When your child is first learning to speak, he stumbles, hesitates and repeats parts of words as he is becoming familiar with a growing vocabulary. This is not true stuttering and is considered normal development. He might exhibit this speech pattern until he is about 7 years old. When you notice an ongoing pattern of speech struggles, even with words your child appears to know, you need to discuss your concerns with your doctor.
Normal Nonfluency
Toddlers, preschoolers and early elementary age children stutter as they are becoming familiar with new words and speech expectations. The following characteristics set normal nonfluency apart from true stuttering: Your child might repeat a word or syllable once or twice as she says the word; she experiences 10 nonfluency “word stumbles” in about 100 words; her body is not tense and she might be in motion, moving from one activity to another as she is speaking; she is not aware she has stumbled on a word and goes on. Nonfluencies for a child who does not have a stuttering pattern are mainly interjections, such as “um,” repetitions of entire words or changes in the words she is saying, according to the Center for Stuttering Therapy website.
Types of Stuttering
Developmental stuttering does not get any better and lasts for a few months to several years. It tends to run in families, with one parent having a stuttering issue. A stuttering gene has been identified, writes the MedlinePlus website. A second kind of stuttering is called psychogenic. This form of stuttering might be caused by some emotional trauma and is rare. More boys than girls stutter; boys who develop stuttering speech issues might continue to have a stuttering problem as an adult.
Chronic Stuttering Signs
Signs that your child might be developing a stuttering problem include syllable or sound prolongations: For example, instead of saying “may,” he says, “m-m-m-m-ay.” Your child’s body might tense as he struggles to pronounce a word. The tension is most noticeable around his mouth and eyes, and his body might become visibly tense as well. When he says a word with a consonant-vowel combination, such as “maybe,” the vowel sound is weak. You might notice your child’s lips and tongue quivering as he prolongs sounds or repeats them. During a repeat or prolongation of a sound, the pitch and loudness of his voice increases. He might pause repeatedly, substitute words that do not give him trouble, or interject additional sounds to give himself time to try to pronounce a word. He also might avoid talking. Look for expressions of fear as he tries to say troublesome words. He might exhibit inconsistent airflow as he is speaking, especially as he starts a sentence, states the Center for Stuttering Therapy website.
Treatments
Speech therapy might help a child gain fluency. It is most successful when the stuttering has been evident for more than three to six months or when the child’s blocks when speaking last for several seconds. Therapy also might help if there is a family history of stuttering, when the child perceives it as a problem or when she is struggling with her words as she is stuttering.
