Stuttering: Will My Child Outgrow It?

A fluency disorder is an interruption in the flow of speaking characterized by atypical rate, rhythm, and disfluencies (e.g., repetitions of sounds, syllables, words, and phrases; sound prolongations; and blocks), and it encompasses both stuttering and cluttering.

Stuttering is the most common fluency disorder and is common when children are learning to talk.

• Repetitions of sounds, syllables, and monosyllabic words (e.g., “Look at the b-b-baby,” “Let’s go out-out-out”).
• Prolongations of consonants (e.g., “Ssssssssometimes we stay home”)
• Blocks (i.e., inaudible or silent fixation or inability to initiate sounds).

Typical Dysfluencies Include:

• Interjections: Use of fillers, such as “uh” or “um” during speech. “I, uh, want to go to the park.”
• Phrase Repetitions: Repeating a phrase more than once. “I am…I am 5 years old.”
• Revisions: Going back and rewording a sentence or phrase. “Who is…what is her name?”

As a parent, this can be a stressful time full of questions. It’s difficult to know what is typical and what isn’t.

Stuttering usually first appears between 2 and 6 years of age. Some children go through a disfluent period of speaking. It is also not unusual for stuttering to be noticeable and then seem to go away for a period of weeks or months only to return. Approximately 88%–91% of these children will recover spontaneously with or without intervention.

Possible causes of stuttering include the following:

• Family history. Many people who stutter have a family member who also stutters.
• Brain differences. People who stutter may have small differences in the way their brain works during speech.

You cannot always know which children will continue to stutter, but the following factors may place them at risk:

• Gender. Boys are more likely to continue stuttering than girls.  Data are currently limited to individuals who identify as male or female.
• Age when stuttering began. Children who start stuttering at age 3½ or later are more likely to continue stuttering.
• Family recovery patterns. Children with family members who continued to stutter are also more likely to continue.

Tips for Speaking with Children Who Stutter

• Watch what you say: Don’t make remarks like “slow down,” “take a breath,” or “relax.” These comments can feel demeaning.
• Let them speak: Don’t finish sentences or fill in words for them. Doing so only increases pressure on the child.
• Give them time: Maintain natural eye contact and give them the time they need to say what they want to say.
• Mind your body language: Let them know by your manner that you are listening to what they say, not how they say it.
• Phone patience: Be aware that children who stutter usually have more trouble controlling their speech on the telephone.

Tips for Families of Young Children Who Stutter

• Reduce the pace: Speak with your child in an unhurried way, pausing frequently. Wait a few seconds after your child finishes before you begin to speak. Your own relaxed speech will be more effective than any advice.
• Listen fully: Increase the times that you give your child your undivided attention.
• Ask questions: Resist asking questions one after the other. Sometimes it is more helpful to comment on what your child has said and wait.
• Take turns: Help members of the family take turns talking and listening. Children find it much easier to talk when there are fewer interruptions.
• Build confidence: Use descriptive praise to build confidence. For example, “I like the way you picked up your toys. You’re so helpful,” instead of, “That’s great!” Praise strengths unrelated to talking, as well, such as athletic and academic skills.
• Normal rules apply: Discipline the child who stutters just as you would if they didn’t stutter.

If you think your child is stuttering, get help from a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) as early as possible. Contact an SLP if any of the following things happen

1. Your child’s stuttering last for 6-12 months or more.
2. Your child starts to stutter later (after 3 ½ years old).
3. Your child starts to stutter more often.
4. Your child tenses up or struggles when talking.
5. Your child avoids talking or says it is too hard to talk.
6. There is a family history of stuttering.

Diagnosing stuttering requires the skills of a certified speech-language pathologist. If you have concerns that your child may be stuttering, contact your doctor to get a referral for an evaluation.