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What are the signs that my child has a stuttering problem?
Everybody has difficulty speaking at times. We’ve all stuttered through a nerve-wracking speech or filled phrases with “um” or “uh.” When a youngster has a stuttering problem, though, finding the right words can be a daily challenge. Stuttering commonly begins between the ages of two and five, however, it can occur at any moment before reaching adolescence. Keep an eye out for the following signs:
- Frequently repeats the first sound of a word three times or more (ki-ki-ki-ki-kitten).
- When stuck on a word, “uh” is frequently substituted for the natural vowel sound (Buh-Buh-Buh-bicycle).
- Certain sounds are dragged out (motorcycle)
- Too quick to speak
- Long pauses appear in unexpected locations, even within words.
- While speaking, he tenses up and appears concerned.
- When he is nervous or uncomfortable, he has more difficulty speaking.
Why does my kid stutter?
Nobody knows why people stutter. Many scientists believe that minor flaws in a child’s brain might affect the timing and rhythm of his speech. Some kids have problems catching fly balls, and others simply lack the linguistic coordination to communicate adequately. Stuttering is four times more common in boys than in girls, and it can run in families. It has nothing to do with IQ, and it’s certainly not an indicator of poor parenting or underlying psychological issues. Stuttering can be exacerbated by stressful events such as relocating to a new city, but they do not create the problem in the first place.
What can I do to assist my child in improving stuttering?
If your child stutters, he will need your patience and encouragement. Your encouragement will assist him in finding his voice and preventing minor issues from becoming more serious. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
- Maintain normal eye contact with your youngster when he fumbles in a phrase and patiently wait for him to complete.
- Speak to him in a steady, soothing tone.
- Make time every day for enjoyable, stress-free interactions.
- Instead of condemning your youngster, pay attention to him. Telling him to “start over” or “slow down” will just make him feel uneasy and self-conscious, exacerbating the problem.
- Tell him you understand and sympathize with his situation. When he finishes a difficult statement, tell him that “speech can be difficult at times” or that his hard work makes you proud. If you act as if the stuttering doesn’t exist, your youngster may believe it’s a heinous crime.
I’m not sure what I should say to my child’s teacher.
If possible, speak with your child’s teacher before the start of the school year. Explain how you deal with your child’s stuttering at home, and ask her to adopt the same patient, understanding attitude. Tell her that your child does not require special treatment, but that he may require extra assistance with reading aloud and other assignments. Inquire with the teacher about your child’s ability to complete some of these tasks at home. For a child who struggles to speak in class, reading aloud to a parent might be a beneficial practice.
Is it necessary for me to bring my child to a speech therapist?
Make an appointment with a speech therapist for an evaluation if your child displays signs of stuttering. The majority of school-aged children who stammer will require one-on-one counseling with a professional. Therapists treat stuttering in a variety of ways, but the majority will focus on helping your child’s speech become slower and more relaxed. If your youngster can learn to take his time without becoming agitated, he will most likely be able to solve his difficulty. A speech therapist may be able to show you how to do the therapy at home. Unsurprisingly, when parents impart the teachings, they seem to sink in even faster.
Will my child’s stuttering continue indefinitely?
Most likely not. Experts predict that by the age of 16, roughly 80% of all children who stammer will have developed perfectly normal speech. Older children who have been stuttering for a long time, on the other hand, are more likely to have a long-term problem. Even if your child’s stuttering never goes away, he can enhance his speech patterns and live the life he wishes.
