Parents of children with stutters or speech impediments, when did your child first show signs of the issue?

Question

I watch a child in my home day care that I'm beginning to worry about her having a stutter. She's 2 1/2 and her parents just keep telling her to slow down, but I think it's much more than getting excited when she wants to talk. And it's happening with more and more frequency and with more and more consonant sounds.

Answer 1

You need to go to the best source of information about stuttering, The Stuttering Foundation at www.stutteringhelp.org, and tell the parents to do the same. There is much information of what parents and others should do to help a young child who begins stuttering as well as a chart to help you decide if this is a concern that needs attention by a speech therapist.

Answer 2

My daughter started at 2 1/2! She is in speech therapy! They told me this and I hope it helps
-Never tell them to slow down
-Never make them stop and start again
-Always make eye contact when they are speaking
-Never rush them to talk
Pronounce every thing slowly (Ba-th, coo-kie) (The words that they stutter on.) Don't do it right after they stutter. Have school time. We do it 10:00 am and 3:00 pm For 15 mins each. I have her repeat random words after me. I hold up cards and let her tell me what is on the cards.
I hope all of this helps.

Answer 3

I have a set of twins 1 boy and 1 girl. At first we just thought that his speech was developing slower than hers. At 2 1/2 we realized that he was really struggling. He's 3 now, and we have him in speech therapy. I'm so glad we made this decision because he is really catching up with his sister (and other 3 year olds) fast.

Answer 4

my son started stuttering in kindergarten....he is entering third grade now...he only stutters when he is extremely nervous, this is an improvement from the past....the speech pathologist said that it should not be a hindrance unless he shows strong physical symptoms of having a hard time with it...such as waving his hands to get back on track, blinking profusely to get back on track, or showing that he is very hurt by other kids comments...i should note, that my son used to be hurt, but now he is comfortable with who he is and tells kids that he stutters because it is a part of him....also, it is good to be patient and wait for what they are trying to say rather than tell them what to do i.e.: get focused, slow down, collect your thoughts etc... as they are already trying their best to do this....my son usually asks me to finish his word or sentences for him if i know what he is trying to say...most kids do not like this...ask your child if it would help him/her EDIT: i should also note that my daughter at age three has a speech impediment, but....the pathologist said that sometimes the impediment will subside by age seven without any intervention and to wait until then to get any help for it

Answer 5

My niece and nephew and my hubby.. the speech impediment was completely recognized by age three.. but 2 1/2 you question it..

Answer 6

By pre-school age, my gran daughter had her own language, in kindergarten the teacher had her tested and she went to special classes ,that was 2 years ago,she is much better now.