Pediatric Speech Therapy for Fluency Disorders
in San Diego, CA
Supporting Children to Speak with Ease and Confidence
Sometimes, a child knows exactly what they want to say, but the words don’t come out smoothly. Pauses, repetitions, or blocks in speech can make communication feel challenging. But with support from a speech therapist, your child can gain the skills they need to share their thoughts and ideas with ease.
At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, our speech-language pathologists specialize in helping children build the confidence in their ability to express themselves more fluently in everyday life.
What Are Fluency Disorders?
Fluency disorders are what we call any speech difficulties that disrupt the natural flow of speaking. They can vary in severity and may come and go depending on stress, excitement, or fatigue.
The most common fluency disorder is stuttering, which may involve repeating sounds, syllables, or words, prolonging sounds, or experiencing temporary “blocks” where you feel like you can’t speak. Another type of fluency disorder is cluttering, which is when speech sounds rushed, unclear, or disorganized.
Common Symptoms of Fluency Disorders
Some of the most common signs of a fluency disorder in children include:
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words (e.g., “b-b-ball”)
- Stretching out sounds (e.g., “ssssun”)
- Pauses or blocks where no sound comes out despite trying to speak
- Uneven speech rhythm or speed
- Using filler sounds (“um,” “uh”) or interjections to stall speaking
- Visible tension in the face, neck, or body when speaking
- Avoidance of talking in certain situations due to frustration or anxiety
- Rapid or disorganized speech that can be hard to understand
What Causes Fluency Disorders?
The exact cause of fluency disorders like stuttering and cluttering isn’t always known, and it isn’t always the same for every child. These conditions can occur from a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. They can appear in early childhood and may persist into adulthood without support; or they can be temporary challenges.
The important thing to know is that fluency disorders are not a reflection of your child’s intelligence. Children with these challenges are just as bright and capable as their peers, they simply need a bit of extra help with speech.
How Speech Therapy Can Help with Fluency Disorders
At SmallTalk, our experienced speech therapists provide personalized, evidence-based therapy to support smoother, more confident communication. Every session is designed to be playful and encouraging so your child feels empowered to share their thoughts without fear or frustration.
Depending on the specific type of fluency disorder your child has, their therapy may include:
- Fluency shaping strategies to promote smoother speech patterns
- Stuttering modification techniques to reduce tension and make speech easier
- Breathing and relaxation exercises to support calm, controlled speech
- Practice in real-life situations to build confidence and carry over skills
- Parent education on how to create supportive communication environments at home and in the community
Why Choose SmallTalk?
When it comes to your child’s communication, you want the very best, and so do we! We help children throughout San Diego achieve their greatest potential.
Our speech-language pathologists are highly trained, passionate, and experienced in working with a wide range of diagnoses and ages. They’re also warm, playful, and great at connecting with kids.
We make therapy fun, family-centered, and goal-driven. From your very first phone call to each session after, you’ll feel supported and heard. We collaborate closely with parents and provide practical strategies you can use at home to help your child keep progressing beyond the therapy room.
Schedule Your Child’s Evaluation Today
If your child shows signs of a fluency disorder, early support can make a big difference. And our team at SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy has helped families in San Diego for over 20 years with compassionate, expert care.
Call us at (619) 647-6157 or fill out our online form to schedule a speech evaluation today. Together, we’ll help your child gain the skills to communicate more smoothly and successfully.