of sessions and practice at home also play a part.

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A child reaches for a pink teddy bear placed on a table next to a rainbow-shaped wooden toy. Framed floral artwork is visible in the background. A person with curly hair smiles while wearing a white t-shirt and headphones. They are seated indoors with a light-colored background. A young girl with long blond hair and a light purple shirt smiles while sitting on a couch, gesturing with her hand. A woman and a young boy sit outside on a blanket. The woman shows the boy an object, and they both focus on it intently. The background is grassy and blurred.
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Work With Dr Lauren

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Dr Lauren works with a small number of families and has limited availability. Tell us about your child to be considered.

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  • Evidence-Based Techniques
  • Comprehensive Assessments
  • Experienced Professionals
  • Child-Centred Care
Speech Clinic

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