Stammering can also be known as ‘stuttering’ or ‘dysfluency’. Stammering mostly begins in childhood and is where there is a disruption in the flow of speech. Children typically stammer between the ages of 2-6 years and 10% of children will stammer in early childhood. However, only 1% of children will continue to stammer as they get older.
Stammering may include:
- Increased use of hesitations or pauses
- Increased use of filler words such ‘err’ and ‘umm’
- Repetition of whole words, syllables or sounds e.g. It’s a It’s a It’s a lorry, I saw a bu bu bu butterfly, I want to p p play.
- Stretching out of beginning sounds (prolongations) e.g. hey its mmmmine.
- Blocking, where the words or sound don’t seem to come out at all.
- Sometimes there may be extra tension or movement such as physical tension in the head or neck or a child tapping their foot.
Speech and language therapists (SLTs) play a role in offering support and therapy for children and young people who stammer. They support individuals to be the best communicator they can be whether or not they are stammering. Some older children and young people who stammer may be comfortable with their stammer and do not need help from speech and language therapy.
When to refer to Speech and Language Therapy:
- If a child of any age has stammered for more than three months and the parent is seeking advice and support
- If a parent is concerned about their child’s stammering
- If a child is becoming upset or frustrated by their stammer or avoiding situations
Top Tips for supporting children and young people who stammer
Do these things
- Give your child plenty of time to speak
- Give your child your full attention when speaking
- Give your child your full attention when speaking Keep your speech rate slower
- Keep your sentences short and simple
- Keep relaxed and calm
- Be sympathetic. Children can sometimes feel under less pressure once they know someone understands
- Encourage good turn-taking in conversation, encourage brothers and sisters to wait their turn to talk.
Do not do these things
- Ask lots of questions
- Correct their speech or tell them to go slower
- Interrupt them or finish sentences for them
Additional ideas
- Try keeping a diary and recording when your child stammer increases or decreases. You may spot a pattern such as stammering more at bedtime, or in the holidays
- Have a quiet time after school (a drink, look at a book or watch TV). This quiet time should last about 5-10 minutes.