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What Causes Stammering In A Child?
Question: Hi, My daughter is 2 years 10 moths. She started stammering from last 1-2 weeks. While talking, she continuous repeating few words. If we ask her to pronounce the word again, she is able to speak the work properly. She is facing problems in play school also with this. In our family history, no one is having stammering problem. Is it common to have stammering at this age? What is the solution to it?
Brief Answer:
Don't worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr. XXXXXXX
Welcome to the HCM
I understand your concerns but don't worry. Stammering is seen many a times in the children of this age group. The reason is most often increased vocabulary and pressure of speech. In most cases, when stammering appears before 5 years of age and there is no family history, kids improve completely with some simple measures.
Try these steps to help your child:
1. Don't require your child to speak precisely or correctly at all times. Allow talking to be fun and enjoyable.
2. Use family meals as a conversation time. Avoid distractions such as radio or TV.
3. Avoid corrections or criticisms such as "slow down," "take your time," or "take a deep breath." These comments, however well-intentioned, will only make your child feel more self-conscious.
4. Avoid having your child speak or read aloud when uncomfortable or when the Stammering increases. Instead, during these times encourage activities that do not require a lot of talking. You may advice her other caretakers also.
4.Don't interrupt your child or tell her to start over.
5.Don't tell your child to think before speaking.
6. Provide a calm atmosphere in the home. Try to slow down the pace of family life.
7. Speak slowly and clearly when talking to your child or others in her presence.
8. Maintain natural eye contact with your child. Try not to look away or show signs of being upset.
9. Let your child speak for herself and to finish thoughts and sentences. Pause before responding to your child's questions or comments.
10. Talk slowly to your child. This takes practice! Modeling a slow rate of speech will help with your child's fluency.
Hopefully this will help you. In case there is no improvement after 3 years of age, you may consult a speech and language therapist.
I would be happy to help you out in any further questions.
Take care
Don't worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr. XXXXXXX
Welcome to the HCM
I understand your concerns but don't worry. Stammering is seen many a times in the children of this age group. The reason is most often increased vocabulary and pressure of speech. In most cases, when stammering appears before 5 years of age and there is no family history, kids improve completely with some simple measures.
Try these steps to help your child:
1. Don't require your child to speak precisely or correctly at all times. Allow talking to be fun and enjoyable.
2. Use family meals as a conversation time. Avoid distractions such as radio or TV.
3. Avoid corrections or criticisms such as "slow down," "take your time," or "take a deep breath." These comments, however well-intentioned, will only make your child feel more self-conscious.
4. Avoid having your child speak or read aloud when uncomfortable or when the Stammering increases. Instead, during these times encourage activities that do not require a lot of talking. You may advice her other caretakers also.
4.Don't interrupt your child or tell her to start over.
5.Don't tell your child to think before speaking.
6. Provide a calm atmosphere in the home. Try to slow down the pace of family life.
7. Speak slowly and clearly when talking to your child or others in her presence.
8. Maintain natural eye contact with your child. Try not to look away or show signs of being upset.
9. Let your child speak for herself and to finish thoughts and sentences. Pause before responding to your child's questions or comments.
10. Talk slowly to your child. This takes practice! Modeling a slow rate of speech will help with your child's fluency.
Hopefully this will help you. In case there is no improvement after 3 years of age, you may consult a speech and language therapist.
I would be happy to help you out in any further questions.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for replying quickly. My daughter also having habit of thumb sucking and bottle feeding. She won't do it regularly. But when ever she is about to sleep or when she is hungry, she starts thumb sucking. We tried multiple times explaining her that it is bad habit. She is not listening. I read in some of the internet blogs that thumb sucking and bottle feeding also affects ability to speak properly. Is there any way to stop thumb sucking. She started thumb sucking at the age of 1.5 years, now she is 2.10. Till now we thought she will quit thumb sucking as she grows. But this is not happening. Can you help us in this regard
Brief Answer:
Thumb sucking needs no active treatment at this age
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr. XXXXXXX
Thumb sucking at this age is to be taken lightly. Gently remind her to stop. Don't scold, criticize or ridicule your child. To spare embarrassment in front of others, you might alert your child to the thumb sucking with a special hand signal or other private cue. Most kids stop it by 4-5 years of age without any intervention.
You may try the following measures to help her leave bottles:
-Let your child pick out a special new cup, or decorate one that you already own.
-Try using a funny straw -- it may make cups more appealing.
-Offer fluids in her favourite cup when ever possible instead of bottles.
If you wean your baby gradually, chances are she'll be able to give up even the bedtime or morning bottle without a fuss.
Don't worry, her speech won't be affected by this.
Hopefully this will help you.
Take care
Thumb sucking needs no active treatment at this age
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr. XXXXXXX
Thumb sucking at this age is to be taken lightly. Gently remind her to stop. Don't scold, criticize or ridicule your child. To spare embarrassment in front of others, you might alert your child to the thumb sucking with a special hand signal or other private cue. Most kids stop it by 4-5 years of age without any intervention.
You may try the following measures to help her leave bottles:
-Let your child pick out a special new cup, or decorate one that you already own.
-Try using a funny straw -- it may make cups more appealing.
-Offer fluids in her favourite cup when ever possible instead of bottles.
If you wean your baby gradually, chances are she'll be able to give up even the bedtime or morning bottle without a fuss.
Don't worry, her speech won't be affected by this.
Hopefully this will help you.
Take care
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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