Lidcombe Program Treatment at BubbleBee Children Speech Therapy

Welcome to BubbleBee Children Speech Therapy. We provide Lidcombe Program Treatment for young children who stutter, delivered in a supportive, structured, and family-centred way.

The Lidcombe Program is an evidence-based treatment developed specifically for early stuttering. It is designed for young children and focuses on reducing stuttered speech through positive, everyday interactions between parent and child, guided by a trained speech therapist.

At BubbleBee, we support children who experience early stuttering, as well as families who are unsure whether their child’s speech patterns require intervention or monitoring.

What the Lidcombe Program Is and How It Helps

The Lidcombe Program is a stuttering intervention created for young children who stutter. It is widely recognised in speech pathology as an evidence-based treatment with strong clinical outcomes when started early.

Unlike clinic-only therapy, this approach is a parent-conducted treatment. Parents learn how to provide structured verbal feedback during everyday conversations, play, and routines. The goal is to reduce stuttered speech while keeping communication natural and positive.

This treatment plan targets children’s stuttered speech gently and systematically, without asking the child to consciously control or monitor their speech.

Who the Lidcombe Program Is Designed For

This treatment is typically recommended for:

Young children who stutter, usually in the preschool years
Children showing signs of early stuttering rather than long-standing speech difficulties
Families who are able to take an active role in daily communication practice

Age, severity, and speech patterns are considered carefully before recommending this treatment. Not every child who stutters needs immediate therapy, which is why assessment is a key first step.

How Lidcombe Program Treatment Works

The Lidcombe Program follows a clear, structured framework guided by a speech pathologist.

The treatment works by:

Training parents to give specific, supportive verbal feedback
Reducing stuttered speech gradually over time
Tracking progress using severity ratings
Adjusting strategies based on the child’s response

Sessions are typically held weekly at the beginning, with parents practising the techniques at home. The therapist monitors progress closely and guides adjustments to the treatment plan.

Assessment Before Starting the Program

Before beginning Lidcombe Program Treatment, a comprehensive assessment is conducted. This ensures the approach is appropriate for the child and that families understand what the program involves.

What the Assessment Looks At

Speech fluency and stuttering patterns
Language development and communication skills
Family history of stuttering
Child’s age and stage of development
Parent readiness for a parent-guided therapy approach

This assessment helps determine whether early stuttering is likely to resolve naturally or whether intervention is recommended.

The Two Stages of the Lidcombe Program

The Lidcombe Program is delivered in two structured stages.

Stage One - Reducing Stuttered Speech

Stage One focuses on reducing the frequency and severity of stuttering. Parents provide verbal feedback in short, planned conversations, guided by the speech therapist.

Progress is measured carefully, and therapy continues until stuttering is significantly reduced or no longer present.

Stage Two - Maintaining Progress

Stage Two helps maintain fluency gains over time. Therapy sessions become less frequent, while parents continue to monitor speech patterns.

This stage is important for ensuring long-term stability and preventing relapse.

The Parent’s Role in Treatment

A defining feature of the Lidcombe Program is parent involvement. Parents are not expected to “fix” their child’s speech, but to apply specific, supportive strategies taught by the therapist.

Parents are guided to:

Use verbal feedback appropriately
Keep communication positive and pressure-free
Integrate practice naturally into daily routines

This collaborative approach allows therapy to fit into real life rather than relying only on clinic sessions.

Speech Therapists and Clinical Oversight

At BubbleBee, the Lidcombe Program is overseen by Ms. Agnieszka Debowska, Senior Speech-Language Therapist

Her role includes:

Conducting assessment and treatment planning
Coaching parents through each stage
Monitoring progress and adjusting strategies
Ensuring therapy remains evidence-based and child-centred

Families benefit from consistent guidance and clear explanations throughout the therapy process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lidcombe Program suitable for all children who stutter?

Not always. While the Lidcombe Program is effective for many young children, some children benefit from monitoring or alternative approaches. Assessment helps determine suitability.

How long does Lidcombe-based therapy usually take?

Duration varies depending on severity, consistency of practice, and individual response. Some children progress quickly, while others require longer support across stages.

Will my child be aware that they are being treated?

The program is designed to feel natural and supportive. Children are not asked to analyse their speech or practise drills. Feedback is brief and integrated into everyday conversation.

What if my child resists feedback?

Speech pathologists adjust strategies carefully. If a child shows discomfort or resistance, the treatment plan is modified to maintain a positive communication environment.

Can the Lidcombe Program be combined with other speech therapy?

In some cases, yes. If a child has additional language or speech needs, therapy may be adapted accordingly, with careful clinical planning.

Starting Lidcombe Program Treatment in Singapore

If your child is showing signs of early stuttering and you are exploring Lidcombe Program Treatment, BubbleBee Children Speech Therapy Singapore can guide you through the process with clarity and care.

We begin with assessment, explain findings in plain language, and recommend next steps that suit your child and family.

Contact us to learn more or to schedule an assessment.

5.0 8 reviews

Gregory Zdaniuk ★★★★★ 5 months ago
Mrs Agnieszka is a very professional speech therapist. She has worked with our child for several years with clear results. Her holistic approach to speech is very effective. Where others only focused on … More sounds, Mrs Agnieszka looked deeper and focused on the mental component of speech with tailored (and fun) exercises aimed at root causes. I wholeheartedly recommend her practice.
Carmen Tang ★★★★★ a year ago
I’m so grateful that we chose Agnes as my son’s speech therapist. My son has ASD and non-verbal. Before we started speech therapy, he was lack of playing skills, eye contact, joint attention and many … More other problems. Agnes mentioned that all of these fundamental skills are crucial in order to build meaningful speech. After years of consistent training, my son now has shown a significant improvement in engagement, play skills and self- regulation. With all of these in place, my son can now say and copy words that are spoken to him. My son really enjoyed playing and learning at Agnes’s therapy. Agnes is very professional, skillful, kind and patient. The techniques and tips that she has given me were all practical and valuable in order to incorporate the same methods at home. Overall, I highly recommend Agnes’s speech therapy. She did an amazing job helping my son to build his speech.
leng huang ★★★★★ a year ago
We are grateful to have found Agnes! She has been an invaluable partner on our journey to support our son’s communication development.
Agnes is a very experience speech therapist and especially good with … More young children. Her floor time , play—based / child - led approach is holistic and made sessions fun and engaging for our son. What impressed us most is her ability to connect with our son, making him feel comfortable and confident , which in turn helped him open - up / express himself. Through these sessions, she is able to provide valuable insights to us parents on how best to support and enhance our son’s communication skills.
Liang Liu ★★★★★ a year ago
My son has been seeing Agnes since 2 years old. I still recall the day that he spoke out load and clear for the 1st in his life in Agnes's therapy. Agnes therapy really helped him expand his interest … More and improved his ideation, which helped him to express himself much better and build up his confidence. Along the way I also get to know the reason behind certain behavior of my son and am now able to guide him better at home. Really appreciate it!
Cuppa Tea ★★★★★ a year ago
Agnes is a very experienced speech therapist.
(1) She has been able to help us understand more about our daughter's condition, and how through play can help her improve her communication.
(2) She … More has been teaching us parents how to communicate with our daughter. An important factor in communication is not to assume for the child or order the child to do this/that. This has been a mistake for many parents or even therapists. It is important to listen to the child who would communicate via non verbal cues or verbally. Let the child lead from there.
(3) She has the ability to understand children and their intentions. This is crucial in building confidence in our daughter since she has little confidence. Once she knows that we are there to try to understand her, she will be more willing to continue to communicate with us.
It has not been easy for us to find a suitable therapist who could engage our daughter as we have been through a few therapists.
To all the parents reading this: May you be able to find one who can help you and your child.
Chia Ming Lim ★★★★★ a year ago
Agnes is a seasoned and dedicated speech therapist who is able to empower parents like us to guide in speech development and see significant breakthroughs in our child's communication skills.