Getting Excited Stuttering???

C. - Here's a link to some information that may help you. I'm a speech language pathologist and can say that this is the best website to find information on stuttering. Hope this helps! K.

http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=6

Hi C.,

This is very normal for this age. I would say that if it persists after age 4 you might want to look into it, but for now just be patient. We were told not to tell them to slow down...that is your first instinct, but we were told that makes it even worse. It is very frustrating for them and you, but it is something a lot of children go through. I have noticed it more in boys than girls.

C.

Hi there,
I'm a speech-language pathologist, and I agree with everything everyone has said--it's normal. Everyone gave excellent advice, and I would just add that when you are speaking to your son, model nice and easy speech. Like someone else said, his brain and language center are growing by leaps and bounds; and sometimes, little ones just want to speak so fast b/c they have so much to say. Then, their words can become jumbled and they get even more excited, and it's hard to get all of those words out! Be patient and give him time to say what he wants/needs to say, and I bet you'll see this pass as he gets older. Take care.

Very normal, and actually an exciting sign that his brain is growing and learning so much right now. Basically, his brain is working faster than his mouth is and his mouth can't keep up with his brain, causing the stuttering. It probably happens more when he is excited, talking fast, or trying to tell a long or involved story, right? Soon his mouth will catch up to his growing brain and it will resolve itself. :)
S.
mom of 3 and daycare provider

I think this is normal for this age. My almost 3 year old does it too when he's trying to talk about something he did that was very fun. I think his mind is sometimes going faster than his mouth.

My oldest went through a stage like this(and at times still does this). They know what they want to say but they can't get their mouth to cooperate with them. Just encourage him to keep trying. Don't pressure him when he is trying, just look at him and smile. In other words don't try to rush his pace. My husband would always get frustrated and tell him to "spit it out" which did nothing but make our son embarrassed. If you have an idea of what he is trying to say you could try to give him a prompt word. If it continues and he gets very frustrated just remind him that it will get easier as he gets older. If it concerns you then bring him to a speech therapist.

It's normal. It is child development. Child's brain at that age is going a lot faster than their speech skills can handle. In other words, They are thinking faster than they can produce the words.

My son had this exact same problem when he turned 3. We took him to the doctor and he said it was normal. We did have a speech therapist also take a look at him. She gave us a few great tips. Model your speech for him, words he is having trouble with you stetch out the words for him. (ie. I want some...turns into Iiiiii waaannnt soooom ...) Soon he will model you and instead of stuttering he will stretch out the words also. Also, she said for me to slow down all my speech. At that age they have so much to say and get excited and can't get it all out as fast as we do, so slow down yourself to show him how.
Good Luck!

My oldest son began stuttering at about the age of 3. I didn't think much of it but once he started preschool at the age of 4 I figured that maybe it wasn't something he would grow out of. I spoke with the speech therapist at his school and they began working with him. They taught him a few techniques that were pretty helpful and then some that maybe weren't so much. He still stutters occasionally when he gets very excited or very nervous. I was told not to tell him to slow down but I do and it works for us. He just needs to be reminded sometimes that I am listening and he needs to slow down. I guess my advice would be to keep a watchful eye on him and be prepared if he does need some help. I also get results when I place a hand on his shoulder, it seems to calm him. Good luck and let me know if you need any more advice.

Hi C.-

My son did this for about 8 months. He started right around when he turned 3. I had him screened for a speech delay twice and also had a full speech exam (a 3 hour process) done. I am an early childhood diagnostician, so I was completely paranoid. I was told over and over again that he was "borderline" but did not qualify for therapy. Anyway, my son is now 4 1/2 and no longer has these dysfluencies. He is sometimes difficult to understand as he has trouble with certain sounds, but I've been told they're all age appropriate. Just hang in there. I know how frustrating it can be. If it makes you feel better, have him screened through your neighborhood school just to be safe. Chances are, they'll tell you it's developmentally appropriate. Good luck!

-L.

My daughter never had a problem with this; however, my son did and still does at times. He just turned 3 and about 3-6 months ago he started stuttering. At first I was worried that he might have a problem but then as I watched him, I could see that the wheels inside his head were turning so fast & he had so much to say that his mouth couldn't keep up. He has gotten much better but if he gets excited he starts doing it again. I wouldn't worry about it. As he gets older he will "grow out of it."

It is very normal. When my oldest son was three also, he began stuttering really bad too. I took him to a speech therapist, and after doing extensive testing on him, they told me he is still developing his speech and sounds and learning new words at the same time. I wish I had known about this website many years ago, it would have saved some Dr fees for stuff like this.

One thing that others have not mentioned that may be a factor -- sometimes kids start doing this when there is a new sibling in the house. My brother did this when my sister came along. My mom got him a pounding game (little carpenter's bench that you pound the pegs through and then turn it over and do again), and it really helped, apparently. So maybe in addition to just waiting for him to outgrow, you could try something like this.

Hi C.,
Both my sons did this around age 3. My older son has been in speech therapy since age 1.5, due to other issues, but the speech therapist assured us it's because his mouth can't keep up with his brain. The technical term is "disfluency". It is something he will grow out, and some things you can do to help are: model your speech, never rush him to talk, and slow down your speech while talking to him (turtle talk). And by all means, never make fun of or draw any attention to his disfluency, it could cause him to become so self conscious that it could develop into a real stutter.
Our speech therapist said a real stutter wouldn't start until around age 5-6.
Hope this helps!

I know my sister had this problem for a while. My mom disided it was because he had to compete with others to be herd, so she would start talking without knowing what she was going to say.

My mom told her that she needed to think about what she was going to say. She also told her when she was ready to speak that everyone would listen. That seemed to solve the problem.

My three year old daughter did the same thing. Everyone wanted her to see a speech therapist, we did not. I found that Kylee did it the most when she felt like she had a lot to say or was anxious to get the words out. I would just tell her to slow down and take her time. Two years later her speech is fine. At this stage in your childs life I don't think it is of concern, if he is still struggling with the stutter around five, I would look into seeing a specialist. Hope this helps!

My daughter did the same thing and it lasted about five months. I called the stuttering specialist at our local college and she said it is normal. I wish I could remember the few things she said are warning signs of a bigger problem but I can't remember. I know she said just to ignore it. She also said it will get better before it gets worse then it should stop just as suddenly as it started. I suggest speaking with a specialist. I just gave her a call so no appointment was needed. Let me know if you want the contact information for our specialist.

Hi C.,
My son also did this. He would get stuck on one or a few words in a sentance. We took him in to his ped. to get some advice. She said it was normal for his age but referred us to Speech and Language at U. of Michigan hospital. (I'm sure i'd have to fight for that where we live now!). The speech path. said everything at that time was normal at that point and would reevaluate if it continued in 6-9 months. We saw an improvement and didn't reevaluate. She did give us several handouts. Basically just be patient with him. When he comes up to you to tell you something stop what you are doing, turn and face him, and try to talk for him. That could frustrate him more. Just say encouraging things like It's ok honey, i'm listening. I know sometimes it can be frustrating for the parents/grandparents because you just want to help and say the words for him to get it over with. Just be patient. If you are still concerned talk to his doctor or the ISD in your area. Since he's 3 the speech pathologist at the ISD can evaluate and that is free. Hang in there:)

My doctor, who was seeing my baby, actually was surprised that our 3-almost-4 year old wasn't stuttering. She said that kids that age know so many more words and ideas than they can actually articulate, so stuttering is very common. I would assume that this gets worse when they're excited or nervous, since thinking gets harder at those times.

Since he doesn't do it all the time I would not worry. Just have him take a deep breath and and try again slowly. He will out grow most likely. My first child did it for a few years, but he was done before 2nd grade for sure. I don't remember how much before that.