Fluency
Fluency Shaping Practice: A Complete Guide to Stuttering Therapy
Evidence-based fluency shaping techniques for at-home stuttering practice between sessions
December 7, 2025•15 min read
Evidence-based fluency shaping techniques for at-home stuttering practice between sessions
Stuttering affects approximately 1% of the adult population and up to 5% of children at some point in their development. For those who don't naturally recover, stuttering can significantly impact communication confidence, social interactions, and quality of life.
The good news: evidence-based fluency therapy can make a real difference. This guide covers the major approaches to stuttering treatment, specific techniques SLPs use, and how to support fluency practice at home.
Stuttering is a speech fluency disorder characterized by disruptions in the forward flow of speech. These disruptions, called disfluencies, include:
Important: Stuttering is neurological in origin—it's not caused by nervousness, poor parenting, or psychological problems. The exact cause isn't fully understood, but research points to differences in brain structure and function affecting speech motor control.
Modern stuttering therapy typically draws from two main philosophies, often combining elements of both:
Fluency shaping teaches a new, more fluent way of speaking. The goal is to reduce or eliminate stuttering by modifying how speech is produced—essentially replacing old speech patterns with new ones.
Programs using this approach: Camperdown Program, Precision Fluency Shaping Program
Stuttering modification (also called "stutter more fluently") helps people change how they stutter rather than eliminating stuttering entirely. The goal is to stutter more easily with less tension and struggle.
Programs using this approach: Van Riper's approach, Sheehan's approach
Many modern SLPs use an integrated approach, combining fluency shaping techniques for easier speech production with stuttering modification strategies for moments when stuttering does occur. This gives clients the most tools for managing their speech in various situations.
Easy onset (or gentle onset) involves starting words with a soft, gradual initiation of voicing rather than hard, abrupt vocal cord contact. This is especially helpful for words beginning with vowels or voiced consonants.
How to practice: Start voicing with a slight "h" sound, like a gentle sigh, then ease into the word. "Apple" becomes "h...apple" with a very soft, breathy start.
This technique reduces the physical tension in speech by using lighter touches when producing sounds. Instead of pressing lips tightly for "p" or "b," use a gentle contact.
How to practice: Say sounds with "half the effort." For /p/, lips barely touch. For /t/ and /d/, the tongue touches the roof of the mouth softly.
Stretching or prolonging vowels and continuant consonants slows down speech rate and reduces stuttering. This is often used in early treatment, then gradually shaped toward more natural sounding speech.
How to practice: Stretch vowels like you're speaking in slow motion. "My name is..." becomes "Myyyy naaaaame iiiis..." Initial practice may feel exaggeratedly slow.
Keeping the voice "on" through phrases reduces breaks that can trigger blocking. Connect words together smoothly without stopping voicing.
How to practice: Say a phrase while keeping your voice vibrating continuously. Place your hand on your throat to feel the vibration—try not to let it stop until the end of the phrase.
Breaking speech into shorter phrases with natural pauses gives time to reset and prepare for the next phrase. It also makes speech sound more natural than extremely slow continuous speech.
How to practice: Read sentences and mark natural pause points. Practice stopping briefly at commas and between thought groups, using the pause to prepare for the next phrase.
Treatment approaches differ based on age and severity:
Many young children who stutter will naturally recover, but early intervention is still important for those at higher risk of persistence. Evidence-based approaches include:
Treatment typically combines fluency techniques with addressing emotional and social aspects:
Consistent practice between therapy sessions significantly improves outcomes. Here's how families can support fluency work:
Apps like LumaSpeech can provide structured reading and speaking practice with feedback on pacing and fluency. This gives children consistent practice opportunities while SLPs can track progress between sessions.
Effective stuttering therapy addresses more than just speech technique. Comprehensive treatment also considers:
Stuttering therapy has come a long way, with multiple evidence-based approaches available. The best treatment is individualized—what works for one person may not work for another. Key factors for success include consistent practice, a supportive communication environment, and addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of stuttering.
Whether you're an SLP looking for strategies or a family supporting someone who stutters, remember that progress takes time and patience. Tools like LumaSpeech can help bridge the gap between therapy sessions by providing structured fluency practice with feedback on pacing and smooth speech.