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Does your child sometimes repeat sounds or words, stretch out sounds, or appear to get stuck when trying to speak?
Stuttering in children can affect the smooth flow of speech. It may involve repeating sounds, syllables or words, prolonging sounds, or experiencing moments where speech feels blocked.
Stuttering often begins during the preschool years. If you notice your child stuttering, a Speech Pathologist can assess their speech and help determine whether support is recommended.
They might be stuttering! Stuttering is a type of disorder that makes a child’s talking sound ‘bumpy’. They might have one or more of the following behaviours:
- Repeating sounds (e.g., I-I-I’m tired), parts of words (e.g., di-di-dinosaur), whole words (e.g., it-it-it was yummy), or phrases,
- Blocking (sounds like sounds/words are getting stuck),
- Prolongation (where they elongate a sound) (e.g. iiiiiiit was yummy).
Sometimes these behaviours are accompanied by other secondary behaviours that happen as a result of a stutter. They are not stuttering behaviours themselves.
Some children may also show physical tension or other behaviours when they stutter, such as blinking, facial tension or avoiding particular words or speaking situations.
Stuttering affects children differently. Some children may appear unconcerned by their stuttering, while others may experience frustration, embarrassment or anxiety about speaking.
Over time, some children may begin avoiding particular words or speaking situations. This is another reason why seeking advice early can be helpful.
What Causes Stuttering in Children?
There is no single known cause of stuttering. However, research has identified several factors that may be associated with a greater likelihood that childhood stuttering will persist.
Factors associated with a greater likelihood of persistent stuttering can include:
- a family history of persistent stuttering
- stuttering that continues for several months without improvement
- beginning to stutter at an older preschool age
- being male
- some co-occurring speech or language difficulties.
These factors do not determine what will happen for an individual child. A Speech Pathologist considers the child’s overall communication profile, stuttering characteristics and history when making recommendations.
Will My Child Grow Out of Stuttering?
Some children recover from stuttering naturally, while stuttering persists for others. It is not possible to predict with certainty which individual children will recover without intervention.
For this reason, Speech Pathology Australia recommends speaking with a Speech Pathologist when you first notice stuttering rather than waiting to see whether it resolves on its own.
When Should I Seek Help for Stuttering?
It is a good idea to speak with a Speech Pathologist if you notice your child beginning to stutter, particularly if the stuttering is increasing, your child appears frustrated or concerned about speaking, or there is a family history of persistent stuttering.
Early assessment can help determine the type and severity of your child’s stuttering, identify factors that may influence whether it persists, and guide recommendations for monitoring or therapy.
How Can a Speech Pathologist Help?
A Speech Pathologist can assess your child’s stuttering and recommend an appropriate approach based on their age, communication needs and individual circumstances.
Treatment for childhood stuttering may involve working directly with your child as well as supporting parents and carers with strategies to use in everyday conversations.
Innerlink Therapy provides Speech Pathology assessment and therapy for children who stutter from our clinic in Belmore, Sydney.
If you are concerned about your child’s speech fluency, contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss whether a Speech Pathology assessment may be appropriate.
References
Cherif, L., Boudabous, J., Khmakhem, K., Kammoun, S., Hadj, I., Ayadi, H., & Moalla, Y. (2018). Self-esteem and anxiety in stuttering children and attitude of their parents. Health Edu Care, 3(2), 1-5. DOI: 10.15761/HEC.1000138
https://www.stutteringhelp.org/content/recognize-risk-factors-stuttering
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/stuttering