Stuttering

[LadyP]

My nephew is 3.5 years old and a few months ago he was having problems saying some words, almost as if he was stuttering.

Anyway, my sister checked in the child development books and was reassured when they stated that it was very common at that age and would last for only a short period of time.

Indeed it did go. However in the last few days it has returned and seems to be a lot worse.

Needless to say she is quite worried.

Anyone had any experience of this and can offer some advice to pass on, I would be most grateful.

Thanks

Definitely ignore it - don't mention it, don't finish his sentences for him, give him lots of time and patience, wait for him to say what he needs to and above all don't get stressed about it. Lots of children do go through this stage, and most of them come out of it on their own. (They just have so much to say, they start stumbling over the words).

I know it comes as quite a shock to hear your child stuttering, and you immediately recall adults severe speech problems. But a 3 yr-old tripping over a few words does not imply lifelong difficulties. The one thing that can bring problems is stress and pressure, if it becomes an 'issue' - so try very hard not to show your worry and concern!

In the meantime, see if you can get a referral to a speech therapist through your health visitor. It will probably take ages for an appointment to come through 3-6 months in most places. If his speech has sorted itself out by then, you can cancel the appointment, if not then they will want to address the problem by then.

Otherwise, is his speech - pronunciation and language - good?

DS (3.5) also did/does the same but was getting really angry and frustrated when it happened so I taught him to take a deep breath in and out then try again when it happens. He can usually get the words out second time around. We usually do the breathing bit together. With DS I am sure it is just a case of trying to get too many words out in one go than any other "problem". HTH.

My dd does this and it's usually associated with a big change or development in her life. I was worried to begin with but each episode has been relatively short-lived, a couple of months at a time. HTH

My DD also does this - it is partly I think because she is so excited and tries to say things too quickly and partly because she does not remember what word she is suppossed to be saying.

In our house we have a rare old time with speech impediments - my partner has a slight lisp and my daughter is unable to say R or th. Her name is Harriet and there is also an R in her surname so she sounds like a complete fruitcake when you ask her name and she sounds just like doodles from the tweenies when she says thank you - it comes out as shankyou.

All good fun though - I know a couple of kids who have stutters and mispronunciate things and most of them have grown out of it. As was mentioned before don't make it into and issue and just get him to speak slowley and try and stay calm.

Good Luck!!

My ds suffered the same at a similar age - maybe a bit younger - I recall one day we had a day at the races with some friends (there is a racecourse where we live so a nice and easy walkable day out) - he struggled all day with his words and could hardly get any of them out - I was seriously worried especially as my Dad used to have a severe stammer. He overcame it himself in time but even now if he gets overtired he will sometimes still do it.

Thanks for all the advice. I shall tell my sister to have a look at this thread to ease her worries.

He is due to have his 3.5 year developemtn check and the doctor, who my sister has notified, will monitor his speech then.

It is also true that he speaks clearly and fluently other to that.

Thanks again

my ds had a very bad stutter (brought on from my traumatic pregnancy with second ds) he was refered to a speach thearpist who told us all the stuff to do which is basically don't finish sentances. Don't put presure on child by asking unimportant questions (very hard not to ask how their day has been). To make eye contact when talking and generally ignor it.
They would not do anything further after his first inital assesment as they said at this age (he was 3 then) it tends to correct itself and they would ring when the year was up.
Guess what they were right. He is fine now.
Hope this was some help.

Thanks for the advice, am new to mumsnet and am LadyP's sister. It is my ds that is stammering a little. His speech is very good, infact he doesn't stop talking (even in his sleep!),but where as before he used to stutter on his w's for e.g he would have to think about what word he was using whether it was "what why or where" now it seems like he knows what word he wants to say, but nothing comes out of his mouth. I haven't made an issue out of it and will take on board all of your advice. Thanx guys.

Agree with what the others have said, my DS now 3.5 went through a stage of stuttering, he was trying to speak too quickly, over an 8 months period it went and came back about 3 times. Shouldn't worry.