How to access speech & language therapy for a child or teenager who stammers (also known as stutters).
If you've read If Your Child Is Stammering and you're still worried, or if your child is distressed, you can get help from a speech & language therapist, either on the NHS or privately.
See below and if you'd like to talk about anything, call our free helpline on 0808 802 0002 or start a webchat.
NHS therapy
You can get free stammering therapy for children and teenagers through the NHS. This is usually one-to-one therapy with a qualified speech & language therapist.
Finding a therapist
In most cases, you can make an appointment with an NHS therapist without going to your GP. Here's how to find contact details:
- Phone our free helpline on 0808 802 0002 or start a webchat. Or, email help@stamma.org
- Or, search online. Search for 'Child NHS stammering therapy + your local town/city'.
Getting someone to refer you
Another way is to ask your child's doctor, nursery/school or health visitor to refer you.
Some services only accept referrals via your child's school. If so, contact the school and ask to speak to its 'Special Educational Needs Coordinator' (SENCO).
Other options
There might be a waiting list for NHS therapy, depending on where you live. Sadly, a few places don't offer therapy at all.
If you've been told either of these things, don't worry, there are other options you can try:
The Michael Palin Centre
The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering has a helpline where you can get advice from a specialist speech & language therapist. Give them a call on 0203 316 8100.
They also offer a charitably funded assessment for 2- to 18-year-olds. This includes tailored advice and recommendations for you and your child.
See the Michael Palin Centre website for details.
Plus, they also provide one-to-one therapy and group courses in London.
Private therapy
Another option is to seek private speech & language therapy, but it's not free.
Find a qualified private therapist near you: search on the Association for Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice website. Or phone them on 0203 002 3704.
On their site, look on the therapists' profiles to see if they work with children who stammer, as some don't, or ask them over the phone.
We're building a list of Private SLTs who work with people who stammer, with reviews from our members.
How much is private therapy?
Sessions with a private therapist vary but may range between £70 and £125. This depends on the therapist's experience, what's included, or on regional variation.
The first session is likely to be more expensive. This is because they'll spend extra time gathering information.
More about one-to-one therapy
Wondering what speech & language therapy involves? See:
What else can I do?
- If your child is aged 10 or older, you could book them onto a group stammering course. See what courses are available.
- Chat with other parents: come to one of our Parent 2 Parent online support groups.
- Read articles from other parents.
- Become a STAMMA member for free and join the community.
- Get more involved. Find an event, fundraise, share your story, volunteer, take part in research and more.
Donate & make a difference
Creating this page was only possible thanks to your kind donations.
Please consider making a donation to STAMMA. You'll be helping us to:
- keep our support services running for people who stammer and worried parents
- put on workshops and support groups
- stage events to bring people together
- create guides for teachers and employers
- create our award-winning campaigns for change.
Thank you.
