More than speech: how stuttering support builds confidence and connection

For many people who stutter, including me, the hardest part isn’t always the stuttering itself. It’s not being able to say what you want to say, when you want to say it. It’s wondering if someone will think you’re less capable, or just nervous. It can even be missing out on opportunities and experiences because speaking up feels like too much.

As a speech pathologist, and as someone with lived experience of stuttering, I’ve seen this from both sides. In this article, I want to explain what might prompt someone to seek stuttering support, what a more holistic approach can offer and how to take the next step for yourself, your child or someone you’re supporting professionally.

Stuttering looks different for everyone

How stuttering shows up for you is unique to your context and experiences. But what is common for many people who stutter is that the challenges it presents go well beyond speech.

If you stutter you might notice:

• speech feels harder in the moments that matter, like a class discussion, a job interview or meeting someone new
• you avoid situations like raising your hand, going for a promotion or a first date because of how your speech might come across
• you worry people will think you’re nervous, or less capable, because of how you speak
• stuttering is influencing future study, job or career choices
• friendships or activities that used to feel fun now feel like a lot of effort.

In a child or young person, you might also notice that they:

• avoid reading aloud or answering questions in class
• go quiet in group settings, or are becoming more withdrawn
• say they’re worried about what friends or classmates think.

Knowing when to seek stuttering support

Moments like these can leave you feeling unsure whether it’s something worth raising. Often people, families and professionals wait, hoping things will resolve on their own. Or they worry that bringing it up will make it feel like a bigger deal than it is.

Also, stuttering can change day to day, depending on the setting and who you’re with. It might be more noticeable when you’re tired or excited and less noticeable at other times. That can make it even harder to know whether to seek support.

But it doesn’t mean it’s not worth looking into. It’s part of what makes stuttering hard to understand, both for the person experiencing it and for the people around them.

Asking for support doesn’t mean something is wrong

If stuttering is affecting confidence, self-esteem or your ability to do the things you want, it’s worth reaching out for support. It’s the best way to get some clarity around what’s happening and what support might help.

You don’t need a referral to get in touch with the MTHC Speech Pathology team. We can help you understand what’s involved and find the right fit, whether that’s with us or somewhere else.

If you’re a GP, psychologist, educator or another referral supporting someone who stutters, the same applies. You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out. A short conversation with our team is often enough to work out the next steps.

What stuttering support looks like at MTHC

Traditional stuttering support typically focuses on speech techniques and managing stuttering moments. At MTHC we take a more holistic approach.

Our stuttering support is co-designed by speech pathologists and psychologists. That means practical, speech-based strategies sit alongside support for the thoughts and feelings that often come with stuttering. Across everything we offer, we focus on 3 things:

• Speech: practical strategies for moments of stuttering
• Confidence and communication: including body language and connecting with others
• The psychological side: understanding how thoughts, feelings, identity and acceptance can shape someone’s experience of stuttering

The goal isn’t to eliminate stuttering. For many people, managing stuttering well is a more realistic and useful goal than trying to remove it altogether. We focus on what can get easier around confidence, connection and having more choice in how you communicate.

Built on lived experience

With a design and delivery team that includes speech pathologists and psychologists who stutter, lived experience has shaped our approach to stuttering support.

We know that stuttering isn’t just about speech mechanics. It’s about the confidence to speak up, the relief of being understood and the value of connecting with others who understand what it’s like to stutter.

Many people who stutter reach adulthood having never met another person who stutters. We wanted to build something that changes that.

A University of Melbourne collaboration

MTHC’s stuttering support service is a collaboration with the University of Melbourne’s Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology. It connects our clinical work to ongoing teaching, clinical training and research, so the thinking behind this service keeps evolving alongside current evidence.

It’s also part of why we’re able to run a linked research study exploring what support works best for young people and young adults who stutter.

Find stuttering support that suits best

We offer support in a few different ways. Getting in contact lets us help you choose the service that’s the best fit.

Group sessions

For young people who stutter, we run relaxed after-school drop-in groups and an intensive school holiday program.

Drop-in sessions are a lighter, more social introduction. They’re a chance to meet other young people who stutter and see what group support feels like.

The intensive program goes deeper. Over 5 consecutive days it combines structured practice with time to connect. Joining a drop-in group first isn’t required, but you might find it a helpful way to see if group support is right for you before making a bigger commitment.

The groups are generously supported by a philanthropic gift from Channel Foundation. Both are currently offered for young people aged 12 to 18. We’re also collecting expressions of interest from young adults for future groups.

Individual sessions

One-to-one sessions with a speech pathologist are available for people of any age. It’s a good option if you’d like dedicated time with a clinician and at your own pace.

You can find current program details, including how to register, on our stuttering support page.

Help shape future support for people who stutter

Alongside the intensive group program, we’re running a research study looking at what support works best for young people and young adults who stutter. There’s currently limited evidence for this age group and the research aims to help close that gap.

Taking part is entirely optional. It won’t affect anyone’s place in the program either way. We’ll share more detail during your assessment. If you have questions about the study, you can contact me directly at sarah.horton@unimelb.edu.au.

Not sure where to start?

Trust your instincts. You know more about your specific experience and needs than anyone else.

You can start by:

• Talking with someone you trust – a GP, psychologist, teacher or school wellbeing staff member can be a good sounding board.
• Connecting with the stuttering community – organisations like SAY:AU and STUTTA are run by and for people who stutter and can be a valuable source of peer support and information.
• Contacting MTHC Speech Pathology –you don’t need a referral. You can call or fill in our online enquiry form, and someone from our team will get back to you.

What to expect when you get in touch

For drop-in sessions, we’ll have a short phone conversation to check it’s a good fit. For the intensive program, we’ll arrange a more detailed assessment, either online or in person. This gives us a clearer picture of what would help most. It’s also when we’ll talk through the research study, if that’s relevant to you.

For individual sessions, we’ll arrange an initial appointment in the same way as any other MTHC Speech Pathology service.

We don’t exclude people based on a diagnosis or a co-occurring condition. The main thing we’re checking is that you’ll be able to understand what’s covered in sessions and take part in a way that works for you.

And you don’t need to have decided which option is right before you get in touch. We can help you work that out.

Ready to take the next step towards stuttering support?

If any of this sounds familiar for yourself, your child, or someone you’re supporting, please get in touch. You can call us on 03 9035 7199, email speech-clinic@unimelb.edu.au, or visit our stuttering support page to find out more.

Dr Sarah Horton is a speech pathologist and researcher with expertise and lived experience in stuttering. She co-designed the stuttering support program and is leading the associated research study, delivered through a collaboration between MTHC Speech Pathology and the University of Melbourne Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology.

MTHC is where healthcare, education and research come together. We are a subsidiary of the University of Melbourne, offering a range of services to support people across different needs and stages of life.

By Dr Sarah Horton