Stuttering? Or a phase?

Question

My 2 1/2 yr old has recently started adding syllables to the end of some of his words. He does not do it all the time but he will say something like I went..t.t.t.t. to the store. The dog has.s.s.s.s.s.s food.
Is this normal? Is it a phase he is going thru? Learning the sounds words make? (We also happen to be learning the sounds of letters so I will say S goes SSSSSSSS to him etc)
Or is this a beginning of a stutter that we need to worry about?

Answer 1

Go to www.stutteringhelp.org as The Stuttering Foundation has loads of information for parents of young children. They have a chart that will help you decide if it is just a phase or if/when your child needs to see a speech therapist who specializes in stuttering (they have a list of those referrals all over the world). They also have tips of things you can do at home to help your child.

Answer 2

I know many moms who have had their kids go through speech evaluation and treatment. You have nothing to loose by speaking to a professional, and in most places the assessment and often the treatment is free. I forget what the US program is called maybe "Head start".

A speech therapist will just play some games with your child and listen to them speak, there is nothing traumatic or stressful about the testing. It is very low key. Therapy if needed is equally low stress sometimes it is even done in groups. And again most of the therapy is presented in the form of playing games and singing songs.

Yes probably this is nothing serious. I always get told by my grandma how I used to double "l"s on the end of words. Tail-lul, Stoll-lul.

Ultimately though you haven't nothing to loose in getting an opinion from a professional.

Answer 3

My son went through a phase where he muttered everything he said under his breath after he said it. For example (Hello Mommy, then under his breath Hello Mommy again) EVERYTHING. It really freaked me out, and then he stopped. I would just keep tabs on it, and if it goes on for more than a couple of months, I would talk to your Doctor about it. Also, is there anything traumatic that happened to him recently could have caused him to start stuttering? That might make a Dr.'s visit useful, also. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Sounds like he is imitating you. Start not emphasizing the words so much or so often and see if he stops doing it. If not then have him checked- your local school district can refer you to someone.

Stuttering can be helped immensely by early intervention so if it continues really go and have him checked. Stuttering cause children immense embarrassment!

Answer 5

When I think of stuttering, I generally think of it coming with beginning sound of a word. I w-w-w-went to the store. I wouldn't worry too much right now but if it continues and especially if it gets worse, at your next dr appt bring it to their attention. If it gets much worse and it's frustrating him, go ahead and call them and ask the nurse or dr on call what they think and if he should be seen or it can wait till the next regular appt.