Some forms of stuttering are a typical part of childhood development. However, a child may have a fluency disorder that needs treatment if they repeat or prolong sounds, have blocks in their speech, avoid speaking, or make body movements while stuttering.
Key takeaways
- Between 5% and 10% of all children will stutter, often between ages 2 and 6. About 75% of these children are likely to outgrow it, while the remaining 25% may need speech therapy.
- Typical stuttering behaviors may include repeating words or phrases and using filler words such as “um.”
- Signs of a fluency disorder last longer than 6 months and include repeating or stretching out sounds, having blocks in speech, avoiding speaking, or making body movements while stuttering.
- When diagnosing stuttering, speech therapists look for red flags such as a family history of stuttering, stuttering that begins after age 3½, or other difficulties with speech or language skills. Boys are more likely to stutter than girls.
- If your child is stuttering or having trouble communicating, scheduling an evaluation with a speech therapist is recommended.
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Key statistics about stuttering
Approximately 5% to 10% of children go through a period of stuttering, also called stammering, during their development, often between ages 2 and 6. About 75% of these children are likely to grow out of it without intervention. The remaining 25% may need speech therapy. This does not mean they are anxious or not intelligent. Stuttering is simply part of who they are, like their hair or eye color.
How can you tell if it is a stutter?
A stutter is also known as a disfluency, meaning an interruption in the normal flow of speech. Stuttering behaviors can take many forms. Here is how more typical disfluencies, which most people experience from time to time, compare with less typical disfluencies, which are more common among people who stutter.
More typical disfluencies:
- 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 the disfluencies
- No signs of physical tension
- Periods of disfluency that last less than 6 months
- No other speech or language difficulties
Less typical disfluencies:
- Blocked sounds (the person tries to make a sound, but nothing comes out)
- Prolonged sounds (“I ffffffffffeel angry.”)
- Repeated sounds or syllables (“I see a b-b-b-baby” or “I want an a-a-a-a-apple, please.”)
- Secondary behaviors (movements such as hand flapping, tapping, blinking, or throat clearing) that occur along with the stuttering
- Frustration with or a negative reaction to stuttering
- Periods of disfluency that last longer than 6 months
What are the risk factors for persistent stuttering?
What causes a stutter? When determining whether a child has persistent stuttering that needs treatment, speech-language pathologists look for certain red flags. These include:
- A family history of stuttering
- Consistent periods of disfluency lasting longer than 6 months
- Stuttering that begins after age 3½
- Delayed or disordered language skills, or advanced language skills
- Other speech sound errors or difficulty being understood
It is also important to know that stuttering occurs more often in males than in females.
Related guides
When should I contact a speech therapist about stuttering?
Everyone has moments of disfluency. We all trip over words, repeat ourselves, or say “um.” For some people, however, disfluency begins to affect communication. A licensed speech-language pathologist, also called a speech therapist, is trained to evaluate and treat stuttering and fluency disorders.
If your child has bumps in their speech, seems to be stuttering, or shows any of the signs listed above, it is a good idea to schedule an evaluation with a speech therapist. Get matched with the right speech therapist for your child here.
Learn more about stuttering
For more information about stuttering, including what causes it, how it is diagnosed, what stuttering therapy involves, and how to support someone who stutters, explore our stuttering treatment guide and stuttering video series.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What can cause a child to stutter?
Some children stutter while learning to speak, then naturally outgrow the stutter as their language develops. Scientists are still studying the causes of true fluency disorders, also called clinical stuttering. Genetics or a family history of stuttering may play a role. Clinical stuttering may also be related to differences in brain function and speech-motor control, or in how a person processes language.
Why did my 2-year-old suddenly start stuttering?
Some toddlers stutter while learning to talk, and the stutter fades as their language develops. If your child’s stutter lasts longer than 6 months, it is a good idea to contact a speech therapist for an evaluation.
At what age should you be concerned about stuttering?
Stuttering usually begins in toddlers or preschoolers between ages 2 and 5. As with most speech issues, the earlier speech therapy begins, the better. Talk with a speech therapist if your child’s stuttering lasts longer than 6 months, gets worse over time, or is accompanied by body or facial movements while speaking. You should also contact a speech therapist if your child avoids situations that require talking or continues to stutter after age 5.
What exercises can help a child who stutters?
Your child’s speech therapist can recommend the right exercises or techniques to help your child manage stuttering. At home, you can help by keeping the pressure low and not correcting your child’s speech when they stutter. If they are struggling to say a word or sentence, let them finish without saying it for them. Avoid comments such as “take a deep breath” or “slow down.” Instead, model a slow, relaxed way of speaking, which will help your child slow down their own speech.