MS, CCC-SLP
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Speech Therapy for Children and Adults in Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and surrounding Illinois areas and online across Illinois, New York, and New Jersey
224-704-0790
Stuttering Therapy for Children near Skokie, IL
& surrounding Illinois areas
Online & In-Person
Hi, my name is Stephanie Jeret, and I’m a speech-language pathologist specializing in stuttering therapy for children, teenagers, and adults.
If your child is feeling frustrated, embarrassed, or anxious about their stuttering, I understand, and I’m here to help. My goal is to provide compassionate and effective therapy to help children and teenagers find their own voice and speak more smoothly. As a speech-language pathologist, I assess speech and language issues and offer tailored treatment methods to meet individual needs.
​Early intervention is crucial when a child stutters. It can significantly improve their ability to manage stuttering effectively and enhance their communication skills.
​I work with clients to develop personalized strategies and techniques to reduce stuttering and build confidence in their communication skills. I am committed to supporting their journey to stress-free speech.
​If you’re ready to help your child improve their speech and confidence, schedule a complimentary consultation with me today. Together, we can enhance their communication skills and overall well-being.
My Approach to Stuttering Therapy for Children and Teenagers
Stuttering affects many kids and teens. While some speech disfluency is normal, persistent stuttering can make it hard for them to express themselves confidently, impacting their self-esteem and social interactions. If you are concerned about your child's stuttering, I’m here to help.
Today's pressure to communicate a certain way can make stuttering even more stressful. But don’t worry—you’re not alone. I’m here to support you and your child through this.
Imagine if your child or teen could speak confidently without worrying about stuttering. Think about how much better their relationships and social interactions could be as they learn to manage their speech. With the right support, they can reach their goals and feel empowered.
If you’re looking for friendly and effective stuttering therapy nearby, you’ve come to the right place. Stuttering therapy helps identify the causes of stuttering, teaches helpful techniques to improve fluency, and develops a more confident approach to communication.
During stuttering therapy, I work with preschoolers and their parents to identify and modify situations that may stress the child’s speech and language system. I also work directly with the child to improve their speech fluency.
For school-aged children and teenagers, I take a holistic approach to stuttering treatment. This includes education about stuttering and creating awareness of the individual’s stuttering pattern. Techniques to manage stuttering are taught and practiced in role-playing scenarios to reduce fear and avoidance and generalize skills into everyday life.
Throughout therapy, we address thoughts and feelings as they directly impact both the individual and their speech. We incorporate principles of Avoidance Reduction Therapy (ART) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to promote successful outcomes.
In addition, I work closely with schools to educate staff and students about stuttering and how to support students who stutter. This includes raising awareness about stuttering and implementing strategies to prevent bullying. I also help parents understand how to advocate for their child at school and address any bullying issues that may arise. By working together with schools and parents, I aim to create a supportive environment that helps children who stutter feel more confident and succeed in their communication.
Contact me today to schedule a free consultation. Let’s start your child or teenager on the path to speaking with greater ease and confidence. I’m excited to support you and your family on this journey!
Stuttering Therapy for Children FAQ
“Stuttering” is more commonly used in American English, while “stammering” is used more often in British English. Both terms refer to a speech disorder characterized by involuntary repetitions, prolongations, or blocks. This can occur on a sound, syllable, word, or phrase.
I've Heard About Stuttering & Stammering, but What's the Difference?
What Exactly is Stuttering (or Stammering)?
Stuttering, also known as stammering, is a speech disorder that impacts individuals of all ages. While those who stutter may know what they want to say, they experience difficulty in expressing themselves verbally. At its core, stuttering is a motoric issue that can develop into a communication disorder, leading to avoidance of certain situations such as ordering food at a restaurant or participating at school. The pattern and severity of stuttering can vary from person to person or day to day. It is important to note that these fluctuations are a normal part of stuttering.
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Repetition of sounds, syllables, or words in a sentence (also called a repetition)
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Having a hard time getting a sound out (also called a block)
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Drawing a sound out (also called a prolongation)
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Avoiding certain words or situations that they find challenging to articulate
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Physical movements such as eye blinking, head nodding/turning, pen tapping
These signs and symptoms can significantly impact an individual’s ability to communicate effectively and may require intervention to manage.
Curious about Stuttering? Here's What You Might Notice...
Wondering if Young Children Commonly Stutter?
It is common for children between the ages of 2 and 6 to go through periods of disfluency, but if certain risk factors are present, it increases the likelihood for stuttering to continue. These risk factors include:
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Gender: stuttering is more likely to persist in boys than girls
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Age: stuttering is more likely to continue in children who began stuttering at age 3.5 years or older
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Family history: a family history of stuttering increase the likelihood the child will stutter
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When Should I Think About Speech Therapy for My Child Who Stutters?
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​has been stuttering for 6 to 12 months or longer
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began stuttering at age 3.5 or older
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stutters more frequently than previously
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has a family history of stuttering
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shows tension or struggle when speaking
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avoids situations that require speaking
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​Stuttering is a neurologically-based disorder which impairs an individual’s ability to time and sequence the underlying movements necessary for speech.
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Stuttering is genetic. In fact, research has identified some of the genes that play a role in stuttering.
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The exact causes of stuttering remain unclear. Ongoing research will continue to shed light on this complex disorder and offer hope for effective treatment and management.
Why does my Child Stutter?
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Although there is no definitive cure for stuttering, there is a greater chance of recovery for young children. As a certified practitioner of the Lidcombe Program, I specialize in treating young children who stutter.
While stuttering cannot always be cured, it can be managed and not have an impact on your child's quality of life.
Can Stuttering be Fixed?
Speech Therapy for Children who Stutter Near Skokie, Illinois
At my Skokie, Illinois speech therapy practice, I offer in-home speech therapy for children who stutter who live near Skokie, Highland Park, Wilmette, Evanston, Morton Grove, and West Rogers Park.
Online Speech Therapy for Children who Stutter Throughout Illinois, New York, & New Jersey
I offer virtual speech therapy for children who stutter throughout Illinois, New York, and New Jersey.
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​Understanding how stuttering impacts the daily lives of children is crucial. Timely intervention by speech-language pathologists can help manage speech issues effectively, reducing anxiety in various speaking situations and encouraging the pursuit of support groups and resources related to stuttering management.
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Throughout my career, I have encountered numerous clients who stutter and have unfortunately had negative experiences with speech therapy in the past. I want to assure you that this should not deter you from seeking assistance. I invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation to explore how I can support your loved one in achieving your communication goals.
Stuttering can make your child feel like they are constantly battling to find their voice. Help them stop struggling and start speaking freely.
Begin Speech Therapy for your Child Who Stutters in Illinois, New York, or New Jersey
PHONE CONSULTATION
First, you’ll speak to the owner of Speak with Stephanie. She will answer your questions, and we will discuss your concerns.
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SCHEDULE A STUTTERING EVALUATION
Book a stuttering evaluation. The evaluation may take several sessions to allow for a more through understanding of your needs and abilities. After the evaluation, we will build a custom speech therapy program specific to your needs.
SPEECH THERAPY FOR STUTTERING
We'll partner together to achieve your goals through 30, 45, or 60 minute sessions!
Additional Speech Therapy Services for Children Near Skokie, Illinois at Speak with Stephanie
As a specialist in speech and language disorders, our Skokie practice provides a range of additional speech therapy services for children. We specialize in addressing language disorders and challenges producing speech sounds (articulation disorders), offering comprehensive support to help your child improve their communication skills. At Speak with Stephanie, we are committed to providing personalized care tailored to each child's unique needs.
Certifications Completed
The Lidcombe Program is a behavioral treatment for children who stutter under 6 years of age (may be suitable for some older children). Treatment focuses on a combination of therapy sessions and parental day-to-day observations to ultimately either remove the stutter entirely or reach an extremely low level. Find out more.