My 2.5 Yr Old Suddenly Developed a Severe Stutter????

Is it a stutter (stuck on a sound "t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-table") or a stammer (stuck on a word "whatwhatwhatwhatwhatwhat's for dinner?")?

A stammer is REALLY common in kids this age as they start to have ideas they want to express and are thinking faster than their little mouths can form the words.

Either way, if you're worried, call the pediatrician. I GUARANTEE they get this question all the time and they'll know whether or not it needs intervention.

HTH
T.

Have your pediatrician see your son, and seek advice from him/her.

One of my granddaughter's started stuttering around the same age, and had been talking perfectly prior. Her ped said it was actually normal, the rush of vocabulary floods their brains before they can say everything. She outgrew it and talks nonstop again ; ) I've noticed my 28-month old occasionally starts to stutter. I tell him "it's OK, start over, what did you say?" and sometimes "Slow down, start over" and have had to say something twice on occasion. It seems when he starts over he gets it out just fine.

Continue to be patient and this should work itself out.

My son wasn't "as extreme" but he did start stuttering around that age as well.. My pediatrician said it's because their brains can't keep up with their tongues, so they can't spit it out as quick as their brains are thinking it... He said it's completely normal... My son did stutter "on and off" for about 8 months.. He would do it for about 3 weeks, then stop for 2 months... then I would hear it come back again.... Call your pediatrician just to make sure though~
My son is almost 5 now and once in a blue moon, I can hear it (barely ever) and I just tell him to slow down his words....

My friend's daughter did this very same thing... It was like Thea said though, more a of stammer than an actual stutter. This little girl talked well pretty early and then it seemed like she regressed. She is going at about a million miles an hour ALL the time. I honestly think her brain is getting going and her vocabulary increased so much so fast that her mouth couldn't keep up with her brain! That sounds kind of silly, but I honestly think she was very smart and she just didn't have the ability to focus on saying something before she was thinking of saying something else. I think it's normal. :)

Very typical at this age. (especially the stammering as explained below)
I think that when parents draw too much attention to it it becomes a problem. Doctors and speech therapist will tell you that their brains are moving faster than their mouth (one is physical)

My daughter did the same thing at that age. I think that they can think faster then they can say it. They know what they want to say, but just can't get it out. She was talking fine and then the stuttering started. I was a little worried at first but it stopped soon after. If you are concerned call the dr and ask them. Good Luck!

I think it is the age, pretty common. Mine is in the thick of it now, and my son, now 4 1/2 had the same at that age, and has no stutter. It was a stammer as described earlier. I give her plenty of time, and ask her to take a breath sometimes. What has helped most is to help her finish the sentence or word. I thought this might be frustrating for her, but it actually seemed to alleviate the stammer, and she was able to move on. The relief she has that I understood her despite the stammer was so palpable. She just gets so excited about what she is trying to express.

my sons speech therapist says this is typically very normal. their little brains are working faster than their mouths. just tell him to take a breath and try to slow down. also try to repeat what you do understand so that it can help. my almost 2 1/2 year old sometimes gets all tongue tied trying to tell a whole story in 2 seconds. you could maybe check into speech therapy if it doesnt get better or if it gets worse.

Yes, this is common. You are supporting him very well. While his little brain is processing all the new ideas and words he is learning, there are a few more things you can do. Try to keep your own sentences shorter. At this age children begin to try to match the length and complexity of their responses to yours. Also, if there is anything you can make more routine in his day, that can be helpful. The less he has to process, while he is mastering this language burst, the better.

I agree with Kg. My daughter also did this around that age, and it lasted for a few months. I wouldn't worry, it does sound normal to me. But, of course check w/ the Ped, to rest your worries!
Added: To help him not feel so upset about it, just let him know it happens to many kids his age, and that he is doing great!

This happened to a friends son. He ended up testing positive for lymes. Talk to your pediatrician to rule it out.

My daughter, now 3.5, went through this a few months ago. It was very upsetting to witness. She would also struggle with the first word, particularly 'L's' and would sometimes try 10 times to say the word before giving up or look at me and say 'I can't say the word'. I did not show any concern on my face and calmly told her to take her time, mommy's listening. Encouraged her to talk slowly if she needed to. I also called my doctor and they said is is very common around this age. Their brains are taking in so much, learning so much, and sometimes their mouths just can't keep up or get in synch. This lasted about a few weeks and then just went away. Don't worry!!! :)