My almost 3-year son speaks in full sentences and has an average vocabulary but has started to stutter a few weeks ago. My ped. said to ignore it for 3-months but I don't want miss early intervention oppurtunities. Does anyone else have a toddler that is stuttering or a recommendation on where to take him for evaluation. He does not qualify to be seen at Regional Center. Thanks.
My son stuttered on and off for about a year when he was 3... He would do it for about 3 weeks then stop for about 2 months... I was worried also.. My pediatrician said not to worry either... His tongue isn't quick enough for his brain... He's now almost 4.5 and barely stutters.. Once in a blue moon I'll hear him (normally when he's excited) and I'll just tell him to slow down.
A speech therapist (my son is almost 3) said that it is a developmental thing. They are trying to get it all out so fast, that their mouth can't work fast enough. I was told to be patient, don't rush them or finish their sentences, and it usually passes. Those that make a big deal of it and or put pressure on them, can cause more issues. I also notice that it comes and goes.
This is VERY typical for children this age. They grow out of it. The best thing you can do is do not pressure the child or make aware that there is a problem or his will think there is a problem. Give him time to get it out, let him know it's ok, take a deep breath, but try not to speak for him. Gently ask for him to slow down but most of all take the time and let him know it's ok.
I have 5 kids and all of them at one time or another around that age has had a "stutter" (not a true one), most mild. Course, it may seem like a bad case to you but it really isn't.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
ALL kids qualify for early intervention, I believe. BUT it is very, very common for toddlers to have a little bout of stuttering. Odds are, it will pass on it's own. Good luck!
My daughter did this for a while just after she turned three. It's really normal for their age. Their brain is moving so fast that their mouth is struggling to get out what they're thinking! Just keep an eye on it for a few months like your ped said, I'm willing to bet he stops.
I used to work with Aphasic children and I remember we were at an outing at a park and our bus had Speech And Language Development Center on the side of it and a woman came up to the Director I assisted (who was known for her speech workshops, had many teaching videos out for Grad Students...etc) and asked her if she should be concerned about her son who was around 3 who was stuttering and I remember her telling the young mom that it was more normal in boys and not to worry that they usually grow out of it by the time they are about five and the key is to not draw attention to it is . But if the problem does not seem to improve around five to get him tested but she assured her that it was perfectly normal, especially in boys. When I saw your child was a boy and 3, I had to answer!
Stuttering is normal at that age. No good speech therapist would see him for that alone. Brain is faster than mouth for a while
Your doctor is right as some children go through a normal learning phase about this age that includes stuttering, but if it lasts longer than 3 months a good speech therapist trained to work with stuttering should be contacted. The Stuttering Foundation has a list of good therapists worldwide on their web site as well as tips for parents. See www.stutteringhelp.org.
