If you've decided to start treatment, the Speech Pathologist will want to know some information about your stuttering. She/he will also ask you to describe your stuttering and will want to know when you stutter and how it affects you. The Speech Pathologist will also want to see and hear what you do when you stutter.

The Speech Pathologist measures the amount of stuttering present in a sample of your speech, e.g. during a conversation and/or reading. The Speech Pathologist will count the number of syllables you speak and will also count the syllables stuttered. She/he will work out the percentage of stuttering present in your speech. This sample is also used to help measure how your speech has changed after you've had treatment.

Aims of Treatment

The Speech Pathologist will probably ask you what you want from treatment. The aims of treatment for stuttering generally are to:

• Improve your fluency and reduce stuttering
• Help you cope in situations where you may feel worried about talking
• Use your new fluency techniques in all your everyday talking situations
• Stay fluent after treatment ends

You may have your own questions for the speech pathologist.

Your Questions for the Speech Pathologist

The Speech Pathologist
will welcome your questions! Here are some questions you may have:

• How will you treat stuttering?
• How long will it take?
• Has treatment worked for other people?
• Will the treatment be easy to learn?
• Will I be able to stay fluent in situations when I feel nervous or anxious?
• Will I ever stutter after treatment?
• Will other people be able to tell that I stuttered?

What is Involved in Stuttering Treatment?

A good treatment for stuttering takes you through three stages of change:

1. Learning the techniques in the clinic
2. Practising the techniques in normal everyday situations
3. Using your techniques long-term so you stay fluent after treatment

You may need to change the way you think of yourself. People who stutter might think "I'm a person who stutters" or "I'm a person who speaks fluently, but stutters sometimes". If you think "I'm a person who speaks fluently, but stutters sometimes", this way of thinking will give you greater chances of success in your treatment. Counselling can help you turn negative thoughts around.