Stuttering is a common problem for children. In fact, about 5% of children stutter as preschoolers.
Fortunately, most of these children have what is called a developmental dysfluency or pseudostuttering that they will soon outgrow. Stuttering in these young children is thought to be related to how quickly they are learning to talk and usually only needs treatment if it is lasting for more than six months or is causing the child some anxiety about talking to people.
About 1% of children continue to have problems with stuttering as they get older.
Symptoms of Stuttering
Children who stutter have their speech interrupted when they repeat or prolong certain sounds, syllables, parts of works, or whole words as they talk. Stuttering is more common in boys, is thought to be genetic (can run in families), and is likely a neurological disorder (based in the brain).
Diagnosis of Stuttering
Most children who have stuttering that is lasting for more than six months should have a complete evaluation by a certified speech-language pathologist. Even preschoolers who stutter more than 10% of the time may benefit from seeing a certified speech-language pathologist, although you can often wait to see if they outgrow their stuttering, especially if it isn't bothering them.
Stuttering Therapy
There is no cure for stuttering, but treatments for stuttering can include:
- speech therapy, including therapy at intensive clinics or summer clinics
- electronic devices based on the technique of choral speech or the choral effect, in which everything a stuttering person is saying is matched by another person, like people singing in a chorus or choir. Electronic devices that can be placed in a stuttering child's ear can actually replay what the child is saying after a very brief delay, mimicking the choral effect and decreasing or even eliminating a child's stuttering.
- medications - not commonly used though
A certified speech-language pathologist can help you figure out what the best stuttering therapy is for your child.
Keep in mind that some stuttering therapies, especially the electronic devices based on the choral effect, even if they initially work, may not be permanent.
What You Need To Know
- Stuttering is not caused by psychological or emotional problems.
- Don't interrupt your stuttering child or try to finish his sentences. Make sure that he feels like he has plenty of time to talk to you and doesn't feel rush or uncomfortable.
- Help to reassure your child when he stutters so that he doesn't get more frustrated and don't get upset yourself, which can increase your child's anxiety.
- Many famous people, including celebrities who frequently had to speak in public had problems with stuttering, including Winston Churchill, Jack Welch, Marilyn Monroe, James Earl Jones, Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, Tiger Woods, and John Stossel of ABC News.
- Get an evaluation from a certified speech-language pathologist if your child's stuttering is becoming a problem.
- Children who stutter may qualify for speech therapy at school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Sources:
Behrman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 17th ed.
A neurological basis of stuttering? Maguire GA - Lancet Neurol - 01-NOV-2002; 1(7): 407.
Developmental dysfluency: early intervention is key. Weir E - CMAJ - 8-JUN-2004; 170(12): 1790-1.
Stuttering improved with risperidone. van Wattum PJ - J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry - 01-FEB-2006; 45(2): 133.
Inducement of fluent speech in persons who stutter via visual choral speech. Kalinowski J - Neurosci Lett - 10-MAR-2000; 281(2-3): 198-200.
