Three year old's speech - can anyone (please) relate to this?

[williwonti]

Son has just turned three. We noticed he started to stammer/stutter about a year ago. Quite obvious but after a quick look into it, thought it was well within the realms of what is normal with their speech development etc.Had a couple of months where it has got worse but then sort of leveled off again. Should say he has always been a very good talker, other child was average so it was noticeably more advanced, others commented too so all good. Then over the last two months or so the low level stutter has got a lot worse. He now struggles to get words out, he almost has to physically force them out and it looks (to us) like he is pushing them out with some force, he goes a bit red as if he is straining. Other things I have notuiced are (1)He closes his eyes and lift his eyebrows (2) tilts head to side (3) elongates his neck (4) can repeaty the stutter up to 15 times. I am doign what everywhere says with the not urshing him, no pressure, lookign relaxed and waiting for him t finish etc but it seems to only be getting worse. He is on a waiting list to be seen but I am so concerned. It isn't that he doesn't have the words, he has decided what he wnats to say, he knows what words to use, it is almost a physical issue. I would be SO grateful if this rings a bell with anyone. Apart from this he is physically very well etc, has no obvious stresses although is very particular.

The stuttering etc was obviously noticeable but it is the fact it has escalated that is bothering us. I'm waiting to see a specialist but worried what this could mean.

Has no-one had this? I am so concerned.

The other ehaviours you mention sound like tics. Perhaps you could google for more info.

Could you pay privately for a consultation if the waiting list is long? It must be really worrying.

Hi speech and language therapist here - i'm hoping that's the specialist you are waiting to see. I know what your son is doing is scary but unusual movements can be part of stammering - they are called secondary behaviours, and usually the person tries them out as a strategy to try and get the words out and it becomes a repeated pattern that doesn't work. Stammering can be very common In this age group and severity does not impact on the likelihood of the stammering becoming more persistent - an slt assessment will help determine if there are any risks factors for permanent stammering and also give strategies to deal with what is happening. 2 websites with useful info are the British stammering association and the michael Palin centre.

Flamingoshoes - thank you! So kind of you to give me some info. The body movements do look like it's a way to push it out, as does the straining. I had a call from local slt team yesterday to say he's being processed but she couldn't say on timeframe. In meantime we are doing all we can.......bless him though, it is heart-breaking to watch.