Stuttering can have a significant impact on a child’s self-esteem and social interactions, as well as their academic performance. Understanding stuttering is important for parents and caregivers in order to find the best treatment options for their child. By understanding the different types of stuttering, recognizing the signs and symptoms, and seeking professional help when needed, parents can ensure that their child receives appropriate care for this condition.
Stuttering is a speech disorder that can be difficult to understand, especially in children. It is characterized by disruptions in the flow of speech and can range from mild to severe. Children who stutter may have difficulty forming words or sentences, and they may repeat certain sounds or syllables when speaking.
Stuttering signs and symptoms may include:
- Difficulty starting a word, phrase or sentence
- Prolonging a word or sounds within a word
- Repetition of a sound, syllable or word
- Brief silence for certain syllables or words, or pauses within a word (broken word)
- Addition of extra words such as “um” if difficulty moving to the next word is anticipated
- Excess tension, tightness, or movement of the face or upper body to produce a word
- Anxiety about talking
- Limited ability to effectively communicate
The speech difficulties of stuttering may be accompanied by:
- Rapid eye blinks
- Tremors of the lips or jaw
- Facial tics
- Head jerks
- Clenching fists
