As parents, it\u2019s easy to worry about almost anything! And something like stuttering, which can affect children in many ways for many years, can understandably generate a great deal of concern. Some degree and type of stuttering can be normal for young children. How does a parent know if how their child\u2019s speech is developing normally, or if they need help for stuttering?<\/p>\n
As toddlers learn to talk, sometimes they stumble over their words in a way that makes their speech sound \u201cdisfluent\u201d (not smooth)\u2014or like they\u2019re stuttering. They may repeat words or phrases or use filler words like \u201cum.\u201d It\u2019s also normal to hear your child changing the words in a sentence or not finishing their thoughts.<\/p>\n
If you think about it, learning to speak is miraculous \u2013 and hard work! Kids rapidly learn thousands of words and language rules. It can be completely normal for a young child to stutter at times, and for periods of stuttering to come and go. And it\u2019s even more common for a tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed child to have trouble getting their words out. Usually, this form of stuttering is outgrown.<\/p>\n
If stuttering can<\/em> be normal, when should you worry? Problematic stuttering is more common if you have a family history of stuttering. It\u2019s more often seen in young boys than girls. And if stuttering doesn\u2019t start until around age 3.5, it\u2019s more likely to persist. There are other signs that you can watch for that may indicate your child\u2019s speech is developing atypically.<\/p>\n Because there are ways to treat stuttering, it\u2019s important that you seek help as early as possible. Contact your child\u2019s doctor to ask for a speech and language evaluation if your child:<\/p>\n There\u2019s no single specific cause of stuttering<\/a>, but it\u2019s thought to be due to multiple factors. We know genetics play a role in because stuttering tends to run in families. We also know that people who stutter may have differences in their brain functions when sending and receiving speech.<\/p>\n Treatment starts with an evaluation by a speech therapist. During this evaluation, the therapist will observe and test your child\u2019s speech and language skills. They\u2019ll assess whether your child is stuttering or having age-appropriate disfluencies, or if they have any other issues with how well they use words and understand speech. The therapist will also try to understand how your child\u2019s speech affects how they interact with others and feel about themselves.<\/p>\n Treatment takes two main approaches: direct and indirect. Treatment will be adapted based on your child\u2019s age, how much they stutter, and how it affects them. An indirect therapy approach is aimed at educating parents and caregivers about how they can help the child speak more fluidly. The direct approach teaches children to notice when their speech is fluid or when they\u2019re stuttering and how to slow or adapt their speech. Treatment helps children master skills to improve the way they speak and how they feel about talking.<\/p>\n Older children who continue to stutter may experience stress or bullying and develop low self-esteem as a result. In turn, this can increase the severity of stuttering. Mental health counseling is often helpful to manage these symptoms and help a child deal with the emotional effects of ongoing stuttering.<\/p>\n Your support and positive approach will help decrease your child\u2019s stress and any emotional reactions that can come from stuttering. You can adapt how you communicate with your young child to make it easier for them to respond and engage with you. Try to:<\/p>\n As always, parent your child with positivity<\/a> to boost their self-esteem and resiliency. It\u2019s powerful to let your child know often that you love and support them \u2013 no matter how they speak.<\/p>\n National Stuttering Association<\/a> American Speech-Language-Hearing Association As parents, it\u2019s easy to worry about almost anything! And something like stuttering, which can affect children in many ways for many years, can understandably generate a great deal of concern. Some degree and type of stuttering can be normal for young children. How does a parent know if how their child\u2019s speech is developing normally, or if they need help for stuttering?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4603,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[455],"tags":[61,345,701],"class_list":["post-4602","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-development","tag-parenting","tag-parenting-with-positivity","tag-speech","ages-grade-school"],"metadata":{"_edit_lock":["1732301183:6"],"_edit_last":["6"],"_thumbnail_id":["4603"],"qode_animate-page-title":["no"],"qode_show-page-title-text":["no"],"qode_show-page-title-image":["no"],"qode_show-sidebar":["default"],"qode_hide-featured-image":["no"],"slide_template":["default"],"ase_chapter_enable_timeline":["off"],"video_format_choose":["youtube"],"_wpb_vc_js_status":["false"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["455"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_ages":["291"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["60"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":["[]"],"_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":["[\"\"]"],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["4"],"_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":["When does a child need help for stuttering"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["Some degree and type of stuttering can be normal for young children. 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What Causes Stuttering<\/h3>\n
Stuttering Can Be Treated<\/h3>\n
What Parents Can Do to Help Kids Who Stutter<\/h3>\n
\n
Resources for Parents<\/h3>\n
\nThe Stuttering Foundation<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Stuttering<\/a>
\nFluency Disorders<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"