commentr/StutterNovember 25, 2024

Content

Hi, I'm a speech-language pathologist. I don't post here often, but I couldn't resist your case! It is very easy to tell the difference between developmental and disordered stuttering. If your done is repeating whole words or phrases ("you wanna, you wanna, you wanna go outside?"), that is developmental. If your son is repeating single sounds ("b-b-bath"), interjecting a vowel ("buh-buh-bath"), prolonging ("mmmmmom"), blocking (open-mouth, no sound, stuck, then forces the word out), or having secondary behaviors (usually rolling eyes, jerking head, tensing body), all of those are signs of disordered stuttering. If it is developmental stuttering, be patient, give him time to get his words out. Don't ever tell him to hurry up and spit it out! It will pass. It may be a few weeks or a couple of years, but as long as it doesn't progress to other types of stuttering, it is fine; just be patient. If it is disordered stuttering, please get him to a speech therapist asap. Treating it early and while he is young is best! I have nothing against school therapists, but they frequently are overworked and don't have the time to give the attention that stuttering therapy requires. I recommend finding a private therapist who has some experience with fluency therapy. If you need help finding a therapist, check out asha.org or stutteringhelp.org. I wish you the best!

Themes

Parent & CaregiverTherapy & Professional

Subthemes

Early Concern & OnsetTreatment DecisionsHome SupportSeeking Therapy