SUPPORT: Supporting Caregivers with a mobile app for children who stammer aged 8–12 years
This study is testing a new mobile app called Super Penguin. It's designed to help parents and carers of children aged 8 to 12 who stammer. The app works with regular NHS speech and language therapy, offering tools and information to help parents feel more confident in supporting their child's communication. It aims to reduce stress and worry for families. Researchers want to find out if this app is helpful and practical, so they can decide if a larger study should be done in the future. Parents will answer questions at different times over 11 months, fitting around their child's usual NHS care.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This research project is all about exploring a new mobile app called Super Penguin. This app was created with the help of parents and speech therapists to make sure it's really useful for families. It's specifically for parents of children aged 8 to 12 years old who stammer, and it’s meant to be used alongside the speech and language therapy they get from the NHS. The main idea behind the app is to give parents extra support and resources, helping them feel more confident and less stressed when they're helping their child with communication.
The app offers special exercises and information tailored to each family. The aim is to make parents feel better equipped to support their child and hopefully reduce any anxiety they might have. The researchers want to see if this app is a good idea and if it’s easy for families to use. This will help them decide if they should run a much larger study across the UK in the future to confirm how effective it is.
This is a 'feasibility study', which means it's a smaller, early-stage trial. It tells the researchers if a bigger study is possible and how best to run it. It runs from January 2026 to July 2027 and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which is a UK government organisation supporting health research.
Key takeaways
- This study tests a new mobile app, Super Penguin, for parents of children who stammer.
- It aims to help parents feel more confident and less stressed.
- The app is used with, not instead of, NHS speech therapy.
- The study helps decide if a larger research trial should happen.
- Participation involves online questionnaires over 11 months.
- It's for children aged 8-12 years who are having NHS speech therapy for stammering.
Who may be eligible?
To join the main part of this study, you need to be a parent or main carer who is 18 years old or over. Your child must be aged between 8 and 12 years old, have been referred to NHS speech and language therapy because they stammer, and the therapists must have decided they need this support.
There are some reasons you can't join. For example, if you're unable to give your agreement to take part, or if you can't complete the study forms in English. Also, if you have more than one child aged 8-12 who stammers and both are having therapy, you wouldn't be able to join this particular study.
Some parts of the study also involve interviews. For these, parents, children, and speech therapists will be asked if they'd like to share their experiences, but only if the family is already taking part in the main study and using the app.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Am I 18 years old or over?
- Is my child aged between 8 and 12 years?
- Has my child been referred for and assessed as needing NHS speech therapy for stammering?
- Am I able to complete study questionnaires in English?
- Do I have only one child aged 8-12 who stammers and is having therapy?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, your family will continue with your child's usual NHS speech and language therapy. The study involves completing online questionnaires a few times over approximately 11 months. You'll complete one questionnaire before the therapy starts, another when it begins, a third one about four months later, and a final one five months after that. This study is designed to fit around your child's regular NHS appointments, so it shouldn't add too much extra burden to your family's schedule.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (4)
- South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyWakefield, England
- Kent Community Health NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyAshford, England
- Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyKingston upon Thames, England
- Sussex Community NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyBrighton, England
Common questions
What is stammering?
Stammering (or stuttering) means that a person might repeat sounds or words, stretch out sounds, or sometimes get stuck when trying to speak. It's often a natural part of how children learn to talk, but for some, it continues and needs support.
What is the Super Penguin app?
It's a mobile app created to help parents of children who stammer. It offers exercises and information to support parents in helping their child's communication, and it's used alongside regular NHS speech therapy.
Will my child stop getting their normal NHS therapy if I join?
No, absolutely not. The Super Penguin app is designed to be used *alongside* your child's usual NHS speech and language therapy, not instead of it. Their normal care will continue as planned.
How long will I be involved in the study?
If you take part, you'll be involved for up to 11 months in total, from the time you agree to join. This includes completing a few online questionnaires at different points.
Who is paying for this research?
The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which is a major funder of health and social care research in the UK.
How to find out more
Ronan Miller
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.