Stuttering
Stuttering is a common speech delay problem characterized by your child's speech being interrupted by pauses or repeated sounds. Stuttering is most common in toddlers and preschoolers when language skills are rapidly developing. It is most common between 2 and 6 years old and more common in boys than girls. Most often in is a developmental problem, rather than a serious health issue. It typically resolves in a few months, if it lasts longer, speech therapy may be helpful.
Treatment- The goal of treatment is to provide a relaxed environment for your child which will help reduce the pressure on your child when they are attempting to speak. Steps that can be taken to achieve this include:
- Provide a relaxed environment
- Let your child take his or her time when speaking
- Speak in a slow and relaxed manner yourself
- Don't focus too much attention on the stuttering
- Don't criticize or punish your child for stuttering
If your child is still stuttering after 6 months, please call our office. They may be referred to a speech-language pathologist for further testing, diagnosis and treatment. They can often offer solutions to help your child speak more fluently.