Fluency
Fluency:
This is the rhythm of our speech. We sometimes repeat sounds or pause while talking. People who do this a lot may stutter.
Question: My young child has started stuttering, should I be worried?
Answer: This is very common, in fact we call it "typical dysfluency". Many children go through a normally-nonfluent period. Common length is 3-6 months. Children can exhibit core stuttering behaviors but without struggle and force. Meaning when the child stutters it appears to be easy and effortless. If he appears to be unaware he is stuttering, it's a good sign! A child who stutters will often show signs of tension in the neck or face, he may hit his leg or stomp his foot to help him "get out of" the stutter. The fact that he does not stutter all the time is also a very good sign. If the stuttering was persistent - we would need to worry more at this time. His age is also a good sign - If stuttering BEGINS before age 3, there is about a 70% chance for recovery within 3-6 months after onset. Please keep in mind some children continue to stutter for 36 months or more after stuttering onset. The fact the child is a male is a reason to "watch" it though.
Questions to ask yourself:
Is there s a strong family pattern associated with those who stutter. Is there someone else in the family who stutters?
Children who stutter tend to have other disorders (i.e., articulation, language, ADHD, Down's, Voice disorder). Do you have any concerns regarding the child's ability to communicate or is the child extremely over active? What is the child's motor development like compared to other children the same age?
Did the stuttering begin suddenly (1 day to 1 week) or was it more gradual (2-5 weeks or more).
Has there been any major changes in the child's life recently?
How does the parent feel about the stuttering? Are they bringing attention to it or ignoring it?
Suggestions for caregivers:
Speak slowly.
Limit the number of questions that are asked.
Try not to interrupt the child or have the child interrupt others.
Reduce demand speech.
Give your child time to talk. Try not to finish sentences or fill in words.
Increase the time you take to respond to statements/questions.
Reduce making suggestions such as "slow down", "think" or "take a breath"
Where does the sound get stuck?
Throat/Voice box?
Back of your mouth?
Tip of your tongue?
Lips?
When you stutter, try to feel where the words are getting stuck. What body part is affected?
What kind of stuttering do you do?
Watch this video and see if you can notice what kind of stuttering these kids are doing.
Blocks- air and sound stops completely for a moment
Prolongations- a sound is produced for longer than expected
Repetitions- a sound or part of the word is repeated
Do you know what kind of stuttering you do? Take a moment and try to figure it out. It might be all 3.
Practice Easy Onset and Slow Speech
I can say words slowly when I copy the teacher
I can say words slowly when I read from a list
I can read one sentence slowly
I can read five sentences slowly
I can speak slowly when I describe a picture using one sentence
I can speak slowly when I describe a picture using five sentences
I can speak slowly when telling a story using five sentences
I can slow my speech while I am talking when my teacher gives the reminder signal