Pediatric Therapy for Fluency Disorders in Buford, GA
Does your child struggle to get their words out smoothly? Fluency disorders, such as stuttering or cluttering, can make communication feel frustrating or even overwhelming for kids. This can impact their confidence, school participation, and social interactions. Thankfully, speech therapy is a practical and fun solution that can make a huge difference.
At TLC Therapy Services, we understand the challenges that children with fluency disorders face. Our team is here to provide the guidance and support your child needs to build stronger speech skills so they can share their thoughts with confidence.
What Is a Fluency Disorder?
A fluency disorder is a speech condition where the natural flow of speech is involuntarily interrupted. This can make it difficult for a child to get their full thoughts out in words easily.
Two common types of fluency disorders are:
- Stuttering: repetitions, stops, or prolongations (holding) of sounds or words
- Cluttering: rapid, irregular speech that can be difficult to understand
These disruptions can vary in frequency and intensity, and can depend on the situation the child is in or whether or not they feel comfortable.
Common Symptoms of Fluency Disorders
Fluency disorders can present in different ways, but here are some common signs to look for:
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words (e.g., “b-b-ball”)
- Prolonging sounds (e.g., “ssssstop”)
- Difficulty starting words or sentences
- Pauses or blocks during speech where no sound comes out
- Rapid or irregular speech that is hard to follow
- Physical signs of struggle, like blinking or tension in the face or body during speech
- Avoiding speaking in certain situations out of fear or embarrassment
What Causes Fluency Disorders?
Fluency disorders are relatively common in children and can arise from a variety of factors. While there’s no single known cause, a family history of fluency disorders may be a contributing factor. In many cases, fluency disorders are developmental and can improve with early intervention and speech therapy.
How Our Pediatric Therapists Can Treat Fluency Disorders
At TLC Therapy Services, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care to help children with fluency disorders overcome their challenges. We’ll start with a thorough assessment to determine your child’s specific challenges. Then we’ll create a therapy plan designed to meet your child’s unique needs through proven strategies to improve their fluency and boost their confidence.
Your child’s treatment may include:
- Breath Control Techniques: to help them learn to coordinate their speech with their breathing
- Teaching New Strategies: so your child has practical tools they can use on an immediate basis to help them in daily life
- Engaging Practice: to give your child the chance to work on their speech skills through games and other activities that are fun and supportive
- Parent Education: to give parents tools to support your child’s communication at home
Schedule an Evaluation Today
If your child struggles with fluency, our expert speech therapists at TLC Therapy Services can help!
Give us a call at (770) 696-6649 to schedule an evaluation today, and let’s work together to support your child in finding their voice.