Stuttering Therapy for Young Children

Most children begin stuttering when they are around two to five years old. Stuttering is characterized by the interruption of speech. Parents usually first notice the condition when the child repeat or prolong certain syllables and words. Sometimes, the child may stop and be silent for certain words. In most cases, children will become fluent once they are beyond five. However, without prompt and effective treatment, some may continue to stutter even when they become adults.

To begin therapy, the parents first have to identify the stuttering problem. When a two-year old child stutters, the parents should not be too concerned. However, if the condition worsens, parents should take the child to a professional speech-language therapist for an evaluation when the child turns three. If the parents did not take the child for an evaluation and the child continues to stutter when he/she is five, the parents should immediately contact a doctor a a speech-language therapist. Other signs that require professional therapy include excessive repetition of complete words or phrases, vocal tension in pitch or loudness, avoidance of speech, and increased prolongations of words.

Currently, there is no single cure for stuttering once the condition has set in. There are, however, many effective means to prevent the condition from worsening. Children who receive therapies from speech-language pathologists at an early age will have the chance to be cured. Therapies usually entail making changes in the speaking manner. One of the more popular therapies is the Lidcombe Program. The child’s parents or carer needs to take an active role in this program since they are required to administer the treatment they learn from weekly visits at the speech-language pathologist’s office. It is more helpful if the stuttering child is also seeing a counselor regularly to discuss his/her emotional and psychological pressure about speech.

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