stammer developing age 10

[throckenholt]

My DS has developed a stammer over the last 6 months or so. It is becoming more prominent. We haven't made an issue of it, given him time to speak and not commented. Just recently he told me he was worried because he had noticed it. It doesn't seem to be related to stress.

He had a stammer when he was a toddler - grew out of it after a year or so. Nothing since until the last year.

All info I can find is about stammering starting as a toddler. Can't find anything about it at this age.

Does any one have any experience ? How should be we deal with it ? I have told him it is nothing to worry about, that lots of people stutter sometimes, that it is a physical thing not being able to say the words as quickly as he is thinking them. I had assumed it was a temporary development thing again, but since it is worrying him now I was wondering if we need to try and get some help ?

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My ds had a stammer at 3 which came and went without any intervention. We did have a consultation with a speech therapist but he didn't need any further help.

The stammer came back about 6 months ago, shortly after his sixth birthday. It occasionally disappears for a week or two but is quite obvious at the moment. He's just started speech therapy as he was getting quite anxious about it and was reluctant to speak at school.

I still had the SLT number from his appointment when he was 3 so I could self refer. They sent a form that had a section for the school to complete. Could you speak to his school to see if they can refer him. If not I'm sure your gp could advise you.

Have you looked at the Michael Palin Centre website

Or the British Stammering Centre

I hope you get it sorted, I feel so sad for ds sometimes

thanks Meg - I hope the SLT works for your DS.

With mine I am still trying to keep it low key, but reminding him to slow down, and also to repeat it without stammering when he struggles with something.

I guess the key is to get him to realise, a) it isn't a problem, and b) to be aware of it and work out strategies for himself to get round it. And letting him know that he can talk to us about it whenever he is bothered by it.

If it gets worse I will investigate the SLT options.

Meant to say - we home educate so no fall back to school - would have to go through the GP or maybe the HV I guess (haven't seen the HV for maybe 10 years !

I have a friend who stutters. She found help through the Stuttering Foundation. They have information for all ages plus referrals to someone who can help. Look at www.stutteringhelp.org to find things to help him and you.