Help for a Child Who Stutters

Information and Advice for this Common Childhood Speech Condition

Oct 22, 2008

Almost 1% of adults and over 3% of children stutter. The medical profession is not surely exactly why people stutter, but they are sure it is not a nervous disorder.

Sometimes normal people just don’t have the ability to get their words out fluently. Children usually begin stuttering at about two-years-old, and most will stop by the time they are five. This article will help you help a child that stutters by offering positive communication techniques.

Statistics on Stuttering

To help you understand some of the facts surrounding stuttering, here are some quick statistics found in the May 2002 article "Stuttering", by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders:

Helping a Child Who Stutters

One of the most important things you can do to help a child that stutters is to speak very calmly and pause frequently. Using short sentences will also help. A child can pick up on emotions very quickly, and if he can tell you are getting upset at his stuttering, it can actually make it worse.

If a stuttering child is allowed to talk freely, this can really have a great impact. Avoid asking your child a lot of questions. Even if you don't realize it, pressure is placed upon the child to answer. As your child becomes nervous, it may be more difficult to keep the stuttering under control.

Positive facial expressions will go a long way in helping the child. If you can focus on what the child is saying, instead of how he is saying it, the child will usually feel more relaxed. You may even start to see a difference in his speech control.

Never tell you child to hurry up or slow down. Your child needs all the positive reinforcement you can give, and the previous statements may make your child feel inadequate. Take the time to talk to the rest of your family as well. Everyone needs to understand the importance of positive behavior when coping with a child's stuttering.

There are many speech therapists that will be able to give you more tips and tools to helping with your child's stuttering. Many school districts across the country offer speech therapy classes to try and help your child speak clearer. Also, your pediatrician will be able to offer advice and point you in the right direction to help your child.

Above all, let your child know you will love him no matter what. Unconditional love and support are so important to helping a child that stutters. Your child needs to understand you will take him as he is.

More Information About Stuttering

Stuttering is more than likely a genetic condition. Even if you did not stutter as a child, chances are somewhere in your recent family (or your partner's family), someone had the same speech difficulty as your child.

What many believe to be stuttering is actually "pseudostuttering," a condition that mimics true stuttering. The difference between the two is that pseudostuttering is more common, and will generally last only up to six months before it goes away without intervention (or very light intervention). True stuttering is much less common, and leads to repetitions of sounds. It can last for a longer period of time, and often causes a child to become embarrassed by the condition. Both conditions can benefit from speech therapy, if prescribed by your pediatrician.

Stuttering is a common childhood condition and does not need to cause alarm. The main thing is to treat your child normally, and chances are the condition will go virtually unnoticed by him. You may have to speak with teachers and other adults who have any responsibility for your child about the stuttering, especially when it comes to other children making fun of your child. You will both get through this phase of childhood in no time.

Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice. You should always seek the advice of a medical professional for definitive stuttering solutions for your child.

The copyright of the article Help for a Child Who Stutters in Early Childhood Development is owned by Denise Oliveri. Permission to republish Help for a Child Who Stutters in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.