Help! I think my child has started stuttering

Have you been noticing your child repeating words or syllables at the start of a sentence? Do you feel like it’s taking them a long time to “get things out”?

If you’re observing this and feeling concerned, we’re here to reassure you and talk you through this.  It is part of typical speech development for children to repeat some syllables as they are learning to communicate better.  Carly’s oldest daughter actually did this, and we’ve worked with so many kids in the past who’ve done it, too. So if this is happening with your child right now, chances are it’s nothing to be concerned about, especially if your child doesn’t have the risk we mention below.

This post will help you understand when stuttering is considered part of typical development, if and when you may need to see a speech-language pathologist, and what you can do in your own home to help your child speak in a relaxed and calm way.

Technically speaking, what is a stutter?

Stuttering is one of many slight speech irregularities (also known as disfluencies) that tend to come and go as children’s language and communication skills develop. Other common and age-appropriate disfluencies include things like hesitancies and the use of filler words (“like,” or “ummm..”).

We look at stuttering as something kids do when they need to buy themselves more time-- whenever they need to think about what they are trying to say. For this reason, it occurs most often when they’re learning to say things in new ways, and when they’re learning new words.

Is a little stuttering typical? 

Yes! According to The Stuttering Foundation, “it’s completely typical for children between the ages of one and a half and five years of age to occasionally “repeat syllables or words once or twice, li-li-like this.”

You can read the characteristics of mild and severe stuttering here, and the upcoming information will help you understand more about when to seek therapy if needed.

How do I know if my child needs speech therapy? 

Even though some stuttering can be a part of typical development and age-appropriate, there is a point at which you may want to seek some additional support. But because some stuttering is typical, figuring out if a child’s stutter will resolve itself or if it requires extra intervention can be a little tricky.

To help us get to the bottom of things, speech-language pathologists consider the other factors that may be at play for a child who has begun to stutter. We know that a child that has a stutter and any of the risk factors outlined below is more likely to have their stutter persist beyond what’s considered developmentally normal.

If you’re the parent of a child you think might be stuttering and you’re not sure what to do next, learning the risk factors is a great place to start. They’ll be able to signal to you if/when it becomes time to seek treatment from a speech-language pathologist.

If your child has frequent speech disfluencies and you’re not sure if they need therapy, ask yourself the following questions :

Do we have a family history of stuttering?

A family history of stuttering may mean that a child’s stutter will persist. According to The Stuttering Foundation, “there is now strong evidence that almost half of all children who stutter have a family member who stutters.”

How old were they when the stuttering started?

If your child seems to be stuttering before the age of three and a half, then it’s likely a developmental phase and not something you need to be concerned about. 

How long has it been going on?

For the majority of children, this developmental phase will pass on its own without the need for speech therapy. That said, if you notice that what we call the time since onset is longer than 6 months, or that the stutter seems to be getting worse, your child may need speech therapy to help them. 

Girl or boy?

It’s more common for boys than girls to have disfluent speech.

Other Speech and Language Factors

Children with difficulty producing speech sounds, and those with advanced language skills, may need more support.

What can you do About Your Child’s Stuttering? 

There are several things you can do at home to help your child practice speaking in a calm and relaxed way. 

If you feel your child needs speech therapy or if they’re currently in speech therapy, these recommendations will nicely support the work they’re doing with the therapist.

If you are pretty sure your child will grow out of their stuttering, then some extra support from you, along with a little time to learn and grow, may be all they need.

Model It

First, The Stuttering Foundation recommends taking a page out of Mr. Rogers’ book by modeling slow, unhurried speech.

You don’t have to over exaggerate it or speak so slowly that you feel awkward. Just practice showing your child what it looks and sounds like to speak in a slow and relaxed way, with lots of pauses. It really helps if you and the other members of your family can all get on board and do this together.

Give Undivided Attention

Set aside a few moments each day to give your child your full, undivided attention. This way, your child feels unhurried in sharing everything that’s on their mind, without having to rush. 

Take Your Time

Along the same lines, whenever your child speaks directly to you, see if you can wait a moment before responding or answering. This will slow the pace of your conversation, so it’s one more way to reinforce the idea of unhurried, relaxed conversation.

Keep Calm

Realizing that your child is stuttering can be upsetting and even frustrating, but do your best not to get upset with your child when they can’t get their words out right away. Your child is learning so many new things every single day, and that can be a lot for them to deal with. Know that patience, acceptance, and understanding will help them so much more than frustration or annoyance will.

Reassure Them

It’s so hard when your child gets frustrated-- whether it’s about their own stutter, or because you just can’t understand them. Whenever they feel like this, it’s okay to reassure them. According to the Stuttering Foundation, children often respond well to:

• Hearing reassuring words. Try something like, "I know it's hard to talk at times, but lots of people get stuck on words. It's okay." 

• Reassuring touches or hugs

  What’s Next?

Whether you feel confident that your child’s stutter will eventually fade, or you’re starting to think your child needs to see a speech-language pathologist, know that it will be okay. There is support available and services are free for children in most places.

If you have specific questions about your child’s speech, as always, I recommend seeking a speech and language assessment. Oftentimes, speech therapy doesn’t require a doctor's referral, so you can just book right in with a therapist in your area.

What Else Is developmentally appropriate?

Download a copy of our Talking Milestones resource. It explains more about what’s going on for your child at each stage of development, so you can follow along as they learn and grow and can be prepared for what’s coming next.