Hesitancy in Speech DS aged 5

[citylover]

Hi my younger DS aged 5 has been getting on fine at school (y1) and has just had a glowing report fluent reader, happy etc.

A few months ago he had a phase whereby there was alot of hesitancy with his speech and it would be a real effort for him to get his words out. I raised this with his teacher and we decided it was just a phase and it did stop (and it wasn't all the time when he did have it).

However just recently, since going back to school after half term, it has started again and the TA (who is covering this week) mentioned it to me me this morning. She is going to refer him to the school's speech specialist.

I a a bit worried that drawing attention to it will make it worse, on the other hand if it's a real problem of course don't want to ignore it. Would not describe it as stutter/stammer more not being able to get whole words/sentences out.

Anyone had any thing similar with their DCs. Could it be stres related?

[Socci]

Message withdrawn

[Flowertop]

Hi, I have had experience with my DS1 with speech hesitancy and he does also have a stammer. He is now 8 and does stammer/hesitate. In all honesty I would say if the TA is suggesting you get help then please don't worry about drawing attention to it. The therapist will know what to do so that the focus is not drawn totally to his speech. If it does continue I would recommend that you do find someone who is trained in fluency problems. You may find as in all these things that it is just a phase that he will grown out of but I would not leave it to chance.

[citylover]

Thanks for this. I am going to see the speech specialist next week.

And it seems that possibly the rush with the afternoon register is a stress factor for him.

The TA told me this morning that he told her yesterday he didn't like her and when she asked why he said its because you rush the register. She said if she made it slower would it make a difference and he said no I still wouldn't like you!!! She seems a lovely lady and not offended by it.

It also happens when he is asking questions in and out of school. So will see how it goes next week when his regular teacher is back.

[ironingqueen]

Ds had this aged 5ish. We saw the speech therapist many times, specialist referral, private therapy etc. One of the things we all had to do was to all slow down our speech, so he would slow down too. Also, not supposed to say "Slow down," or "Take a breath," or anything like that. Just listen, pause, and reply.