Speech Language Therapists

Resources and professional development for SLTs working with people who stutter

Working with people who stutter can be both challenging and rewarding. That’s why we provide various opportunities for you to access support and develop your skills. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for those who stutter. 

Young boy with book

Welcome to our World

Here at START, we’re proud to be the only organisation in Aotearoa dedicated to supporting people who stutter, and we’re glad you’ve found us.

Our team of specialist Speech Language Therapists (SLTs) are here to help and support you in your work with people who stutter – and we do this in a range of ways:

Whaowhia te kete mātauranga
Fill the basket of knowledge

Resources for Speech Language Therapists

Downloadable resources to add to your kete 

Teachers Guide to Stuttering

Teachers’ Guide 

This resource was born out of research conducted with young New Zealanders who stutter. They shared the ups and downs they’d experienced at school – stressing how important it is for teachers to really understand what stuttering is all about and how it affects their school life.   

If you’re a SLT working with children and young people who stutter in a school setting, this guide is incredibly valuable to share with teachers. It provides them with a deeper understanding of stuttering and equips them with effective strategies to support young people who stutter.

Inside the Teachers’ Guide, you’ll find an Individual Support Plan template, accompanied by a handy how-to guide. This resource is designed to facilitate a conversation about how teachers and SLTs can best support their students who stutter.

Download Teachers’ Guide

To discover more about how you, as a SLT, can effectively utilise the Teachers’ Guide, register to watch our online module:

Online Modules

Individual Support Plan Doc

Individual Support Plans

Developed in collaboration with kaiako and speech language therapists, these Individual Support Plans (from the Teachers’ Guide) can help you tailor your support.  

They are designed to kickstart a conversation about how best to support your client who stutters. We have found that having a Word Doc version of the workbook pages is helpful for people to edit in soft copy and we’ve included both a simple and detailed version, so you can choose the one that best suits you and your client.

Download Detailed Template
Download Simple Template

Both books

My Stutter Books

Back in 2017, we curated something pretty special: “My Stutter.” This book is a collection of poetry, stories, drawings, and images contributed by Kiwi kids of all ages who stutter. Through their creative expressions, they share their unique experiences and perspectives, aiming to offer support and inspiration to others.

Just recently we’ve released “My Stutter – Vol 2”. It’s an enriched edition that includes reflections from not just Kiwi kids but Kiwis of all ages who stutter.

Such powerful kōrero!  What a fantastic book.  Much admiration for all who contributed and your mahi pulling it all together. Mīharo. – Tanya, Speech Language Therapist

This is a lovely, sad and insightful book. It’s a fantastic book for children without a stutter to understand what it might be like to have a stutter, and great for those who stutter to have a variety of feelings explored. As a SLT, I used it as a therapy resource to broach those tricky feelings in an understanding way (by first saying ‘this is what .x. said they felt…when have you felt like that?). Highly recommended book!
– Melva Ritchie, Speech Language Therapist – Waikato

Get The Books

Supervision and Professional Development

START offers a monthly supervision hui as well as a range of training opportunities. 

Teachers Guide to Stuttering

Meet & Eat

A monthly lunchtime advice and guidance hui for SLTs working with people who stutter.   

Register for the next Meet & Eat using the enquiry form below.   

Download Flyer

 

My Stutter Book

Online Training Modules

Watch this space for a range of online modules.

Online Modules

Dr Anna

Lidcombe Program Training

START hosts this workshop via Zoom for NZ SLTs.

Click here for more information.

Download Flyer

Stuttering: Young Kiwis Share Their Stories

We created this 15 minute film specifically to help New Zealand teachers gain a deeper understanding of the unique experiences of young Kiwis who stutter. 11 young people ranging from 9 to 18 years old open up about their experiences of stuttering – both in and out of the school environment. Watching this film will give you valuable insights into what it’s like for tamariki and rangatahi who stutter, and you’ll come away with some practical ideas of how you can help them. 

“This video is excellent. I wish my son had been able to see this 20 years ago! The young people speaking in it are so articulate about the issues around having a stutter and the video should be shown in all schools. Speaking as an ex-teacher, I would have found it so valuable and helpful”

– Claire Woods

Get in Touch

To have a kōrero with one of our team or to make a referral, get in touch using the enquiry form.

Whether you’re seeking more information about how to best support a client who stutters, interested in referring a client for individual therapy (either in person in Auckland or elsewhere in Aotearoa via Zoom), or believe you have a client who would benefit from attending one of our groups, courses or social events, we’d love to hear from you.

Make An Enquiry