Does your child stutter when speaking? Let's learn more about stuttering.

Does your little one suddenly get stuck when trying to put words together and speak beautifully? Maybe he repeats the same letter or word like “a-a-amma”? Or does he drag out the first letter of a word like “sss…shoes”? As a mother or father, it is very normal for you to feel a little scared and worried when you see these things. Many parents worry about this. So today, let's talk about this condition called ``Stuttering``.

What exactly is stuttering?

Simply put, stuttering is a disruption in the normal rhythm and smoothness of speech. While it can occur at any age, it is most common in young children who are learning to string words together and form sentences. This condition typically begins between 18 and 24 months of age and can last up to about 5 years. It is slightly more common in boys than girls.

Think of it like a child learning a new language. Their brain is trying to connect with the muscles in their mouth to produce words. It's normal to have little stumbling blocks and misunderstandings during this process.

If you take 5 children, about 1 in 20 children will have this kind of speech difficulty at some point in their lives. Also, about 1 in 20 children will have a stuttering problem that lasts for more than 6 months. But even if it does, it does not have to be a lifelong problem. About 50% - 80% of children will completely outgrow this condition by the time they reach adulthood. The most important thing is to be aware of this and respond to the child correctly.

What are the symptoms of this?

There are several signs that can be seen when a child is stuttering. These can sometimes increase when the child is tired, anxious, or very happy.

What are the main types of stuttering?

Stuttering can be divided into three main types.

1. Developmental Stuttering:This is the most common type. It occurs when children are developing their speech and language skills between the ages of 3 and 8. These children usually stutter less when they are talking to themselves, singing songs, or reading a book. However, it can increase when they are speaking in front of a group of people or talking on the phone.

2. Neurogenic Stuttering: This is a little less common. It can occur after a traumatic brain injury (fall, car accident), or stroke .

3. Psychogenic Stuttering: This is very rare and can be seen in adults who have experienced major trauma or have mental illness.

What are the causes of stuttering?

There is no single cause of stuttering, but experts suggest four factors that may contribute to it.

• Family history : 60% of people who stutter have a family member who has or has had the condition. Therefore, it is believed that there may be a genetic influence.
• Child development: Children with other speech or language problems are at higher risk of stuttering.
• Neurophysiology : It has been found that the parts of the brain involved in language in some children who stutter work differently than in a typical child. This may interfere with the communication between the brain and the muscles involved in speech.
• Family environment: There is a belief that the high expectations and fast-paced lifestyle of parents may also have some influence on the stuttering of some children.

In the past, people thought that stuttering was caused by psychological trauma. But that is often a misconception.

When should you seek medical advice?

If you have any concerns or questions about your child's stuttering, talk to your family doctor.Never delay. It's the best and safest thing to do. Your doctor may refer you to a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who specializes in this.

It is especially important to seek medical advice if you experience the following symptoms:

• If you feel like your stuttering is getting worse day by day.
• If stuttering is accompanied by other facial or body movements (e.g., closing eyes, nodding head).
• If it seems like you are trying very hard and struggling to speak.
• If you try to avoid situations where you have to talk (e.g. at school, in front of relatives).
• If the pitch of your voice increases when you stutter.
• If the child continues to stutter after turning 5 years old .

Things you can do as parents

In addition to treatment, there are many things you as a parent can do to help your child. These can go a long way in building your child's self-confidence.

• Listen attentively: When your child is talking, listen carefully without showing any urgency or excitement. Look him in the eye as you speak . Let your child know that you are listening patiently.
• Don't complete sentences: When your child gets stuck, don't try to complete their sentence by saying the word they want to say. Let them try on their own.
• Create a calm environment: Keep the home environment as calm and as clutter-free as possible. Set aside time to talk freely with your child, away from things like the television and phone. The dinner table is a great place for this.
• Don't pressure: Don't force your child to speak or sing in front of others. If he or she feels uncomfortable, avoid the opportunity.
• Don't give advice: Don't give advice like 'take a deep breath', 'speak slowly', 'stop and start again'. Even if these are well-intentioned, they can make the child feel even more anxious and uncomfortable.
• Be a role model: When you talk to your child, speak slowly, calmly, and clearly . Your child will likely learn to speak that way too.
• Talk openly about stuttering:If your child asks questions about this, don't be afraid to say something simple and understandable, such as, "Yes, son, sometimes I get a little stuck when I speak. It happens to most people, and it's not a big deal."

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