Communication difficulties are merely the tip of the iceberg. Fear, depression, and loneliness can be the unspoken consequences of the disorder. The experts tell parents when concern is warranted.

Imagine that you are a youngster who stutters. Now imagine the fear and panic of standing up in front of your class while attempting to introduce yourself or answer a question. You want to say your name, you know the answer, but you find it impossible to vocalize a response. Anxiety levels ratchet up. Your face gets red with embarrassment. You just know that the kids are going to make fun of you, or laugh at your attempt to speak.

When is it appropriate and what is the best way for parents to step in to help their child? According to the Orlando Stuttering Center, approximately one percent of the general population stutters, with nearly five percent of all children experiencing a stuttering period that lasts six months or more. Three quarters of those will recover by late childhood, leaving the rest to struggle with long-term communication difficulties. Early intervention is the best prevention.

The Stuttering Foundation (SF) defines stuttering as a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak. Stuttering is also referred to as stammering.

Orlando Stuttering Center director, Thomas Gibbons, MA, CCC/SLP, notes that stuttering is often considered merely a challenge with speech when, in truth, it is like the tip of the iceberg visible above the water. The underlying, even more debilitating aspect of the condition that we don’t see and sometimes fail to address, is the fear, worry, depression, and loneliness that comes with lifelong communication problems. “Both children and adults suffer with stuttering,” states Gibbons. “I’ve seen people select their college majors and professions based on their speech problem.”

It’s important that concerned parents seek the help of a speech-language therapist, preferably one with a specialty in stuttering, to address the issue. When Paulina Seminara was four years old, she started to stutter in preschool. Doctors told her mother, Jennifer, that she would grow out of it. “Instead, it continued to get worse,” Jennifer states. “As a Mom, you feel so helpless.  By the time Paulina was in second grade, she couldn’t say a word without stuttering, so we decided to go to the Orlando Stuttering Center.”  It was the right thing to do because Paulina improved with the right treatment.

For more information, visit: orlandostutteringcenter.com, the Stuttering Foundation of America at stutteringhelp.org, and the National Stuttering Association at nsastutter.org.
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Help for Stuttering from Nemours Foundation/Kids Health
According to the experts at Nemours Hospital, there is no cure for stuttering, but effective treatments are available, and you can help your child overcome it.

Early Signs of Stuttering

The first signs of stuttering tend to appear when a child is about 18-24 months old. To parents, the stuttering may be upsetting and frustrating, but it is natural for children to stutter a bit at this stage. It’s important to be as patient with your child as possible. A child may stutter for a few weeks to several months, and the stuttering may be sporadic.

Most kids who begin stuttering before the age of 5, stop without any need for intervention, such as speech or language therapy. However, if your child’s stuttering is frequent, continues to get worse, or is accompanied by body or facial movements, an evaluation by a speech-language therapist is recommended around the age of three years and rarely before then.

The School Years
Usually, stuttering drops to very low levels once kids enter elementary school and start sharpening their communication skills. However, a school-age child who continues to stutter is likely aware of the problem and may be embarrassed by it. Talk to the teacher, who may be able to minimize the number of stressful speaking situations for your child until speech therapy begins.

When to Seek Help
If your child is 5 years old and still stuttering, talk to your doctor and, possibly, a speech-language therapist. You may want to consult a speech therapist if:

• Part word repetition and silent block become excessive and consistent.
• Speech starts to become especially difficult or strained.
• You notice increased facial tension or tightness in the speech muscles.
• You notice vocal tension resulting in rising pitch or loudness.
• Your child tries to avoid situations that require talking.

Do’s and Don’ts for Parents

• Provide a calm atmosphere in the home. Try to slow down the pace of family life.
• Speak slowly and clearly when talking to your child or to others in his or her presence.
• Maintain natural eye contact with your child. Try not to look away or show signs of being upset.
• Let your child speak for him or herself and finish thoughts and sentences. Pause before responding to your child’s questions or comments.
• Talk slowly to your child. This takes practice! Modeling a slow rate of speech will help with your child’s fluency.
• Don’t require that your child speaks precisely or correctly at all times. Allow talking to be fun and enjoyable.
• Avoid distractions, such as radio or TV during mealtimes.
• Avoid corrections or criticisms, such as “slow down,” “take your time,” or “take a deep breath.” These comments, however well intentioned, will only make your child feel more self-conscious.
• Avoid having your child speak or read aloud when uncomfortable or when the stuttering increases.
• Don’t interrupt your child or tell him or her to start over.
• Don’t tell your child to think before speaking.

This information was provided by KidsHealth®, one of the largest resources online for medically reviewed health information written for parents, kids, and teens. For more articles like this, visit KidsHealth.org or TeensHealth.org. © 1995- 2011. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. All rights reserved.