What is stuttering?
Stuttering is a type of speech disorder. In this, the child takes gaps or repeats words and sounds while speaking. It is also known as stammering. Children who stutter have difficulty in speaking only, they are aware of what they need to speak but have a problem in doing so. Stuttering or stammering also appears as a sequelae of normal speech development. At the ages of around 3 or 4 years old, a child can develop stuttering while speaking but this resolves on its own.
In this article:
Symptoms of stuttering
Children who stutter will show a difficulty speaking as:
- Repeating words or phrases
- Prolonging sounds while speaking
- Hesitation during speaking
- Difficulty starting word or sentence
- Pausing between speaking words
- Adding sounds like um or ah while speaking between words
While a child experiences stuttering, there may be some non verbal clues as well. A stuttering child may have certain facial expressions while speaking as:
- Grimacing
- Blinking
- Tensing
Patterns of stuttering
There are three main patterns of speech while stuttering and a child may show any of these:
- Repetition: A child repeats a part of a word, phrase or sentence.
- Prolongation: The child prolongs the pronunciation of certain sounds in words.
- Blocks: There are periods of silence while speaking.
Treatment of stuttering
The treatment of stuttering is by speech therapy. Children who begin stuttering may recover naturally as well but it cannot be said for sure. Hence, it is recommended that children of preschool age should receive treatment for stuttering by a speech therapist. Treatment should ideally be started before 7 years of age as that is when social anxiety starts to develop and it may have a negative impact on the child’s mental health.
Parenting tips for children who stutter
Children who stutter while speaking already feel frustrated at the inability to express their thoughts properly. Stuttering also has a negative impact on their social relationships as friends and family. It can also create anxiety, stress and negative feelings about themselves in their mind.
You as a parent should remain patient and supportive, explaining that stuttering is a normal speech disorder while encouraging their progress to get better. While talking to your child, you should be patient and show interest in what they’re saying. You should not try to finish their words and sentences as it can be frustrating for the child.
