Advice on stuttering please

[unaccomplishedfattylegalmummy]

DD1 is 5.5 and in year 1. She started to develop a bit of a stutter about 6 months ago.

Last year in reception her teacher had some concerns about her social development and that she was behind the other children. We went through our GP and finally had an appointment with an occupational therapist on 4th August. She was very nice and said in her opinion DD1 was fine, a lovely girl with no real problems and that she could probably just do with a bit of extra help with her reading and writing. She referred her to an educational psychologist with whom we have an appointment in December.

She had also been referred before seeing the OT for speech therapy. The appointment for wasn't until 4th September. Over the summer DD1's stuttering seems to have been up and down some days it would be really bad and others she would hardly stutter at all. When we saw the OT she said she wasn't really concerned about the stuttering and she would just grow out of it, and that she probably wouldn't need speech therapy. So we cancelled the speech therapy appointment as we didn't think she needed it.

Fast forward to now and her stuttering is just awful. It's getting so bad it's really difficult to understand what she's saying and sometimes she stutters for that long she forgets what she's going to say. Now in the past week or so I've noticed that when dd1 first comes out of school say the first 15 minutes afterwards she doesn't stutter at all and she seems to be brimmig with confidence. Not that she isn't usually confident it's just that in those first 15 minutes she seems so much more brighter than she normally does at home and she can be a bit shy on occasion.

So I am wondering if she is actually stuttering when she is in school? And whether it's just when she was at home. Back when she was in reception her teacher never mentioned that she was stuttering she was concerned about the fact that dd1's speech seemed quite immature for her age (she was a late talker).

So I am wondering what to do, should I make an appointment to see her teacher and ask about the stuttering and also how she's getting on. Bearing in mind I haven't even met her new teacher properly yet, as it's like in reception were I could take her in she has to line up outside and go into class herself. Should I go back to my GP again and try and get her referred for speech therapy or should I just wait and see how she does over the next few months and then speak to the educational psychologist in December?

And advice greatly appreciated thanks.

That should be brimming

Talk to teacher first, then ring the OT and explain that stuttering is awful and would like the ST appointment ASAP please (if possible) My ds stammering goes in waves but I think he's finally getting over it (8) - started at 3 1/2. he is often better outside with friends and at school as they just get excited and happy and speak quickly and forget about the 'importance' of the message - often for ds, the more 'official' the conversation - i.e. - with me at home, me asking questions, the worse it is. My ST friend gave me the following advice for it:

1. Don;t ask loads of questions....simple but effective!
2. Plan ahead so not worrying him/hurrying him - this def works! Get up earlier for school so not rushing etc.
3. Keep 'normal' eye contact when listening to him (don't stare, but don;t disengage) Stay interested to the end of the sentence.
4. Don't finish his sentences. Act as if you haven't noticed.
5. Make sure no members of the familhy are taking the 'p' without realising it - my dad and sil did until I pointed it out to them - they were mortified.

Good luckx