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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Stammer started in 3 yr old ds

5 replies

Bearhugs43 · 12/02/2013 22:46

My dc3 of 4 is about to turn 3. He is very very articulate and has never had any speech or language issues. In the last few weeks he has started to stumble over words as if he can't get them out - e.g Wwwwww-hen we were playing I.....fffffff-ell over.

It is usually infrequent maybe once or twice during a conversation but is seeming to get worse. A friend visiting today said her DSS did this and it is a common phase- anyone else experienced this?

OP posts:

bunsOFsteele · 12/02/2013 23:43

Hi there, we've just been through similar with my dd age 2 1/2, when she suddenly developed a really pronounced stammer (really bad!!) after performing in her first nativity! I was really worried about her as she's always been very articulate, and she was really struggling to get her words out. It was just before her little sister was born too, so lots going on and thought she might be traumatised... Anyway it's really common age 2-3 for this to happen, particularly with articulate kids, when their brain is moving faster than their mouth. My mum in law is a speech & Lang therapist and she calls it "cluttering" - it didn't last very long and she's back to her clear conversation now. Should be fine for you as he's been such a good talker so far :)

Original poster

Bearhugs43 · 13/02/2013 10:22

Thanks for the reply- that's really reassuring. Glad your dd came through it! X

OP posts:

mamij · 13/02/2013 10:27

Similar thing happened to DD1 (when she was 2.5) too. Luckily it only lasted a short while.

Lots of google searches, but all basically saying what buns said. She's now 3.4 years and lost of signs of stammer.

MrsSG · 13/02/2013 22:56

It's a very normal stage for them to go through, but go to a speech therapist if it lasts longer than 6 months, otherwise it might become a full-blown stammer (my DS had ST for dysfluency aged 4, but with hindsight the onset was about 3.5yrs)

IWillOnlyEatBeans · 14/02/2013 17:57

I posted something similar a few days ago!

DS has just turned 3 and has started doing exactly the same thing! I had a really helpful response from an SLT saying that the best thing to do in the short term is to ignore it - so don't ask him to slow down, take a deep breath or talk for him. Just act as if the stammer is not happening.

I will ask HV to refer us to SLT if it's still happening when she next visits (in a few weeks)

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