Stuttering

[Mum2SweetCs]

DD (turning 2 soon) seems to have develop a stutter in the last couple of weeks.

She was talking fine before, but now its like she cant seem to get her first word out (its only the first word)

Like this morning, we said "say goodluck to baba" she would go "goood good good good good good good luck baba" like she cant say good.

Is this normal or is she going backwards in her speech?

Thanks

[spiceoflife]

Hi Mama2OneSweetBun

I have some experience with stuttering in young children:
- it's not uncommon for children to experience periods of 'normal dysfluency' as their language develops. I bet DD has just started speaking in longer sentences, right? So the repetitions may disappear as she moves through this stage of development;
- but they may not. Don't draw any attention to it at all (i.e. don't give any feedback about the repetitions, although if DD is really stuck you could just say the word she is having trouble with to help her move on - don't do that if she doesn't like being spoken for!), but keep an eye out for the next 6mths or so, see if it improves or becomes more severe;
- if it becomes more severe, or if DD is bothered by it, or if you want a formal assessment, make an appointment with a speech pathologist at your local community health clinic. Even just a phone call to an SP will give much more *professional* advice.

Good luck!

[Mum2SweetCs]

Thank you spiceoflife

Yes she has started with longer sentences, like 4 or 5 words strung together.

Hopefully she will grow out of it. It is only the first word that she seems to stutter on then the rest of the words in the sentence she is fine.

Thanks heaps!

[spiceoflife]

Yep, sounds pretty typical to me.

More than likely she'll grow out of it.

Is there any *true* stuttering in your or DD's fa's family? Stuttering is slightly hereditary... If so, another reason to consider a SP consult in about 6mths.

Keep enjoying your gorgeous girl!

[Turkish Delight]

From someone with a stutter, if it persists please treat it early.

My DD who is 2.5yo seems to have a stutter too and i have booked her in for an assessment in early May.

My DS is lucky not to have it.

Does anybody in your family have it?

Are you in Melb? I can recommed a really, really good SP for you.

[spiceoflife]

I agree, TD. If a preschooler's stutter is not going away by itself, you would really want to get it treated before they turn 5yo.
It's so good there's a treatment available that is so effective for preschoolers these days.
I don't imagine it's any fun to live with a stutter as an adult

[Turkish Delight]

Nope not fun at all.

I was lucky enough to have it run on both sides of the family, mum and dad's.

It easier to train young brains to speak properly than one which is much older.

I so prayed that my kids wouldn't get it, but my precious DD has.

[Mum2SweetCs]

HI TD, no i live in Syd

Neither our side of the family have it. Is it normal to stutter just the first word? or usually when you stutter it is all the other words in the family?

Is the treatment 100% effective? and how long usually does the treatment take?

thanks for the advice all.

[Mad Scientist]

I noticed my DD1 stuttered a little when she began to say sentences. It was like her brain was moving too fast for her mouth, and she couldn't get out what she wanted to say fast enough. It lasted a couple of months and now it has pretty much stopped. She still very rarely gets stuck but I've noticed it's more when she's thinking of what word she needs to say next if she's unsure. If you are really worried though, like others have said, get it checked out. I'd wait a couple of months just to check that it isn't just a normal developmental thing and if it gets worse or doesn't get better, it's always better to check these things out for peace of mind. Good luck

[spiceoflife]

Hi Mum2OneSweetBun

Yes, it's normal for little ones to repeat the first syllable/word. That is the most mild form of stuttering - even though it sounds horrendous! You may also notice her stretching out words, like 'go-o-o-d'. That's a bit more severe, but not as much as being utterly unable to make the sounds come out.

Please don't worry if you hear some of these more severe forms, nothing bad is happening. But again, if it doesn't improve or go away, of if it gets worse, definitely look into a SP assessment.

I don't know if I'm allowed to make a plug for a public clinic on BB? And I don't know if you can PM me if I'm not a full member yet, but I can help you with some Sydney contacts if/whenever you need.

[Turkish Delight]

have a look at Stop Stuttering with Brenda Carey: Welcome

Brenda is the SP which i saw as an adult and who my DD will see. She is brilliant. I think she has contacts in SYD too.

[Michelle71]

DS started stuttering around 3 months ago (2.5yrs) and it has since resolved. Apparently it is quite normal in toddlers as a developmental stage. We were encouraged not to draw attention to it and just let it be and monitor. It seems to have resolved for the moment.