Many a parent has taken their child to the doctor to report stuttering only to be told that what is happening is completely normal.  What?  Since when has stuttering been normal? Most parents are aghast when their pediatrician smiles and tells them to relax that it is likely something that they will outgrow.  As parents we want to protect our kids and make sure that they develop properly, so why would a stutter be normal? 

Some Stuttering is Expected 

Toddlers are growing by leaps and bounds in every way possible.  Each day they are learning new things about how the world works as well as the vocabulary to go along with it.  Part of being a toddler is knowing how you feel but not being able to express it properly.  When you have a mind full of thoughts and you can’t get them out fast enough, stuttering or stammering is usually the result!   

Most children go through a stuttering phase.  They may do it when they are nervous or excited or it may occur when they are upset, tired, or frustrated.  A lot of the time it is not true stuttering, instead your child may say “um” or “uh” several times before they find the word that they are searching their vocabulary for.  Many children will also repeat the same word over and over again until they can complete the thought that they have aloud.  This is very normal and something that may come and go for some or remain consistent for others. 

We all stutter in this way from time to time.  Think about when your mind is racing and you are trying to articulate what you are feeling.  When this happens you probably say “um” or “uh” more than you usually do.  This is the same thing as most toddlers experience and generally is not something to worry about.  If you want your doctor’s opinion, don’t hesitate to make a call and bring your child in to be seen. 

When should you worry?  Most children will outgrow much of this by the time they are ready for school.  If the problem seems to get gradually worse instead of better, you may want to give the doctor a call just to see what they think.  Your doctor may refer you to a speech specialist or they may take the “wait and see” approach.  Every child will stutter from time to time, you just need to monitor it and determine if it is a problem that is easing with age or not.  Luckily, if it is true stuttering there are many speech therapies available that will allow your child to speak and be understood. 

Posted in Toddler Time

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