+ Will my child outgrow stuttering without treatment?

The good news? Most children do! Around 70-80% of preschoolers who stutter naturally outgrow it on their own and more than half stop stuttering within six months of onset. The bad news? We cannot yet predict, with certainty, which children outgrow stuttering spontaneously and which kids do not. That's not to say that stuttering does not resolve for the remaining 20-30%; many times, they just need a little help. Research has shown that early intervention for stuttering results in positive, long-term results for many children. One treatment, in particular, focuses on changing the child's environment (not the child’s stuttering), which leads to decreased stuttering for many children. If this type of "hands-off" therapy sounds right for you and your child, check out our Keep Them Talking E-Course.

+ SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The first thing you should do is get to know the risk factors. Researchers have identified risk factors that have been found to put children at a higher risk for persistent stuttering, meaning they are less likely to outgrow stuttering on their own. On the other hand, children with no, or very few risk factors have a very good chance of regaining fluent speech without any intervention at all. While risk factors matter, your level of concern and your child's feelings about stuttering matter more. If you are concerned about your child's stuttering, or your child is showing signs of frustration and negative feelings about their stuttering, don't hesitate to seek a consultation with Kelly or an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist in your area. Knowing if your child has any risk factors is essential when making decisions about whether or not to seek treatment. Above all else, trust your intuition; there is no harm in asking questions.

+ What are the risk factors?

Unfortunately, there is no way to know whether a child's stuttering will resolve without treatment, resolve with treatment, or persist throughout life. There are, however, risk factors that help us make more informed decisions about when/if you should start treatment. When it comes to evaluating risk factors, I tend to look at them as suggestions, not predictions, with some risk factor combinations being more suggestive than others. For example, while some risk factor profiles might warrant a "let's just keep a close eye on it" type of recommendation, others warrant a "let's get started now," type of recommendation. To highlight this variation, I created a weighted Risk Factor (and Other Considerations) Quiz tool with a post-quiz Risk Factor Breakdown to provide parents with a little insight into the “heavy hitter” risk factors, with the singular goal of helping parents make more informed decisions about treatment

+ My child doesn’t have risk factors but I’m still worried, what should I do?

Heightened parental concern is enough to warrant further action. Research has found that parent and caregiver reactions can negatively affect, and even exacerbate stuttering for some children. Often a simple consult or a single session is enough to come up with a plan and put parents at ease. Don’t hesitate; your concerns are worthy of a conversation with an experienced SLP in your area or skip the wait and book a Virtual Session with Kelly right now.

+ Is it normal or the real deal?

This is a common, and important question. Determining whether your child's mind is simply, moving faster than their mouth, or if he is truly stuttering is an important question. The answer can be found by looking at the underlying reason for the disruptions/disfluencies in their speech; it's a question of Thinking vs. Knowing.

When your child is struggling to get their words out, does it seem like they are trying to “buy time” while thinking about how to communicate his or her message? Is he or she restarting, or revising their message as they try to find the best way to express their thoughts? Are they repeating multisyllabic words and phrases? If this describes your child's stuttering pattern, then it's likely "normal disfluencies." These types of disfluencies are related to language formulation(figuring out how to express what they want to say), not stuttering, and is very common in the preschool years.

OR

Does it seem like they know exactly what they want to say but has trouble getting it out smoothly? Is she repeating syllables and sounds, stretching sounds, or getting stuck (silent blocks) while trying to get her message out? If this describes your child, it is likely "true" stuttering. Not to panic though, 70-80% of these kiddos outgrow it on their own. Check out our Risk Factor Quiz to see if your child is likely to outgrow stuttering.

Specific examples of each type of stuttering can be found here (coming soon).

+ What treatment is best for my preschooler?

The best treatment approach for your child is the one that aligns with your values and meets your child’s needs right at this very moment; keep in mind that what is “best” may change over time as your child continues to progress. Knowing your treatment options will help you make a decision that feels comfortable for you. Generally speaking, there are four, different commonly used approaches to treating early stuttering; Indirect Treatment, Direct Treatment, Multifactorial, and Operant Treatment. These treatment approaches are described in detail in the eCourse, but if you want a quick breakdown- check out this quick clip (coming soon). Our WOTS eCourse teaches primarily indirect strategies that work to reduce and/or eliminate stuttering indirectly by making changes to the environment (not the child). In addition to indirect strategies, parents will learn how and when to talk about stuttering with their child, as well as how to cultivate and celebrate communication of every kind.

Stuttering Treatment: Harmful or Helpful?

You may have come across some conflicting information regarding the treatment of stuttering. First and foremost, the path a family chooses for their own, personal stuttering journey is theirs to make; and it's our job, as SLP's, to honor that choice. Period. I also strongly feel that it is my job, as an SLP, to present all of the options available, and to educate parents of the pros and cons of each so that they can make an informed decision about the direction they choose for their child. In regards to preschool stuttering, research has shown that the longer a child stutters, the more likely they will continue to stutter. The good news is that research also suggests that early intervention, when done correctly and carefully, has proven to have positive and lasting results. Despite what you may have heard, you do not have to choose between your child's emotional well-being or fluent speech; preschool stuttering treatment, when done well, can provide both for many young children.

+ Is it normal for my child's stuttering to come and go?

Yes, it’s very normal and is one of the most frustrating aspects of stuttering for many parents. The reason behind this phenomenon is highlighted in chapter two of our eCourse. I’ve found that understanding “the why” behind these, often abrupt, stuttering swings alleviates some of the roller-coaster-induced anxiety for parents, and also helps guide parents in choosing which strategies to use when the shift occurs.