Post by game blouses on Mar 5, 2015 17:10:11 GMT -5
DS has developed a stutter. It happened over the weekend - one day he was speaking normally, the next day he was struggling over the first sound in every sentence. It's heartbreaking because he is very verbal and has always spoken fluently, and now he will try a few times and cry out "Mama, I can't talk!" or "I just want to say something!" I know it's normal and typical but it kills me every time.
Every time he stutters, my anxiety gets higher, and so now I'm just anxious all the time. He fell a few times at the park and said "Mama, I keep falling down!" so I automatically assumed he had a neurological disorder that caused both the stutter and the falls (turned out that he hurt his leg on the first fall and couldn't put weight on it to stand). Ugh, I'm a mess.
I would love some stories about how kids grew out of their sudden, pronounced stutters!
Post by firedancer10288 on Mar 5, 2015 17:17:53 GMT -5
How old is he? DD and my nephew both developed stutters around ages 3-4. Our pedi said it was normal at that age because their brains are working faster than they can get it all out. They both grew out of it within a few months. I'd bring it up to your pedi, but I wouldn't start freaking out just yet.
How old is he? DD and my nephew both developed stutters around ages 3-4. Our pedi said it was normal at that age because their brains are working faster than they can get it all out. They both grew out of it within a few months. I'd bring it up to your pedi, but I wouldn't start freaking out just yet.
Post by theoverlander on Mar 5, 2015 17:24:32 GMT -5
Right around when DD turned 3 she developed a very pronounced stutter. Big time. It was totally out if the blue and freaked me out. I took her to the doctor who referred me to a speech therapist who said she was fine and it was totally normal. Lo and behold about a month later the stutter was totally gone. The only thing the speech therapist recommended I do was really slow down when I talked to her and do not talk for her, let her get the words out on her own. That last part was hard!
DS did this multiple times when he was around this age. It would last for approx a week each time then pass. It would drive him bonkers but his speech is fine now.
My son went thru this when he was 3-4 years old. His brain was moving so fast and his mouth couldn't catch up. I never made a big deal out of it and would just tell him "slow down and let the words come to you". He would always take a big breath and then he would get it out. Sometimes having to restart a few times. I made sure I gave him my undivided attention until he was done with what he had to say. Try to keep your anxiety / frustration to a minimum and let him take his time to get it out. My son eventually out grew it and is a very good communicator now.
Post by pierogigirl on Mar 5, 2015 17:27:09 GMT -5
DS2 had a stutter that came on quickly and went away just as quickly about 3-4 weeks later. This happened when he was about 2.5 I asked on MMM and lots of people had similar stories. It's pretty common.
It's very common for kids to go through phases. Sometimes you can identify early if it's more likely to be something that persists or if it's possibly due to something else, but I don't think that's necessary at this point.
The stuttering combined with falling would definitely give me pause. I would call the pedi and tell them what's happening and let them decide if he should be seen.
Trust your gut. If you think he is developing any other neurological symptoms, get him checked out ASAP.
Post by Monica Geller on Mar 5, 2015 19:09:59 GMT -5
My nephew had this happen at 3. Really fast onset of a stutter. It lasted about 3 weeks. My SIL took him to the pedi who told her it was normal/developmental. Take him to the pedi for peace of mind, but I'm sure it's okay.
My son had this at the same age. He'd repeat the first word of the sentence like he was still thinking of the other words he wanted to say. He turned three in Feb and it's gone now.
DD and my nephew both developed stutters around ages 3-4. Our pedi said it was normal at that age because their brains are working faster than they can get it all out. They both grew out of it within a few months.
I was like this as a kid and grew out of it as well.
Post by fivechickens on Mar 5, 2015 19:21:27 GMT -5
My daughter would stutter when she was going through a speech 'growth spurt'.
A SpeEd teacher told me a couple things to look for is if it lasted a couple weeks and if they start to get frustrated by it (pounding floor or smacking themselves while trying to get a word out). Obviously, if you are concerned see having your LO evaluated with a ST.
Right around when DD turned 3 she developed a very pronounced stutter. Big time. It was totally out if the blue and freaked me out. I took her to the doctor who referred me to a speech therapist who said she was fine and it was totally normal. Lo and behold about a month later the stutter was totally gone. The only thing the speech therapist recommended I do was really slow down when I talked to her and do not talk for her, let her get the words out on her own. That last part was hard!
Exactly this. Don't bring attention to it, don't tell him to slow down. Just maintain eye contact as long as it takes for him to get the words out. You should also speak very slowly and clearly, and over emphasize the sounds. Dd was really bad for a while. Now at 4.5 she has outgrown it. It lasted 18 months.
Post by scarletbandit on Mar 5, 2015 19:54:14 GMT -5
We had this happen as well. Our pedi said all of the above. Don't draw attention to it or try to help him finish sentences. It sounds like a normal stage and will pass with time. It's frustrating and scary.
David had one around that age and he grew out of it.
Do not make a big deal out of it. If it takes him a long time to get the words out, just patiently wait. I didn't even tell him to take his time, I didn't really acknowledge it to him at all.
DD was an "advanced" speaker and at 2.5 she started stuttering really badly. She would get so frustrated because she knew she was doing it. We were just patient and let her finish her words. It lasted about 3 weeks.
I was freaking out. It was so hard to see her struggle. Her teachers said it is common bc their brain moves faster than their mouth, and sometimes it takes a little bit until it catches back up. We never corrected her or got frustrated, just be patient.
DD was an "advanced" speaker and at 2.5 she started stuttering really badly. She would get so frustrated because she knew she was doing it. We were just patient and let her finish her words. It lasted about 3 weeks.
I was freaking out. It was so hard to see her struggle. Her teachers said it is common bc their brain moves faster than their mouth, and sometimes it takes a little bit until it catches back up. We never corrected her or got frustrated, just be patient.
Same, he has always been more advanced in language and less so in physical skills, so it's hard to see him struggle. It's hardest to see him get frustrated by it, although it does tend to make him say the word ("I'm trying to say YOU!").
His leg is totally fine now and he's looking at me like I'm crazy when I ask if it still hurts. Thanks for all your advice and helpful stories!!