Speech Problem - Worry or Not?

Hi I have a 3.5 year old son who spoke very early (sentences at 12 months) and he started stuttering around 2.5 just after his little sister arrived! His friend in mothers group also started 4 months later after his little sister arrived too. We monitored it and were told to never finish his sentences or talk about it to others in front of him, we referred to it as disfluency. We these basic tips from a speech pathologist, along with saying 'oh that was a bit bumpy let's try and say that again' and when he finally gets the words out you can repeat them back. She also said if it continues for more than 6 months or gets worse you can start the Lidcom program http://sydney.edu.au/health_sciences/asrc/clinic/parents/... my mother in law works in the early childhood field and says it's very common. So it lasted about 3 months in my son went away then came back when my daughter started crawling and lasted a month and it's been gone ever since except on rare occasions when he is really tired or emotional. His friends has gone except for when extremely tired also.

Get you children evaluated. Begin with your pediatrician, get a referal to a speech therapist. It is better to be safe than sorry.

School districts can provide services for children below school age. In fact they have speech therapists under contract. Contact them and do not stop until you get evaluated.

Good luck!

I went through this with my son when was 3.5, and it turned out be exactly what you originally thought: they can't talk fast enough to keep up with their growing mind. My ped told me not to worry about it, but most importantly, try not to correct them because it makes them feel self-conscious about the issue.

Your 2.5 yr old could be evaluated by an early childhood program. He may be imitating the older son. But the help and advice you get for him will be good for both and you can decide what to do from there. ECI is free.

My grandson has a speech disorder. When I was reading about speech disorders, I read that stuttering can be a phase in the speech process. It's normal.

If you want to have them evaluated your 4 yo would also qualify for age.

There are two programs. One is called Early Intervention, I think and the child must be under 2. But the program continues for all school ages under a different name. I don't remember it's name.

I suggest you could call them and ask about the stuttering. You'll find the number through your school district. It's a Federally mandated program administered thru the school district. Both evaluations and treatment if needed are free.

When my daughter was in 3rd grade she was still in public school. Teacher said your kid has a speech problem and should be evaluated. My daughter had two missing front teeth so I tell the teacher forget it its because her teeth are not in yet. After all what does the teacher know? so the next year we put her in a private school and the director said I see your daughter has a speech problem did you get the grants the public schools were giving out for speech problems? We can put them toward you tuition. So teacher was right she had a speech problem and she has missed out on grants and help for that few years because I wouldnt consider getting her evaluated. So the moral is get you kids evaluated and see what pops up.. Doesnt mean you need get therapy etc but at least have a professional take a look.

My friends son has Apraxia that causes him to do this. Search Google for some insight on it. I wish I knew more about it to help you out.

My 4 year old wil stutter, and I think it'sbecasue she is thinking faster than she can talk! Once she slows down, and thinks about is she is fine!

My 3 year old will stutter or take a long time to get started on what he's trying to say. I think he's trying to come up with the right words. He's constantly using new words.

watch and see if they are stuttering only when lying. my so stutters when he lies and can't figure out how I know he is lying so he quit trying.

It's pretty common for kiddos this age to stutter a bit. Particularly when they are excited. My daughter does it on occasion and I knew another boy this age who used to do it (and grew out of it).

If it were apraxia, asking them to say it again would make the problem worse, not better.