Stuttering and Fluency Disorders

It is not uncommon for children between the ages of 2½ and 4 to present with typical disfluencies (e.g, whole word repetitions, easy, part-word repetitions). These typical disfluencies may come and go and are usually a sign that the child is learning to use language in new ways. Most children who demonstrate disfluencies prior to the age of 4 will recover without intervention. Children who begin to stutter after the age of 4 are at greater risk for persistent developmental stuttering.

Risk factors for persistent developmental stuttering:

• Family history of stuttering
• Child is male
• Stuttering has continued for 6 months or longer
• Stuttering types and severity change over time
• Presence of other speech or language disorders

Early intervention is the most effective way to help children and families when there is concern about stuttering. It is therefore important for parents and pediatricians to seek an evaluation by a qualified speech-language pathologist as soon as there are concerns about a child’s stuttering. School-age children, adolescents, and adults can also benefit from treatment.

Suggestions for helping your child through periods of developmental stuttering:

• Wait patiently for your child to finish what they want to say
• Don’t finish your child’s sentences
• Avoid telling your child to “slow down” or “relax”
• Model a relaxed manner of speaking for your child
• When possible, ensure your child knows they have your full attention when speaking
• Focus on “what” your child is saying and not “how” they are saying it