What can cause a 4 year old who spoke perfectly fine suddenly start to stutter?

Question

I have babysit this child since he was a baby. He is now 4 and his mom lost her job. He was gone for a month, came back and now he is stuttering. He talked so perfect before. What could have happened that made him start to stutter and should I report it to CPS?

Answer 1

Check out The Stuttering Foundation of America at www.stutteringhelp.org as they have a list of things you can do at home to help a young child who starts stuttering, a risk factors chart, information about what causes stuttering, etc.

Answer 2

There could be a lot of reasons. Stuttering is currently believed to be a speech motor disorder caused to some extent by genetic factors. Once a child begins to stutter there are common factors that can trigger an increase in the amount or severity. Some of the triggers may include excitement, tiredness, and competing for a turn to talk. Sometimes stuttering is mistaken for cluttering- sounds very similar. Make sure you see a speech pathologist- they will have the most knowledge. I have heard of a great therapy called The Lidcombe Program. They have a book that would definitely be worth the read~ Good Luck!

Answer 3

I don't know where he was gone for a month nor how he was treated while he was gone. I don't think this is a extreme cause for an alarm to call CPS, unless he was abused while he was away for a month. It may be because he is stressed. Usually children can feel the parent's stress, such as his mom losing her job. Which is stressful on it's own.

Here is a link for Children and Stuttering. The child is building a vocabulary as well. Usually the stuttering is only temporary. http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/weeklyquestion/a/kids_stuttering.htm

Answer 4

My 3.5 year old does this on and off. It is nothing to report to CPS. I am not even sure I would even know how to go about telling CPS that someone's child is stuttering. I know what you mean though, maybe something happened to him. But my daughter does this. I was worried so I talked to a speech therapist who said it is not uncommon for kids to do this for attention. Sometimes they get a little ahead of themselves when they are talking even. Brain and mouth out of sync. It usually happens by accident and often kids realize they get more attention because of it and continue to do it. Then when they stop getting the attention, they stop doing it. I hope this helps. :o)

Answer 5

If you suspect verbal/mental abuse, I would look for more signs before it is reported. Stuttering could be caused by a number of things. The child may be going through a lot of emotional stress due to the recent change in his family therefore he's not thinking clearly when he begins to speak. I would casually mention it to his mother. Be careful not to offend or accuse her. Let her know that you are concerned and want to know if you could do anything to help. Working in a daycare center, I found that kids will tell other caregivers things they don't tell their parents. Ask him about what's going on at home, but on his social level. Out of the blue, ask him what's on his mind. Don't dwell on the topics, though. Allow him to express himself and change the subject freely. Good luck and hopefully there's no problem, just a phase.

Answer 6

I think he could've been introduced to child abuse or some traumatic things going on in his home. Like, if he's stressed at home and crying a lot cuz maybe his mom is always punishing him and not being a good mom (punishing him more and listening less) then that may be the cause. Or his schedule could be really messed up and it could be affecting his mind.

Answer 7

Maybe some trauma of some sort? Be careful before you report anyone to CPS. Know the facts. That's some serious business. Sorry this has happened. That's sad. :o(

Answer 8

go to a counselor and ask how to help a child work through this. Talk to your child about feelings and everything. Say (just pretend you hit your toe on the wall) ouch that made me sad! I stubbed my toe. Or when something isn't working right say ooh that vcr is broken I am not happy that the vcr is broken! Just try to make a stride to do this often and maybe this kid will talk.

Answer 9

any number of things could have happened but talk to his mom. Tell her that you are concerned. Now if she gets really defensive or gives you an unbelievable story then seek other advice from your parents, child's other relatives then family services.

Answer 10

maybe confidence! 4 year olds go through so many changes and it is very easy for them to be overwhelmed. and maybe some kind of ear problems maybe lots of ear infections, or fluid on his ear drum making him hear things differently now! I really don't think you should report this unless you have a reason to suspect abuse like bruises or something like that!