Support for Teens
Read on to learn about getting help for your stutterWe get that a stutter can make it tough to deal with school or uni, mates and just life in general. We’re all about giving you the support, tips, and confidence to handle it. Remember—your voice matters and we’ve got your back!
Mā mātou anō mātou e korero e hoa mā!
Friends, nothing about us without us!
You are not alone
If you’re a young person who stutters, we want you to know that you’re definitely not alone. In fact, there are about 50,000 people in New Zealand who stutter too. Stuttering is just the way some of us talk – it’s not good or bad, it’s just different. But let’s be real, having a stutter can be pretty frustrating. Sometimes you might wish it would just disappear, and that’s totally normal.
Your stuttering might be a bit all over the place – some days you might stutter more, other days less. And certain situations might make it easier or harder for you to talk. It’s totally understandable if you feel like changing your words or talking less to avoid stuttering, but here’s the thing: saying what you want to say, stutter or not, is really important.
It can also be helpful to focus on your whole self, not just the stutter. Your stutter might feel like a big deal sometimes, but it’s just one part of who you are. And that’s where we come in – we’re here to help you navigate all of that.
If you’d like some support with your stutter then click here to talk to someone or make an appointment.
What does therapy look like?
Cost of Sessions
As a charitable trust, we’re committed to ensuring that our sessions and other services are accessible to everyone. That’s why we keep our rates as affordable as we possibly can. Our standard charge is $75 per session with a reduced rate of $55 for Community Service Card holders, tertiary students and senior citizens. However, if the cost is still an issue for you, please get in touch with us. We’re here to help and we’ll adjust the rate to ensure you receive the support you need without undue financial strain.
Our sessions are heavily subsidised. If you’re in a position where you can contribute more than the standard fee, we’d be incredibly grateful for your support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my parents need to attend the appointments?
We’d like to meet with both you and your parent/s during the first appointment. Your parent/s play an important role in supporting you with your stutter.
After the first appointment, you can attend appointments on your own, but we’ll arrange to keep your parent/s updated and have them involved every now and then or at the end of each session.
What happens during the first appointment?
The first appointment is a chance for you to meet your speech language therapist, and for them to learn about how you’re getting on with your stutter. It’ll mostly be a conversation – the therapist will ask you some questions and then have a chat at the end about what they can do to help support you.
What if I don't stutter during the appointment?
It’s ok if you don’t stutter during the appointment. We know that stuttering goes up and down, and also that some people don’t feel comfortable showing stuttering. Your speech language therapist will ask you how your stuttering in the appointment compares to what it’s usually like.
Is START my only option for speech-language therapy?
START is the only organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand that specialises in providing therapy and support for people who stutter. However, there are other options for accessing speech language therapy:
Ministry of Education: If you are still at school you may be eligible to see a speech-language therapist (SLT) through the Ministry of Education. You can ask your school about making a referral. This is a free service, however please note there may be a wait time for this service.
Private SLTs: You may also consider seeing a private SLT. We recommend choosing someone who is registered with the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA) and has experience working with people who stutter.
University clinics: Universities that train SLTs also offer clinic services, where student SLTs work under supervision. You might see an SLT and/or a SLT student under supervision. Clinics are available at Massey University, the University of Auckland, and the University of Canterbury.
If you’re unsure which option might be best for your situation, feel free to get in touch—we’re happy to talk with you about this.
Get social + get wise
Meeting other young people who stutter like you can be a game-changer. We offer courses, groups and social events as a great way to expand your knowledge, kōrero with others your age who get it and find some friends who are just like you.
Strong Voices
Due to availability of the START team, we’ll be offering a two day rather than three day course in July 2025.
Wednesday 2nd July & Thursday 3rd July 2025
Come Be Do
Held in the April and September/October school holidays.
2025 dates – Thurs 17th April & Thurs 25 September
Online Group for Teens
Three evening zoom calls during Term 2 from 6.30pm-7.30pm.
Stories from Teens
“START has been very helpful for me over the years as I learnt effective strategies to manage my speaking in different, everyday situations”
Luke – 17 years old
“My speech therapist Brittney Mackie has helped massively not only with my talking, but with my confidence.” – Tilly 14 years old”
Let's chat!
If you want to have a kōrero with one of our team about stuttering or explore whether therapy could be beneficial, we're here to help.
You’re not alone in this - our team is here to support you.