Stutering

[Jester]

I am not even sure how to spell it!

My DS is 2 and half and is really starting to put sentences together and not just repeat things but have conversations. But when he goes to say things he starts with a long stuter and then gets it out. Is this normal? I was thinking maybe he is just trying to get it right in his head before saying it and it is just a learning thing but I have not hear it from any of my neices and nephew. Does any one have any experience with stutters do they start this early what would you recommend.

Thanks for your help.

[punkbaby]

DD is 3 in december, i find she stutters quiet a bit but more so when she is bursting to tell me something or excited etc, now if she stutters i take her hand and say now stop, slow down and tell mummy slowly it seems to work and she doesnt stutter as much as she did, she still does though when shes excited or scared etc. As normally most of the time you dont notice it i am just playing it by ear at the moment to see if she gets worse :)

Have you had a chat to your gp or health nurse about this? just an idea there may be some things you can do which may help

[Myztik]

ds1 went through a stage of stuttering if he was trying to tell me something quickly or, like PB said, when he was excited etc. I'd just get him to stop and slow down and he was fine. He still does it occaisionally but it's nothing I'm worried about.

[~Bec~]

I have stutttered all my life (albeit mildly).

On behalf of stutters can I just ask that you please don't try and finish what they are trying to say, that's really frustrating and undermines our confidence.

Sometimes it's because we are trying to speak too quickly. When you stutter it's like you physically can't get the word out - and some words are harder than others.

There is a theory that children stutter if they have to compete a lot for attention or to get their two cents in.

Encourage them to talk to strangers (I mean with you present :p) like when you're at the shops get them to say thank you or order their drink etc, that sort of thing.

Make sure no other siblings or peers tease them about it - it really hurts when this happens. :gloomy:

[Nats80]

I'm certainly not an expert on this sort of thing, so can't give any advice, but noticed my nephew (almot 2) has started stuttering lately. He only seems to do it when he is upset, trying to get his mothers attention or feeling unsure ..... he will go "ma ma mummy" whilst reaching out to her. I said to my SIL that it seems like he is almost meaning to do it ..... and would probably just grow out of it as he gets older and more confident. couldn't hurt to mention it to your gp either. :)

[~Bec~]

This is a subject very close to my heart. :)

By all means mention it to your GP/CHN but I wouldn't expect there is much they can do or recommend. I'm not sure how much things have progressed in the last 30 or so years but I got told some pretty shocking information as to why I stuttered as a child. I'd probably do some research on the internet first.

If it's only mild and doesn't appear to get any worse they may grow out of it. However, my mum used to say that to me, I'm still waiting to grow out of it at 37 :rolleyes:

If it does get worse I would get in touch with a speech therapist.

[Rell]

:yes: It is very normal for a child to stutter around that age. My DD started to stutter at 2 1/2 years so i asked my CHN about it. She reasurred me that it is normal at this age because often their mouth can't keep up with thier brain. She did say if it continued for more the 6mths then to come back and see her. From memery it only lasted a few mths.

[2blueangels]

I was abit worried when my 2.5yr old DS began to stutter, but then I realised he was just trying to get his words out too fast. He speaks very well and can always hold his own in a conversation, speaking clearly and fluently, and he only seems to stutter when he is tired or very excited. I just tell him to slow down now and that helps. It's good to hear that it is normal though.:yes:

[subaruforestermum]

Yeah DS is around 28 months old, and he does the same thing, I just tell him to slow down and think about what he wants to say then try again, and he then comes out with it!

Although dont forget they are still learning to use words, and learning how to pronounce words etc, so seems normal in my opinion!

[Ky]

A lot of kids around this age stutter as their little brains are going too fast for their little tongues and mouths to get around the words they want to say in time for the next thought!

Both of my kids went through a stage of stuttering and I don't think it is a worry unless you find that it is occuring still after a few more months and not improving at all.

Just encourage your ds to slow down and take his time in telling you his story/request etc. Presenting a calm atmosphere and showing that you are listening may help him to collect his thoughts and give himself more time to express them.

Sounds like a great kid with a heap to tell you :thumbsup:

[Jester]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for your help. I have found this on the net for those interested. So I think I will give it a few months and see how he goes.


Many toddlers and preschool age children stutter as they are learning to talk, and although many parents worry about it, most of these children will outgrow the stuttering and will have normal speech as they get older. Since most of these children don't stutter as adults, this normal stage of speech development is usually referred to as psuedostuttering or as a normal dysfluency.
As children learn to talk, they may repeat certain sounds, stumble on or mispronounce words, hesitate between words, substitute sounds for each other, and be unable to express some sounds. Children with a normal dysfluency usually have brief repetitions of certain sounds, syllables or short words. The stuttering usually comes and goes and is most noticeable when a child is excited, stressed or overly tired.
It is not usually known what causes some children to stutter, but it does seem to be genetic, and a child is more likely to stutter if a parent also stutters. Stuttering is also more likely occur in children who are under a lot of stress, for example, after starting a new day care, moving, birth of a new sibling, etc., and it is more common in boys.
Stuttering is usually not a concern, as long as it doesn't persist for more than two to three months or at least gradually improve during that time period. Until it does go away by itself, some steps you can take to help your child, include:
Not correcting or interrupting him when his is talking, and ask others to not correct him either.
Not asking him to repeat himself or tell him to slow down.
Don't make him practice saying certain words or sounds.
Be sure to talk to your child slowly and clearly and give him the time he needs to finish what he is trying to say.
Talk to your child a lot by discussing his day, narrating out loud the things you are doing and reading books.
Try to minimize stress or situations that make the stuttering worse.If the stuttering is ignored, it will usually resolve without any intervention. Parents will need to be supportive though if the stuttering is bothering their child.

True stuttering is much less common than psuedostuttering. Unlike children with pseudostuttering, children with true stuttering are more likely to have long repetitions of some sounds, syllables or short words. While it may also come and go, true stuttering occurs more often than pseudostuttering and occurs more consistently. Children with true stuttering are also more likely to notice the stuttering and to be anxious or embarrased by it and may develop a fear of speaking.
For children with pseudostuttering, if the stuttering does persist more than two or three months, or is making your child anxious or self-consciousness, then he may benefit from a speech evaluation and treatment with speech therapy. Children with true stuttering, especially if it is making them anxious or embarrased, should be evaluated by a speech pathologist, who can begin speech therapy.

I am not to sure why Jacob is stressed it is not like as if he knows he is doing it so I will just give it time.

Thanks Again:wave:

[our little treasures]

This is great! My ds 2.5 has full on conversations with us and speaks clearly but occasionally he will stutter (if excited) or he says umm umm umm umm about 6 times until I start saying what he wants to say..

Becs999 I actually finish some people conversations so they know I understand them. I won't do it now:hugs: Personally I hate when someone does it to me so I don't know why I thought I was helping:o