Stuttering is a type of speech problem. In some cases, a child repeats words or sounds or makes them longer than normal. Other times, a child skips words or sounds.
The cause of stuttering is not known. But it is thought to be caused when the brain has trouble sending and receiving messages for speech. It often gets worse at stressful times, such as when a child speaks in public. It often does not happen when the child sings, whispers, talks while alone or to pets, or reads aloud with a group.
Sometimes stuttering gets better on its own. But some types probably will not get better without treatment. Treatment can be helpful even for short-term stuttering.
Treatment often includes speech therapy for the child and education for parents. Speech therapy can help your child learn speech and language skills. It can also help your child feel better about the way they speak. The more you know about speech development, the better you can help your child at home.
Stuttering is a speech problem that interferes with normal word patterns. A person who stutters involuntarily repeats, draws out, does not complete, or skips sounds or words when speaking.
A person who stutters may:
Stuttering associated with normal speech development is called typical disfluency and usually goes away on its own before puberty. More severe forms of stuttering, called developmental stuttering, usually do not resolve without treatment.
Children who stutter may:
You may notice that your child stutters more when excited, anxious, stressed, or tired. Answering questions or explaining something complex may trigger or increase stuttering.
The same is true for teens and adults. It tends to get worse at stressful times. It often doesn't occur during activities like singing, whispering, talking alone or to pets, or reading aloud.
Treatment for stuttering often includes speech therapy for the child and the involvement of the people closest to them. The speech therapist can help your child speak more smoothly. And the therapist will teach others, such as parents and teachers, how to best help the child at home and at school.
The speech therapist can help you understand how speech develops and teach you how to relate to your child in a positive way. You'll also learn how to help your child at home by using proper eye contact and body language when your child is trying to talk to you.
Speech therapy is important, especially if your child's stuttering lasts, gets worse, or is severe. Working with a speech therapist can help your child master certain speech and language skills and feel better about their ability to speak.
Remember that when stuttering begins in early childhood, it tends to go away on its own. If you think your child's stuttering is not typical disfluency, talk with your child's doctor.
People who stutter may find both speech therapy and counseling helpful. Counseling can help them manage anxiety, low self-esteem, and other problems that can make stuttering worse.
A speech therapist can usually diagnose stuttering by talking with your child. The speech therapist may film or record the child talking or may check speech patterns in other ways. Your child may also need a physical exam and other tests to rule out health problems that affect speech development, such as hearing problems.
Talk with your child's doctor if you have any concerns about your child's speech, if stuttering lasts more than 6 to 12 months, or if stuttering runs in your family.
If you are an adult who has started to stutter, see your doctor. Stuttering that starts in an adult is most often linked to an injury, a health problem, or severe emotional trauma. To diagnose the problem, the doctor will do a physical exam, ask you some questions, and watch and listen to you speak.
Stuttering is thought to be caused when the brain has trouble sending and receiving messages for speech. Doctors don't know why this happens.
Stuttering may run in the family. It may be triggered by things like stress or feeling frustrated.
Stuttering is a speech problem in which a person may repeat, draw out, not complete, or skip words or sounds without meaning to. The problem can range from mild to severe.
Stuttering that starts during a child's early language-learning years (ages 2 through 7 years) and goes away on its own before puberty is called typical disfluency. It's a normal part of language development. Most children aren't bothered by it and may not even notice that they're doing it. This type of stuttering may come and go for a while. Then it may slowly decrease until it doesn't happen anymore.
Stuttering that lasts or gets worse over time is called developmental stuttering. This type of stuttering can be embarrassing and hard to deal with. It probably won't get better without treatment.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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