Many parents and caregivers feel alarmed when they hear their young child begin to stutter. Watching your child struggle to communicate can be frustrating and upsetting. You may wonder, “Will my child outgrow their stutter?” or “Should I be concerned enough to seek professional help?”
In some cases, stuttering is developmental and resolves on its own. Here’s how to recognize stuttering that is considered more typical in children and when to seek help from a speech-language pathologist.
What is stuttering?
Stuttering, also called stammering or disfluency, is a communication disorder that interrupts the natural flow of speech. It may begin gradually and develop over time, or it may appear suddenly.
For many children, stuttering is a natural part of learning language and forming sentences. These children will likely outgrow it. For others, stuttering may worsen with age or continue throughout their lives.
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Is my child’s stuttering typical?
Stuttering can take many forms. The following signs help distinguish more typical stuttering from patterns considered less typical.
More typical stuttering: What most people experience sometimes
- Repeating phrases or whole words (“But-but-but I want one!”)
- Using filler words such as “um” and “uh”
- No negative reaction to or frustration with disfluencies
- No physical tension in the mouth or other parts of the body
- Disfluent periods, or periods of stuttering, that last less than 6 months
- No other speech or language difficulties
Less typical stuttering: More often observed in someone with a fluency disorder
- Blocked sounds, meaning your child tries to make a sound but nothing comes out
- Prolonged sounds (“I fffffffffeel angry.”)
- Repeated sounds or syllables (“I see a b-b-b-baby,” “I want an ap-ap-ap-apple, please.”)
- Secondary behaviors , including movements such as hand flapping, tapping, blinking, or throat clearing, that happen along with the stuttering
- Frustration with or a negative reaction to stuttering
- Disfluent periods that last longer than 6 months
Risk factors for persistent stuttering
Several factors can contribute to a child’s risk for stuttering, including:
- A family history of stuttering
- Being male, because stuttering occurs more often in males
- Consistent periods of stuttering that continue for more than 6 months
- Negative reactions and/or frustration related to stuttering
- Physical tension and/or secondary behaviors
- Stuttering that begins after the child turns 4
- Delayed or disordered language skills
- Other speech sound errors or speech that is difficult to understand
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When should you contact a speech therapist about your child’s stuttering?
The more of these factors your child has, the greater the risk that stuttering will persist. If their stuttering seems to be getting worse, their speech sounds especially strained, or they begin making body or facial movements while speaking, it is best to arrange an evaluation with a licensed speech therapist.
Speech therapists are the professionals most qualified to evaluate your child and determine whether they are at risk for long-term problems. You can contact a speech therapist directly or speak with your child’s pediatrician, who can provide a referral.
So, will your child outgrow their stutter? If they do not show any signs of less typical stuttering and have few of the risk factors listed above, the stutter may go away over time. Even so, closely monitor your child’s speech. If you notice any changes, speak with their doctor or contact a speech therapist.
How can you support a child who stutters at home?
Speech therapists use many strategies to help children manage stuttering. However, you can also help your child speak more smoothly while encouraging a positive attitude and building their confidence. Try modeling “easy speech,” creating opportunities for turn-taking in conversations, and reducing conversational and time pressures.
For more guidance, read this article about what to avoid when talking with a child who stutters, even when the stutter may be temporary.
It is natural to feel concerned when your child begins to stutter. Many children outgrow stuttering, but for some, it persists and can significantly affect communication success and self-esteem. As with most developmental concerns, early intervention is often the best prevention. If you are worried, trust your instincts and reach out to a speech therapist for support.