Is my child’s stuttering normal?
Photo by Natalie
Do you hear your toddler or preschooler stutter when they speak? Maybe they repeat words or syllables when they talk? Sometimes, it may even take longer for them to express their ideas. Do you wonder if this is something about which to be concerned? Stuttering usually starts between 2 and 6 years of age. Many children go through normal periods of disfluency lasting less than six months; however, if stuttering lasts longer than this, it may require intervention.
So, what is stuttering?
The Stuttering Foundation defines stuttering as, ". . . a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak." Stuttering can be normal in language development as children learn to organize and express their thoughts. However, stuttering can also be mild to severe in some cases and require intervention.
It's also possible they are going through periods of normal disfluency that most children experience as they learn to speak. Below we explain the difference between stuttering and typical language development.
Typical disfluencies that likely do NOT indicate a problem:
Repeating whole words (“Maybe - maybe we can play”)
Repeating whole phrases (“Can I have - Can I have a snack?”)
Interjections (“Umm . . uhh . . like”)
Revisions (I can’t.... - I need help”)
No tension in face or body when speaking
Child does not seem frustrated or have a negative reaction to speaking
No secondary behaviors, like eye blinking or facial grimacing
Usually no family history of stuttering
Disfluencies last less than 6 months
We see typical disfluencies happen mostly between the ages one and one-half and five years, and they tend to come and go. These disfluencies usually indicate that a child is learning to use language in new ways. When we see disfluencies come and go, a child may just be going through another learning stage.
Stuttering that is NOT typical and possibly indicates a stuttering disorder:
Repeating sounds or syllables in a word (“p-p-p-please can I have some?”)
Prolonging sounds or parts of a word (“mmmmmmy mom is over there”)
Blocks or noticeably being stuck when speaking, like the sounds can’t come out
Your child struggles to speak, or shows some type of tension with their face or body
They may blink, change their facial expression, or the pitch/loudness of their voice
You may notice frustration or some sort of negative reaction to speaking
Your child may avoid talking or speak less
Family history of stuttering is often present
Disfluencies last longer than 6 months, or begins after the age of 3 1/2.
Ways you can help your child:
Give your child wait time to talk
Try not to rush your child
Don’t interrupt or stop your child while they speak
Try not to finish your child’s sentences
Speak in a relaxed, easy manner to your child
Ask less questions, to ease the pressure
If a sibling tries to talk for them or interrupt them, try to give each child their own time to talk (First, Sam’s turn to talk and then your turn)
* If your child stutters, this brochure is also a great resource for ways to talk to your child.
When to see a professional
If you think your child is stuttering, and it’s not normal disfluencies, it’s best to talk to a speech-language pathologist to determine if intervention is needed. By getting help early, you are lowering the chances that your child will continue to stutter.
Contact your pediatrician or a speech therapist if you notice the following:
Stuttering has lasted for 6–12 months or more.
Your child started stuttering after the age of 3 1/2.
The stuttering is becoming more frequent.
Your child tenses up or struggles when talking.
You notice your child is avoiding talking or may tell you it’s too hard to talk.
There is a family history of stuttering.
Resources:
Characteristics of Typical Disfluency and Stuttering
How Can You Tell if Childhood Stuttering is the Real Deal?
Stuttering Facts and Information
If You Think Your Child is Stuttering . . .
Sources:
American Speech-Language Hearing Association (adapted from Coleman, 2013)
“Stuttering.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, ASHA, www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/stuttering/. Accessed 7/16/2020
Guitar, Barry, and Edward G Conture. “If You Think Your Child Is Stuttering...” Stuttering Foundation: A Nonprofit Organization Helping Those Who Stutter, www.stutteringhelp.org/if-you-think-your-child-stuttering. Accessed 7/16/2020.
