Does your child stutter or slur his words when he speaks? (Stuttering and Speech Problems) Let's talk about this!

Does your little one sometimes get confused when he talks? Or does he stutter when he tries to say the same word? Maybe he says "mama" and then says something like "a-a-a-mama". This is something that really worries and worries many parents. But before we get worried, let's be aware of these speech difficulties, that is, `(Stuttering and Speech Problems)`. Because when you know about this correctly, you will feel a lot of relief.

What are these little ones' speech difficulties called?

Simply put, speech difficulties are when a child has difficulty putting their thoughts into words and speaking clearly and fluently. These can come in a variety of forms.

Stuttering

This is something that many people know and see often. Stuttering means that the child knows what he is trying to say, but the words don't come out easily.

• Sometimes the same word or part of a word may be repeated . Imagine, Nimal's son goes to say "water" and says something like "wa-wa-wa-water".
• Or you can draw out part of a word and say it , like "Aaaaam".
• Sometimes I can't even start a word, I just feel stuck .

This can vary from child to child. Some days it may be less, some days it may be more.

Other speech sound problems

In addition to stuttering, some children also have difficulty pronouncing certain letters, that is, sounds, correctly.

• For example, the letter "sa", the letter "sha", and the letter "cha" sound like "tha" when pronounced like that. We call it a 'lisp' . That is, when you say "siya" it sounds like "theya", and when you say "sapattu" it sounds like "tapattu".
• Some children also have difficulty pronouncing words that start with the letter "r" . "Kareka" can be pronounced like "kaleka". The letter "la" is also a problem for some.

But the most important thing is that no matter what kind of speech difficulty your child has, you need to remember that there are ways to help them and improve the situation .

Why do words get tangled and stutter when speaking?

As humans, we have an amazing ability to talk and share our thoughts, don't we? This is how it works:

1. First, an idea arises in our brain .

2. Then the brain converts that idea into a system of symbols called the language we have learned.

3. The idea, thus converted into language, is sent by the brain as a message to the muscles that help with speech, as if to produce a sound.

4. Then the muscles in our mouth, face, neck, tongue, and throat move according to that message and create words.

Imagine how complex this process is! So, sometimes there can be a slight interruption or blockage in this process. We call this a `Dysfluency` .

In fact, we all stumble over a word or two from time to time, and we suddenly forget what we are going to say. That is normal. However, if this ``Dysfluency`` is so severe that it interferes with the child's daily conversation, if it is noticeable to others, and if it causes the child embarrassment or anxiety, then we consider it a speech problem .

Why do some children have these difficulties?

Doctors and scientists still don't know the exact cause, but many believe that the problem may be caused by a lack of coordination between the brain's messages to the muscles involved in speech.

Stuttering, in particular, can sometimes be hereditary . That is, it can have a genetic influence . Research has found that children who stutter are about three times more likely to have a close family member (such as a mother, father, sibling, grandparent) who has a history of stuttering. So, if your child stutters, someone else in the family may have the problem.

How do you know for sure that this is the case?

If you have any doubts about your child's speech, the best thing to do is to seek medical advice.

• When you see your family doctor (your regular doctor) and talk about this, he or she can refer you to a specialist.
• Or you can see a Speech and Language Pathologist directly. Sometimes these therapists will come to your child's school to meet with them and check their speech patterns.

This therapist will talk to the child, have them read some words, and do small activities to see how the child's speaking skills are.

Hearing Test

Often, the speech therapist will also recommend that your child have a hearing test . We call this a visit to an audiologist . Why do we need a hearing test? Just think, if a child can't hear well, they may not be able to understand how they speak or the sounds of other people's words. Then they will have difficulty pronouncing words correctly. That's why this test is also very important.

Are there treatments for stuttering and other speech disorders?

Yes, there definitely is! That's the good news you need to know.

The speech and language therapist will examine the child and discuss the results with you and the child. Based on this, they will decide whether the child needs speech therapy or not.

What is Speech Therapy?

This is the main treatment method. In this, the therapist works with the child through one-on-one activities and exercises to develop the child's speaking skills.

• These therapy sessions can be done by the child alone with the therapist.
• Or, you can do it with a group of other children . When you do it with a group, the support you get from other children is also a great strength for the child.

The therapist teaches the child how to manipulate sounds properly, control breathing, and speak smoothly. They teach new methods, easy methods.

Most importantly: It is essential to continue practicing the exercises your therapist teaches you at home . Set aside a little time each day for this. It's like practicing a sport. Practice is the secret to success.

At first, these new methods and exercises may seem a little strange and perhaps a little difficult to the child. But over time, with good practice , you yourself will notice a big difference in your child's speech. Your child will also gain a lot of confidence when talking to you. But remember one thing, no one speaks 100% correctly all the time. It is normal to make small mistakes.

How does living with a speech impediment affect a child?

A child who has difficulty speaking can be affected psychologically.

• He may feel sad and ashamed .
• You may be afraid of speaking in front of others and may be tempted to avoid it .
• You might even think, "It's better if I don't talk."

But, like any other problem, speech problems don't go away by just ignoring them . So, instead of hiding a stutter or other speech impediment, it's important to talk about it openly and try to improve it. Help your child talk to friends and teachers about it.

How to deal with teasing

Unfortunately, children with speech difficulties sometimes have to face teasing and bullying from others. It really hurts when someone makes fun of something they have no complete control over.

• At times like this , the support of parents, friends, and teachers is invaluable.
• If someone makes fun of you, the child can simply say, "I have a little difficulty speaking, I'm trying to work on it."
• But if the teasing continues, encourage your child to ask an adult for help .

Teach your child to be patient with themselves. Many children who have difficulty speaking can improve greatly with practice, especially if they keep trying.

What if a friend or someone you know has a problem like this?

If a child or friend you know has difficulty speaking like this, you can help them too.

• Be a good friend.
• Listen patiently while he talks. Allow him to express himself fully.
• If you don't understand what he said, politely ask, "I didn't hear that right, could you repeat that?"Don't be afraid. It will help him, not hurt him.

So, what are the most important things we should remember from this story? (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so after this long talk, there are a few key points we need to remember:

• Recognize it early: If you notice any changes or difficulties in your child's speech pattern, don't ignore it. The sooner you recognize it, the easier it is to help.
• Professional help: Don't be afraid or ashamed to seek help from a Speech and Language Pathologist . They are the experts who can help you with this.
• Practice and Patience: To get the most out of speech therapy, practice at home and patience are essential. This is not something that happens overnight.
• Support: The love, encouragement, and support from family, friends, and teachers are a great source of strength for a child to go through this journey.
• Positive attitude: Remember, many children make significant progress in this situation. So approach this with hope and positivity.

If your child is struggling with this, remember that you are not alone on this journey. There are many people who can help and support you. The most important thing is the right guidance and perseverance .

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