Speech and language therapy (including PROMPT and stuttering)
How speech and language therapy supports communication — including motor-speech approaches like PROMPT, communication aids, and evidence-based stuttering treatment.
Speech and language therapy supports far more than 'talking' — it covers understanding, using language, speech sounds, social communication, feeding and swallowing, and alternative ways to communicate. For children who are not yet speaking or have limited speech, communication aids (AAC) are central. This page also covers motor-speech approaches such as PROMPT and the evidence-based treatment of stuttering.
At a glance
- Covers
- Understanding, talking, speech sounds, social communication, feeding
- When speech is limited
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
- PROMPT
- A tactile motor-speech approach for speech-production difficulties
- Stuttering
- Effective programmes exist (e.g. Lidcombe in young children)
What speech and language therapy does
A speech and language therapist assesses and supports several areas: understanding language (receptive), using language (expressive), producing speech sounds, social communication, and often feeding and swallowing. Support is tailored to the child and frequently coaches parents and teachers, because communication grows best through everyday interaction.
Communication aids (AAC)
For children who are non-speaking or have very limited speech, augmentative and alternative communication — from picture systems to speech-generating devices and apps — gives a reliable way to communicate. Importantly, evidence shows that using AAC does not stop speech developing and often supports it; it should be offered early rather than held back as a 'last resort'.
PROMPT and motor-speech approaches
Some children have difficulty planning and producing the movements of speech (for example childhood apraxia of speech). PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) is one well-known approach that uses touch cues on the face and jaw to guide speech movements. Motor-speech difficulties generally respond best to frequent, focused practice of speech movements.
Stuttering
Stuttering (stammering) commonly emerges in the preschool years. Many young children recover, but effective treatments exist and early help is valuable — for preschoolers, programmes such as the Lidcombe Program have good evidence, and older children and teenagers benefit from approaches that combine speech techniques with managing the impact on confidence and participation. Stuttering is not caused by anxiety or poor parenting, though it can be affected by them.
Early speech and language support — including offering AAC early — is valuable and does not 'hold back' talking. For stuttering, early, evidence-based programmes work well.
How an educational review can help
An educational review can explain a child's communication profile and assessment, clarify where approaches such as AAC, PROMPT or a stuttering programme fit, and help set priorities — so you can prepare questions for your treating team. It is educational and does not replace your clinician's care.
Selected sources
- Evidence reviews of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in children with complex communication needs.
- Evidence for the Lidcombe Program and other early stuttering interventions.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-22
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