4 year old sudden stammering

[NicolaSh37]

Hi, my son is 4 and 8 months and started stammering 3 weeks ago now. Started off just repeating the first words at start of sentence but has been worse the last week. He started school in September and used to talk a lot and fluently. I’m currently trying to find a private speech therapist as waiting lists are long but has anyone experienced this? I know it’s common for ones under 3.5 years but really worried given he is over 4 and was fine before. Thanks x

My eldest used to stammer, in basic terms it started because his brain couldn't form sentences as quickly as he was talking, he'd try and rush, then it became a habit / tic that was increased when he got nervous.
Unlike a stutter with a particular phonic sound.

What happens if you get your child to stop and think through a sentence before saying it, is the steamer still present?

Hi @NicolaSh37, just wondering if you have an update on your son? My almost 4 year old started stammering out of the blue just before xmas and seems to be getting progressively worse.

Hi @Jessesgirl13 my son has got lots better over the last couple of weeks. It’s now a couple of repetitions at the start of some sentences. I found he got worse before getting better. I called the health visitor and put in for referral for speech and language therapy. It’s a long waiting list though. So strange how it comes out of the blue when fine before. Hopefully your little one will improve over time too. It’s so hard watching them struggle isn’t it 😢.

Thank you so much for getting back to me! And i'm so glad to hear your son is improving. I'm going to speak to nursery to see if they have noticed the change. Then if he needs it I'm willing to pay for a private speech therapist if it avoids a long waiting list. Its just so heartbreaking to see him struggle.

My dd5 went through this as well. She stammered more when tired but it was really bad for a while there and a lot of the time. I found it really alarming! She's pretty much come through it now