Stuttering - help!

Senior Member Joined: Mar 02 2006 Posts: 147

my son, 2.5, started stuttering real bad about 2 weeks ago. hes been talking for over a year now. its getting worse. what does this mean?

Platinum Member Joined: May 06 2007 Posts: 8512

I don't know, but where are you? A friend of ours is a stuttering specialist and people come from all over to see him and get his help.
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Posted: Mon, Oct 27 2008, 11:54 pm Post subject: re: stuttering - help!

Hi whatever,

My daughter also started stuttering badly at about that age. She started talking quite early and was extremely verbal already (like yours), so she was so frustrated!! She could hardly get a word out, literally. I felt bad for her and I worried... but not overly, because I'm a big believer that many times, problems work themselves out.

Well, she stuttered for about three months straight. I never interrupted her, never finished her sentences for her. I made absolutely sure that her older siblings did not make fun of her. I told relatives in advance that she was going through a stage, and to please not call attention to her stuttering.

One day, I noticed that her speech was smoothing out. Then, she stopped stuttering completely. She's now 4 and she is absolutely fine. It really was just a stage, and it's a common one!

Obviously, some problems need professional attention, depending on the severity and duration, how much it's affecting a child, etc. I'm not minimizing real developmental issues. I just want to put your mind at ease. I think some temporary stages can become long-lasting problems if they are focused on too much.

My advice would be to very patiently wait it out, at least for a few months. Speech therapists will be available if and when you need them, and you have nothing to lose by giving it a bit of time.

Other people may have different advice, but this was my experience, and I'm so grateful that we didn't make our daughter feel like she had a problem. You can PM me if you want!

Moderator Joined: Nov 20 2005 Posts: 4868

I was told at that age not to be concerned. Their brain works quicker than they can talk and they get frustrated. Be very patient. Don't interrupt him or talk for him, and don't let anyone make fun of him. From 2-3 can just be a passing phase.
If you are really concerned and live in a state where EI is an option, you can apply for a speech eval. If it's only going on a couple of weeks I would wait a bit.

Posted: Tue, Oct 28 2008, 7:16 am Post subject:

Is there anything new going on in the house? Take away his bottle or pacifier, toilet training, moving him to a bed, new sibling in the house?

My mother said that when she tried toilet training me, move me to a bed and took away my pacifier all at once, I started stuttering. Once she slowed things down and did one thing at a time, it went away.
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Silver Member Joined: Oct 12 2007 Posts: 659

when my dd was 2 she also went through a stuttering phase for around 3 weeks. I was also very concerned because she spoke at a very early age and never had a problem. I called a speech therapist and she told me its so normal, and it will pass but make sure to do the following. Never ask her to repeat herself slowly, and make sure other pepole dont laugh and dont make fun. Make sure when you talk you have good eye contact with her and also when you speak to her you should make sure to speak very slow and clear. Hopefully it should pass.

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

It's a phase. My son went through it too.
Don't interrupt, don't finish his thoughts -- let him work through it. B"H it disappeared within 2 months. If it's longer than 3 months, I think it's recommended you ask your doctor, but B"H we didn't go through it that long.
(I was more nervous than I should have been because there is a stutterer in the family, and I was worried he inherited it.)
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Senior Member Joined: Mar 02 2006 Posts: 147

wow people, thanks ladys. I started crying cause hes such a beautiful, smart, good hearted boy (of course I'm his mom) and I was so scared, you realy calmed me down. I have been asking him to repeat himself or talk slower and such plus my sublings have been making a bit fun of him. (hence the crying I feel so awful) now I know to stop. I will wait like 3 mnths before going to help. once again thanks so much for helping me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: Wed, Oct 29 2008, 1:12 am Post subject: re: stuttering - help!

I'm so glad you feel calmer about it now. It is very disconcerting to go through, but you'll get through it! Let us know when things start to get better!