Speech Problems: Normal vs. Stuttering
What is the difference between true stuttering and normal
speech problems?
As children learn to speak they may naturally have some
difficulty. Usually these problems are transient and part
of your child's normal development. However, sometimes
children will develop a more serious problem such as true
stuttering.
Normal Speech Problems
- Articulation: When your child does not pronounce words
correctly or clearly while he is learning to speak, it is
called normal dysarthria. Normal dysarthria occurs
between the ages of 1 and 4 years. Children may say many
words that their parents and others can't understand. The
cause of normal dysarthria is usually inherited. About
70% of children have the ability to pronounce words
clearly from the time they start to speak. The other 30%
have many words that their parents and others can't
understand. Normal dysarthria is not a brief phase but
instead shows very gradual improvement over several years
as a child develops. The speech of at least 90% of the
children who have dysarthria becomes completely
understandable by age 4. The speech of 96% of these
children becomes completely understandable by age 5 or 6.
- Fluency: Normally, speech is fluid with words flowing
smoothly as your child speaks. Normal dysfluency, also
called pseudostuttering, is the occasional repeating of
sounds or syllables that children make when they are
learning to speak between 18 months and 5 years of age.
It occurs in many children. Normal dysfluency occurs
because the mind is able to think of words faster than
the tongue can make them. It increases when the child is
tired or overexcited. Normal dysfluency only lasts for 2
or 3 months if handled correctly.
True stuttering
True stuttering (stammering) occurs in only 1% of children.
Stuttering is 4 times more likely in boys than in girls. In
most cases, true stuttering is an inherited problem. It can
also occur when a child with normal dysfluency or normal
dysarthria is pressured to improve and becomes sensitive
about the problem. The child may begin to anticipate
speaking poorly and struggle to correct it. The child
becomes tense when he speaks, and the more he attempts to
control his speech, the worse it becomes. True stuttering
will become worse and persist into adulthood, without
treatment.
Some characteristics of true stuttering include:
- frequent repetitions of sounds, syllables, or short words
- frequent hesitations and pauses in speech
- absence of smooth speech flow
- tense facial expressions or facial tics
- a fear of talking.
How can I help my child?
The following recommendations should prevent dysfluency or
dysarthria from developing into stuttering.
- Encourage conversation.
Sit down and talk with your child at least once a day.
Keep the subject matter pleasant and enjoyable. Avoid
asking for verbal performance or reciting. Keep speaking
time low-key and fun.
- Help your child relax when stuttering occurs.
Mild stuttering that's not causing your child any
discomfort should be ignored. When your child is having
trouble speaking, however, say something reassuring such
as "Don't worry, I can understand you." If your child
asks you about his stuttering, reassure him that, "Your
speech will get easier and someday the stuttering will be
gone."
- Don't correct your child's speech.
Avoid expressing any disapproval, such as by saying,
"Stop that stuttering" or "Think before you speak."
Remember that this is your child's normal speech for his
age and is not controllable. Do not try to improve your
child's grammar or pronunciation. Also avoid praise for
good speech because it implies that your child's previous
speech wasn't up to standard.
- Don't interrupt your child's speech.
Give your child ample time to finish what he is saying.
Don't complete sentences for him. Don't allow siblings
to interrupt one another.
- Don't ask your child to repeat himself or start over.
If possible, guess at the message. Listen very closely
when your child is speaking. Only if you don't
understand a comment that appears to be important should
you ask your child to restate it.
- Don't ask your child to practice a certain word or sound.
This just makes the child more self-conscious about his
speech.
- Don't ask your child to slow down when he speaks.
Try to convey to your child that you have plenty of time
and are not in a hurry. Model a slow relaxed rate of
speech. A rushed type of speech is a temporary phase
that can't be changed by orders from the parent.
- Don't label your child.
Labels tend to become self-fulfilling prophecies. Don't
discuss your child's speech problems in his presence.
- Ask other adults not to correct your child's speech.
Share these guidelines with baby sitters, teachers,
relatives, neighbors, and visitors. Don't allow siblings
to tease or imitate your child's stuttering.
- Help your child relax and feel accepted in general.
Try to increase the hours of fun and play your child has
each day. Try to slow down the pace of your family life.
If there are any areas in which you have been applying
strict discipline, back off.
When should I call my child's health care provider or speech
therapist?
Call during office hours if:
- Your child has true stuttering.
- Your child stutters after age 5.
- Your child has facial grimacing or tics associated with
his speech.
- Your child has become self-conscious or fearful about his
speech.
- The dysfluency doesn't improve after trying the above
suggestions for 2 months.
- Your child's speech is delayed (no words by 18 months or
no sentences by 2-and-1/2 years).
- Speech is more than 50% unintelligible to others and your
child is over age 2.
- Speech is more than 25% unintelligible to others and your
child is over age 3.
- Speech is more than 10% unintelligible to others and your
child is over age 4.
- Speech is 10% unintelligible to others and your child is
over age 4.
- You have other questions or concerns.
Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.