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My 3 year old stutter

10 replies

Stutterhelp · 27/12/2020 21:04

Not sure where to put this so sorry for duplication

I have a son who is was 3 in August, he started with a little stutter just before (maybe end of July/ August ) starting preschool in Sept.

We are under the impression it is just because he gets excited and has too much to get out.
The preschool have said they are keeping an eye on it and will refer if they think it's necessary, they say he's quite ahead for his age so are not worried about at this stage.
It has reduced now he has broken up from preschool.

I read that you shouldn't finish the sentence, should smile and allow them to finish their word and not draw attention to it.

Has anyone else experienced this ?
Did following these recommendations help.

Any other advice or experiences of a stutter did they just outgrow

I am also considering consulting a speech therapist after this coming term as he starts school in Sept and would maybe like a little help before then, .??

Any advice or stories welcomed

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ArnoldBee · 27/12/2020 21:08

My son did this. It was just because he had so many ideas that needed to come out! Keep an eye on it and give him space to finish what he is saying. It just magically disappeared when he was about 4. He's 8 now and has always been extremely articulate.

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ArnoldBee · 27/12/2020 21:11

His stutter disappeared when he decided he was going to be dry at night which he mastered in 1 night so I think it was just developmental in his case.

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Sausagis · 27/12/2020 21:17

My DD developed a stutter - just had so much to say. It was a bit of a panic as DH stutters and there can be a genetic element. We went to see the speech therapists (one was really helpful and one a useless old bag) and went for the ignoring it option and she grew out of it quite quick.

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bravefox · 27/12/2020 21:24

Yep another one who grew out of it at 3/4yrs old. The advice you have been given sounds really good.

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Stutterhelp · 28/12/2020 21:35

Thank you for your advice.

It's so tough knowing what's best as you want to make sure you give them all the help possible.

It shows how conflicted opinions are, I have popped this in the parenting section also, as was unsure where to put it, and the advice off those was to ring a speech therapist and get help as early as possible. I suppose it a call I will just have to make, but again thanks for your advice.

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BendingSpoons · 30/12/2020 22:14

I'm a Speech Therapist. It is fairly common for young children to stutter and often resolves. It is often linked to language, either delayed or advanced language skills. I would generally be more concerned if the stutter has been going on over 6 months, there is a family history, the child is bothered or starting to demonstrate additional behaviours e.g. screwing up their face as if trying to push the words out.

What you have mentioned about giving them time to finish and focusing on WHAT they say is good. It can also be helpful to ask less questions and comment instead. If the child is a bit frustrated you can acknowledge their talking was a bit bumpy but they tried hard and did well.

I would keep an eye on it and consider speaking to someone if you are still concerned once he has been back at pre-school for a few weeks.

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Stutterhelp · 31/12/2020 17:51

Thank you so much @BendingSpoons.

Well since he has been on holidays his stutter improved, but then yesterday for the first time he seemed a little strained at getting the word out, rather than a stutter as such, he seemed to start the word but then sort of half closed one eye and a bit strained, almost trying to push the word out.

@BendingSpoons In his preschool they put his language ahead of his age and said his vocabulary is advanced and varied so not to worry, but I was under the impression a stutter is not something NOT to worry about just because his vocabulary is ok ?

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bitheby · 31/12/2020 17:59

My nephew had this at a similar age. Speech and language therapist said to stop asking questions. He knew too much for the part of his brain that formulated speech to keep up with and trying to answer questions before he was ready was causing it. It disappeared once the pressure was off. I haven't heard him stutter since and he's 13 now.

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BendingSpoons · 31/12/2020 20:07

You get three 'types' of stutter, repetitions, prolongations (stretching a sound) and blocking (mouth in position but no sound coming out, people sometimes try to force it). It sound like it might have been a block today.

I agree with you. It is great he has a good vocabulary but that is a separate thing to having a stutter. You can be referred for a stutter regardless of your language proficiency.

If he continues to get stuck on words I would definitely look at a referral sooner rather than later. It can be a sign of a more persistent stutter. Depending on where you live, waiting times are likely to be several months, so it is worth referring. You can always decline the appointment if things improve before then and you don't need it.

You may already be aware but there are some good websites e.g. //www.stama.org I think.