How can I get referred to speech and language therapy for my stammer?

If you think Speech and Language Therapy could help, the first step is getting referred – this just means filling out a form with some details about you and your stammer, and sending it to a local Speech and Language Therapy service.

Once they’ve got your referral, the therapy team should get in touch with your family to explain what happens next. This might include an invite to a first appointment, and they might also share some ideas or strategies to help in the meantime.

Who can refer me?

It depends on the service in your area. Some places will accept a referral from:

• Your parent/guardian, or
• A professional (like a teacher or GP). 

If you’re not sure how it works in your area, you can always ask – or ask your parents/guardians to get in touch with us and we can help you figure it out.

What happens after the referral?

After your referral’s been sent, your family should get a message to confirm that the therapy service has received it. They might also let you know how long the wait is before you’ll be seen for your first session.

Waiting times can vary depending on where you live – some places are quicker than others – but it’s completely normal to have to wait a bit.

While you're waiting, it might be worth checking out some of our Top Tips or reaching out to the Support Hub Advisor if you’ve got any questions or want to talk things through.

I’ve had therapy before – can I go again?

Yes, in most cases! If you’ve had Speech and Language Therapy in the past and feel like you need more support now, you can ask to be referred again.

Some services will allow a re-referral straight away, while others might have different rules or waiting periods. The easiest thing to do is contact the SLT service you saw before and ask what the options are.

You can also look into other types of support available for young people who stammer – you don’t have to rely on therapy alone.

Need more help?

If you’re not sure what your next step is, or you need help figuring things out, don’t hesitate to ask for advice. You deserve support that works for you.

Related articles:

• What happens if I am referred for Speech and Language Therapy for stammering?
• How can I get speech and language therapy for my stammer?