Son suddenly started stammering - 2.3

[Welshwabbit]

Just wondering if anyone can share experiences really. Yesterday, my son (who had previously had no problems at all with speech fluency) suddenly started stammering. He will say "I want- want- want- want-" and then get it out; also have problems with "got" and "don't". The worst one is saying "It isn't" or "I couldn't" - he repeats those phrases several times and a few times he has just given up and said "I can't speak". It is obviously distressing him. We are trying to ignore it and just give him a chance to say what he wants, but it is upsetting watching him struggle.

I have looked at some stuff online, and have seen articles saying that this can just come and then disappear, but may also be more long-term. I have filled out a self-referral form for SLT services in our area because I figure it's better to get in the system, as I know referrals can take a really long time to come through. Just wondering if anyone could share their own experience. I know it will probably resolve itself, but it is horrible watching him get frustrated with himself.

As background, I think his speech and language development is pretty normal for his age, although he is my first so I have nothing to compare it with. He speaks in sentences and I think has a pretty average level of vocabulary, although I've never counted his words. Until yesterday, we had got to a stage where he could get most things he wanted across to me, and visitors could understand most of what he said.

[snozzlemaid]

My dd had a bit of a stutter at a similar age. I pretty much ignored it as you are and didn't make a big deal of it. It didn't last long at all.
Dp was much more concerned than I was and I had to ask him not to make anything of it as he was prone to say something when she did it.
I think it's common at that age. Their brains are racing away but their mouths can't keep up.

[onestepbeyond]

There was a very similar thread on here a little while ago and a lot of people said their dcs did the same and it was a case of brain working faster than mouth! My dd1 did it from about 2.5 to 3.5 and is just cpming out of it now.

[Lion5711]

My son was exactly the same at that age, has been referred but just practised extreme patience and listening since, now 3yo. Looking forward to seeing the therapist. Do read into speech surges as it maybe that.

[Welshwabbit]

Thanks for the responses. It has got progressively worse over the week and he is now straining to get words out in virtually every sentence and sometimes getting upset. He also makes a sort of explosive raspberry/"buu" noise after he's been trying one word for a while, and that's often what makes him upset. I've looked at the stuff on dysfluency, but this is now looking more like an actual stammer. I've sent the referral forms off to our local Community Services so will just wait and see.

[Pointeshoes]

Ow bless him , I hope you get some help. My son used to do this fro. The age of 2 - 3 1/2 if he was excited, in a new situation or if he was tired. He often did it at his Nannys and she would mention it every time , he was fine at home. He's ok now at four, I think it's quite a common faze.

[Welshwabbit]

Just to update those of you who were kind enough to reply, the stammering got worse and went on for about 2 months. I got a "drop in" appointment with SALT, which was of course about a week after it seemed to stop! The session was good; we got to talk to the SALT and even though the stammer had largely gone, she didn't mind us still going. She gave us some more tips to deal with it if it recurs and also some groups we can go to. So thank you all for your help - hopefully it was just a phase and won't come back!