Early Developmental Disfluencies
Many young children, ages three to five years, exhibit disruptions in their speech when they are learning to talk, especially during a period when a much fuller use of connected speech is developing. The majority of these children are simply going through a phase of normal speech development. Research shows that as many as 3 out of 4 children who show signs of early stuttering will recover within the first year without formal treatment. Here is how adults can help:
1. Listen to your child.
Listen to the message your child is trying to communicate, not the stuttering. You can show your child that you are listening by not finishing sentences, filling in words, or giving simplistic advice such as “relax,” “slow down,” or “take a breath.” Encourage your child’s development of healthy communication skills by showing him that what he is saying is more important than how he is saying it. Reflect what you have heard back to him so he knows that he is understood.
2. Reduce demands.
As your child develops more advanced language skills, s/he will experience many demands on her speaking abilities. Reducing the amount of "demand" speech (“tell grandma what you did today”) can decrease the pressures she experiences and help her communicate successfully, even when she is stuttering.
3. Model Good Communication.
You provide an important role model for your child’s communication abilities. You can use a communication style that is hurried, or intense - or, you can use a smoother, more relaxed way of talking. Using pauses can help your child learn to speak in a relaxed, unhurried way. When children experience these easier interactions, they feel less pressure to “keep up.” This can help to reduce the tension they feel in their speech.
4. Decrease Time Pressures.
Time pressure is feeling that we have to act or speak quickly. You can reduce time pressure for your child by reducing interruptions and encouraging good turn-taking. Allowing pauses and silence during conversation will help you create an easier, supportive environment for your child.
5. Know when to get Help.
Remember that these strategies take time to learn. Do not feel discouraged if you find them hard at first. Contact a Speech/Language Pathologist (e.g., at your child’s school) if: 1) you have questions, 2) your child’s stuttering does not improve after a few months or gets worse, 3) your child shows signs of struggle (i.e., facial grimaces, tense, forced speech) 4) There is a history of stuttering in your family.
1. Listen to your child.
Listen to the message your child is trying to communicate, not the stuttering. You can show your child that you are listening by not finishing sentences, filling in words, or giving simplistic advice such as “relax,” “slow down,” or “take a breath.” Encourage your child’s development of healthy communication skills by showing him that what he is saying is more important than how he is saying it. Reflect what you have heard back to him so he knows that he is understood.
2. Reduce demands.
As your child develops more advanced language skills, s/he will experience many demands on her speaking abilities. Reducing the amount of "demand" speech (“tell grandma what you did today”) can decrease the pressures she experiences and help her communicate successfully, even when she is stuttering.
3. Model Good Communication.
You provide an important role model for your child’s communication abilities. You can use a communication style that is hurried, or intense - or, you can use a smoother, more relaxed way of talking. Using pauses can help your child learn to speak in a relaxed, unhurried way. When children experience these easier interactions, they feel less pressure to “keep up.” This can help to reduce the tension they feel in their speech.
4. Decrease Time Pressures.
Time pressure is feeling that we have to act or speak quickly. You can reduce time pressure for your child by reducing interruptions and encouraging good turn-taking. Allowing pauses and silence during conversation will help you create an easier, supportive environment for your child.
5. Know when to get Help.
Remember that these strategies take time to learn. Do not feel discouraged if you find them hard at first. Contact a Speech/Language Pathologist (e.g., at your child’s school) if: 1) you have questions, 2) your child’s stuttering does not improve after a few months or gets worse, 3) your child shows signs of struggle (i.e., facial grimaces, tense, forced speech) 4) There is a history of stuttering in your family.