Confidence and Communication Group

Specialist Speech and Language Therapy Service

Willy Russell Centre for Children and Adults who Stammer

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Confidence and Communication Group (258kB)

Confidence and Communication Group sessions

These are weekly, one-hour, in-person sessions for children, aged approximately 5-7 years, and their parents or carers. Typically, the children have some awareness of stammering.

Aim of the sessions

The aim of the sessions is to enable children to communicate more confidently, especially in group situations. They also enable children to develop a more positive attitude to communication, by meeting other children who stammer.
The sessions allow therapists to observe the children in a ‘natural’ situation.

The activities

From the children’s perspective, they are playing games and having fun. This is important, as fun is crucial for enabling the children to feel at ease, participate, bond, and get the most out of the sessions. The activities are all communication-based but, especially at the start of each session, the children are able to participate non-verbally (i.e. without speaking).

Parents’/Carers’ role

It is important for parents and carers to attend regularly and to join in the activities, as this provides a good role model for the children and gives them more confidence to join in. Parents and carers do not need to prompt their children to speak, as the activities are structured so that children can participate in other ways. It is helpful, however, if adults pause and allow plenty of time for their children to speak or participate non-verbally.

After the group

You may be offered a follow-up appointment to discuss what would be most helpful for your child. Some children will be invited to further Confidence and Communication Group sessions, although priority is usually given to children who have not previously accessed the sessions. Older children or children with a lot of insight into stammering may be invited to a different kind of group.

At the end of the sessions, it may be appropriate for a child to be discharged or referred to a different service. If your child is discharged, it will be easy for you to re-access the service.

Please have a look at our virtual map  https://bit.ly/3TKgoXi  prior to your visit.

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