I want to get some feedback regarding my daughter situation on stuttering and seeking some professional help. My 29 month daughter started speaking right after her 1st birthday and she learned three languages Arabic, Chaldean, and English. She can speak very well for her age and can speak two languages in one sentence. In the beginning of October is when her stuttering started and it was pretty bad to the point where she was screaming the word out and than the next day she wouldn't say anything to us she would rather point to things than say them where it was really scary for me and her dad to see. Two days after her stutter was completely gone and than it came back. It first started with the beginning of the sentence than through out the sentence it has gone through so many degrees of it. It hasn't been constant it's changes. I've taken her to two pediatrician they both explained to me it's a phase and she will grow out of it she's above the norm for a 2 year old. In the last week or so it's been concerning because we ask her a question and she doesn't answer us when in the past it was no problem. When she is playing with her toys she doesn't stutter and can speak very well in sentences but when we ask her something she has a difficult time answering us back or she will just point to it instead of saying it. There has been weeks where it's better and we've noticed her saying new sentences and new words. I wanted to ask you if this is the norm for her and is it a phase that she will grow out of it or is it something serious we need to look into further.
Thank you
A lot of times their little brains are working faster than their mouths so they can't get the words out fast enough. Don't make any comments about the stuttering or try to help her find the words she is looking for. She'll probably be out of the stuttering phase soon. If not you can always run it by the ped on her next visit.
The problem is that her brain works faster than her mouth can. This is normal at this age and it's normal for speaking ONE language. Your daughter is learning 3 of them.
Ratchet back on speaking so many languages in the home. Just speak one. Don't make a big deal out of her talking. If she points to something, say what it is in ONE language and give it to her.
Do this for a few months and see if things get better. If they don't, tell your ped that you want a speech/language evaluation with a qualified speech therapist who works with multi-lingual families. Lots of times your medical insurance will pay for an evaluation. Get the paperwork in advance and fill it out several days in advance so that you can spend time with it and think things though. The better you fill out the paperwork, the more they will be able to figure your daughter out.
Don't let the ped just say to wait until she's 3. There's a huge amount of brain development going on at this time, and having a qualified assessment done can help you manage this process. Speaking as a mother of a child who had speech issues, I know what I'm talking about, and I also know that not every pediatrician will pay attention to a mom who is worried about her child's speech. You do not have to let the ped tell you no...
Don't confuse a temporary stutter with the Terrible Twos/Threes.
She's at an age where frustration just leads to tantrums - and that would happen for anyone her age - the stutter has nothing to do with it.
Two doctors already told you it was a phase.
Seek a third opinion if it makes you any better - but at some point you need to believe them and quit worrying about it.
This is just how she is developing and growing.
As soon as you get use to one thing, they move on to something else.
Since she can speak well when playing with toys, you might try listening to her in a different way. Make sure that you give her the time to say what she wants to say. Make sure that you demonstrate that you're listening patiently. Don't rush her or appear frustrated or concerned or scared. Demonstrate a calm demeanor, like you might if a friend was showing anxiety because of a problem. Encourage your daughter to take a breath, relax, and even do that yourself so that she mimics you. Get on her eye level and show her that you're giving her time to speak. Yes, it's true that between 2 and 4, many kids stutter as their tongues haven't caught up with their developing brains, but I believe that parents' listening behaviors and attitudes go a long way towards helping the children form their words and sentences more easily.
I disagree with most posts....I think you should get her evaluated by a speech therapist. They are the ones that are experts in this field.
I went to speech therapy with one of mine. He stuttered a bit. But it was typical. I think it's if they repeat the first part more than a couple of times. So d-d-oll is pretty typical. If your child consistently says d-d-d-d-d-d-d-oll then, it might be more of a concern. Even so, there are phases, and if a child feels rushed - again, that's very typical. Parents are supposed to slow down, focus on their child if they are having a hard time spitting it out, and when the child relaxes, it typically is easier for them to form words.
Up until school, kids' speech is still developing. I remember them saying that they are learning how to use language and form sounds. Yours is in three languages. At 2, to have long pauses seems pretty expected (to me). I have nieces who speak 2 languages and they did that - I think they forgot what language they were using.
Speech therapist can help you if you are concerned - you can have her evaluated. Personally I'd trust the two pediatricians. They can spot a stutter. Good luck :)
The stuttering foundation website is a great resource. Stutteringhelp.org. Although disfluency is very normal at this age, some of what you describe is a little concerning. I would check out that website and also consider getting an evaluation, most insurances cover an initial evaluation and pediatricians only have minimal knowledge of stuttering.
I would pretend to ignore it. Like others said, be patient and polite as she gets the word out but don't let her think anything is wrong. Part of the problem may be she's sensing your concern and it could be making it worse.
Quietly observe and once she's 3 if it's still an issue, she can be screened by the Speech Pathologist at your school district.
Probably just a phase.
1) never draw attention to her stuttering
2) speak slowly and clearly to her, especially when she is struggling with her speech.
Usually it's the 'bottle-necking" of words, feelings, and new neurological pathways that cause the stuttering.
Unless you have a family history of speech impediments or it gets a lot worse in the next six months, I wouldn't worry.
If you look back through the history of questions, you will see that many mother's have asked this very question, including me. My daughter went through a phase of stuttering also. It was about this same age too. It's most likely just a phase. My daughter outgrew her stuttering in about 4 to 6 months time. Trust your gut and go to a speech therapist if you think there is a problem, but most likely it's a phase. Good luck!
probably just a phase. but do keep an eye on it and don't hesitate to call the pedi back and voice your concerns to them. trust your gut.
Her brain is probably working on sorting through which language to say a word and more. I think this would be something normal. But, if you think it's something worrisome then make an appointment to have her looked at by a professional.
well i'd certainly want some further info too. it could be just a phase, but the frustration levels (and the fact that she can talk to her toys without stuttering) do seem to indicate something more going on. and you don't want her to get so frustrated that she stops trying, especially being trilingual, which is awesome.
two of my brothers needed speech therapy for stuttering. my dad and older brother both stutter when excited. all have learned to use various tools to get control of it.
don't fall into the trap of 'helping' her by finishing her sentences for her.
however, since two pediatricians have evaluated her and found her within the normal range of a 2 year old learning to talk, it may be your own anxiety about it that's causing her to withdraw. rather than trying to fix HER at this point, i'd focus more on you and your husband staying calm if she's struggling, and let her work her way through without seeing anxious expressions and radiating concern coming from you.
khairete
S.
Sounds like you may be dealing with a stammer rather than a stutter... I can't tell from your post, but given that her doctor isn't concerned and a stammer IS common at young ages it would make sense.
Stammering is different than stuttering in that it is a more general tripping or sticking when speaking rather than sticking on consonant sounds ("Tha-tha-that's my that's my that's my that's my doll" vs "that's my d-d-d-d-d-d-dd-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-doll". Since it comes and goes and seems to be more when she's stressed it sounds like it's when her physical speech can't keep up with her idea...
Two doctors have told you that it's a phase. It's developmentally normal and she will grow out of it as her physical control of her mouth catches up to the speed of her ideas.
You can help by reminding her to slow down and take her time to answer. Not wanting to speak at all because of the stammering makes it sound like it's stressing her out, which at this age is generally because mom or dad is stressing out or stressing her out about it. Don't fuss at her to fix her speech. Don't ask her why she's stuttering. Just "its fine sweety. Slow down and tell me when you're ready."
HTH
T.
This is developmentally normal. I suggest you read up on "what's normal" for various ages. dr Ames has terrific books called, your 2 year olds, your three year old, etc. Your library should have them. Otherwise, you can buy cheap used copies on Amazon. This isn't her norm. Kids about her age stutter. It's Just one of the things they do- like turn into dictators issuing demands at people. Perfectly age appropriate.
