The Lidcombe Program is a structured approach to treating stuttering in young children under six. Developed in Australia, it has gained worldwide recognition as an evidence-based treatment that relies on parents to deliver therapy in everyday situations. The program focuses on preschool children because early intervention improves outcomes.
Parents starting this journey with their child may find it helpful to use our free Lidcombe Programme Guide.
Unlike traditional speech therapy in clinical settings, this program puts parents at the centre of treatment. Children receive feedback about their speech during normal daily activities at home, making the approach both practical and intensive.
How the program works
The Lidcombe Program operates on a simple principle: parents learn to respond to their child's speech in specific ways that encourage fluency. This means praising smooth speech and, occasionally, gently acknowledging when stuttering occurs.
Parents don't need special training, but they do need commitment. The program requires daily practice sessions and regular meetings with a qualified speech and language therapist. In the UK, you can access this through the NHS, though availability varies by region. Private practice is also an option.
The treatment uses a rating system where parents score their child's stuttering severity on a scale from one to ten. A score of one means no stuttering, while ten represents very severe stuttering. These measurements help track progress and guide treatment decisions.
Get personalised guidance on the Lidcombe Programme for your child's stuttering. Covers severity ratings, daily practice and when to progress.
Try our Lidcombe Programme Guide free, here on this site →The two treatment stages
Stage one focuses on reducing stuttering to very low levels or eliminating it entirely. Parents conduct structured practice sessions every day during normal activities like playing, reading, or chatting. These sessions usually last around 10 to 15 minutes.
Parents learn to give plenty of praise when their child speaks smoothly, saying things like "that was smooth talking" or "I liked how you said that". The emphasis is heavily on positive feedback. Occasionally, parents may acknowledge stuttering moments, but this happens much less frequently than praise for fluent speech.
Weekly appointments with the speech and language therapist are standard during stage one. These sessions allow the therapist to monitor progress, adjust techniques, and support parents through challenges. Stage one continues until stuttering reduces to consistently low levels, which might take several months.
Stage two is the maintenance phase, which aims to keep stuttering at low levels for a full year while gradually reducing treatment intensity. Daily practice sessions become less frequent, and therapist appointments are spaced further apart. This stage typically lasts around 12 months.
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What parents need to know
The program requires significant parental involvement: daily work with your child and regular therapy appointments. This level of commitment isn't always possible for every family, and therapists will discuss whether the program suits your circumstances.
Some parents worry about drawing attention to their child's stuttering, but research suggests the Lidcombe approach doesn't cause anxiety or make stuttering worse when applied correctly. The heavy emphasis on positive feedback helps maintain the child's confidence. Children typically respond well to praise from their parents, and many enjoy the focused attention during practice sessions.
Effectiveness and getting started
Research suggests the Lidcombe Program can reduce or eliminate stuttering in young children, though individual results vary. It doesn't work for every child: some may need additional approaches such as traditional speech therapy or other treatments. Long-term studies suggest children who complete the program successfully often maintain their improved speech over time, though some may need occasional top-up sessions.
If you're concerned about your child's stuttering, speak to your GP or health visitor. They can refer you to a speech and language therapist who can assess whether the Lidcombe Program might be suitable. Not all therapists are trained in this approach, so you may need to ask specifically or request referral to someone who offers it.
Availability of speech and language therapy services can change, so verify current options with local NHS services. Private therapy is available if NHS waiting times are long, though costs can be significant given the program's duration. The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists can provide information about qualified practitioners in your area.
how do i begin to help him please?
Any other suggestions on what can help?
Not when, I speak to myself can you tell me what's the problem.
Hope this points you in the right direction.
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