Stammering

Our Speech and Language Therapy team provides services for children, young people and adults in the Sheffield area who stammer.

Stammering services for children and young people

The Specialist Stammering Team are based at Flockton House in Nether Edge, but we also run clinics in Firth Park. We work with children and young people under the age of 16, and there is also an adult service for people over 16.

Up to 8% of children will stammer between the ages of 2 and 5 years, and for many children it is just part of learning to talk. However, if you feel you would like to chat to someone about how best to support your child when they are stammering or feel that the stammer is becoming a problem for your child, you can make a referral by calling us at Flockton House on 0114 2262333.

If your child is 0 to 6 years old

Your first appointment will be over the telephone with a therapist and a parent or carer only, as it is most helpful for us to first speak with you without your child present (we will arrange a follow-up appointment in clinic if this is needed).

If your child is aged 7 years and older 

Your appointment will be in clinic in Nether Edge or Firth Park with your child, as it is most helpful for us to speak with you as a family at this age. You can request a phone call instead if you would prefer to speak with us by telephone first without your child present.

Next steps

After you have attended your first appointment, we will ask you to attend a workshop for parents before we offer any further appointments. These are usually online, and give you lots more ideas and information to help you support your child.

We try to work closely with schools where this is needed and liaise with them around how they can best support children who stammer in school. We also run termly teacher workshops which we may invite your child’s school to attend.

We also run groups for children in Year 3 to Year 6 and their parents and have an ongoing monthly group for young people in Year 7 and Year 10.

For further information contact Claire Bull or Anneleen Kennard.

While you wait

Whilst you are waiting for support from our team, you may find the British Stammering Association website helpful: www.stamma.org

Stamma also run a free helpline on 0808 802 0002 (open weekdays 10am to 12pm and 6pm to 8pm) and offer an email support service at help@stamma.org

Stammering services for adults

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust also supports a service for adults (aged 16 and over) who stammer. The clinic is based at Flockton House.