My 2.5 Yr Old Has Started Stuttering

I think it is totally normal for this age. My son did it, and even now, at 5, if he is talking to fast or his mind is working faster than his mouth, he will stutter. I just remind him to slow down and think about what he is trying to say.

REally - don't worry - HE DOES have a lot to say and needs to slow down a little - Also I noticed my grandson stuttering at that age - because it seemed what he had to say was important for him to - and he was afraid to be interrupted.

J.,
Funny you mentioned this! I just noticed the same thing in my 2 year old daughter and she is quite chatty. I had forgotten to mention it to our Parents as Teachers teacher last week (we are part of the free playgroups and visits) but in looking through the paperwork she left for "age appropriate developments" it says that between 2 and 3 a child may begin stuttering, that it's totally normal, and this usually resolves on it's own and is nothing to worry about at this age.

Hope that helps!

Don't ever let any one tell you not to worry...that is our job! There is always the possibility that it could turn into something, but chances are it won't. This is very common in children this age and for some reason especially boys. Our little guy did this too between 2 1/2-3 and I "knew" it was normal (I have a speech degree) but I went ahead and asked another professional to make myself feel better and she too agreed that it was probably nothing, but to keep up with it. We would just let him work through it some of the time unless he got frustrated and then we would calmly tell him to take a breath and slow down a bit. Hope this helps and that your little guy works through it quickly too!

Yes, my kiddo did this and there WAS a problem. Because we caught it early, she is fine now. Most kids will go through this and will outgrow it, but it can't hurt to get it checked out. You can call Parents as Teachers for an evaluation.

I'm sure everything will be fine, but put to help put yourself at ease, look into it. Keep us posted!

My daughter did the same thing - right around the same age. She grew out of it.

Every parent is concerned when their child starts to stutter, but most of them do stop on their own. I'd say take a "wait and see approach." While you know your child best this doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary. You may mention the stuttering to your pediatrician the next time you speak with them (to put your mind at ease), but unless it becomes so bad that you can't understand your son try to relax. This really is a stage that they grow out of in their own time.

All three of my kids stuttered for a few weeks at about that age. My son is almost three and he still does it sometimes, but not like he was. Your son will most likely grow out of it, too. Not to worry.

My 20 something daughter was the talker in our family, mornings seemed to be the worst. I remember saying several times "go talk to your dad" :) I also remember that she went through the stage of sounding like she stuttered, it never bothered me because I attributed it to the fact that she didn't want to give up the conversational ball and used this to keep her place in the conversation. I also remember one of my other kids saying aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, until they knew what they were going to say, I always felt that it was because they weren't finished with their conversation and they were just thinking of what they were saying next. I'd say don't worry about it yet.

I suggest having an evaluation with a speech pathologist. You're within the window to get free in-home services (it only goes until 3 years old). Usually, just a phase...but getting free help at your convenience now would be nice. It's a federally mandated program, in Georgia it was called "babies can't wait".

J.,
I agree that it is normal; however, if you are concerned,it can't hurt to check with a speech pathologist. By law (PL-942 I think it is called), you should be able to get a screening and services provided for free (the law covers children ages 0=21).
My eldest stuttered around that age and then once he could process his thoughts faster, it disappeared all together. One of my other sons received speech therapy (for three years); however, it was because he went from speaking 10-12 words to being unable to talk at all. Now, he is five and tested out of speech therapy and is busy talking our ears off each day!
Good luck! Just wanted to let you know that the services are required everywhere in the US free of charge! Have a great day!
K.

Hi J.,

Each child is different. My nephew had this problem when he was young-he's now 14 and doesn't stutter at all!! My husband was a stutterer when he was young... and still is.
It could be a phase your son is going through...maybe not.

The important thing here is, not to make a big deal of it. Monitor him and when he starts, slow him down and have him say it again. It could be he's getting ahead of himself, and if it continues, have him checked out.

I, too, was a horrible stutterer when I was young. My mom put me in speech classes which helped tremendously! I still stutter on occasion. The things that set mine off are trying to say things too quickly, when I'm tired and when I'm nervous.

The best thing you can do is not criticize him for it. That was my problem when I was young. So now, when I do stutter, I still get a bit embarassed.

Be supportive and help him through this. You are doing a great job! Your son is fortunate to have a mom like you!!

God bless, ls

I understand your concern my daughter did the same thing around that age and I was so worried that I had her evaluated by a speech therapist, who told me that it was completly normal and that it would pass as she got a little older and it did with time it totally went away she is almost 5 now and has no problems with speech at all. I would say its most likely a phase but keep an eye on it as mommy you know your child better than anyone, if its still a concern later down the road I would speak to your childs Dr.

Our 3 yo does the same thing, I wouldn't worry. He seems to do it when he's really exicted to tell us something and just can't get it out fast enough, so he ends up stuttering because his mind is working faster than his little brain.

My 2.5 daughter has been a late talker and is in speech therapy and she started to stutter when she was excited and trying to say to much at once and everybody has said that this is normal for this age. If he keeps it up I'd say by the time he's closer to 3 then I'd worry.

The people who told you he just has more to say than his little mouth can keep up with are 100% right.
Don't worry ! It's normal.
To help him with his frustration, you might just talk to him in a calm reassuring way and say something like "OK, I can see you are so excited ! (big grin here to reassure him you are excited to hear what he has to say) I'm listening, so calm down, take a breath, and tell me what it is. " After each sentence you might repeat back to him what he just said to you so he knows you are listening and he doesn't have to hurry through it all to keep your attention.

I would get the testing done... sometimes it's a normal thing that kids go through where they can't process their thoughts fast enough to find the word they're looking for. I have a 5 year old that started stuttering a year or more back and she got tested and it's not a issue for her and they said it's common but she does more of a uhhhh uhhhh till she finds the words she's looking for. It's better safe than sorry though and get the testing done. Our school district provides the testing free of charge and not just till age 3. I guess it depends where you live. You might check with your childs Dr and/or the local school system to find out what is available in your area.

Good luck!

L.

My son also did this when he was around 4 years old. He went through some speech therapy at school during Kindergarten and will continue this year as well. His speech is also a little immature as well, so the stuttering didn't surprise me completely. I also stutered as a young child. For him, it was certain sounds at a beginning of a sentance that would trigger his problem and he would struggle getting the words out clear. Some words like "I", "You" and words the long "a and e" sound. for him it was certain movements of the mouth. Pay attention shat triggers your son's, certain words with common sounds or mouth movements and such. Try to get him to slow down.

I would never say, don't worry. I would say pay attention as this could be something that needs to be addressed. First I would tell your child to stop, take a breath, slow down and try again. Especailly if your son is really stuck on a word, or repeated words in a sentence. Our speech therapist called it "bumppy speech" and the words she got stuck on were "bumps". It was cute and my daughter caught on real quick what she was doing once she had a name to go along with her stuttering. The second thing I would do is contact the school district and have him evaluated as soon as he turns 3. You can even call right before to set the appointment as they could be really busy. I have been waiting now for my son's 2nd test for a few months due to school being out. He will be allowed to go to an Early Special Ed school if he qualifies. My daughter (different district when she was 3) had a therapist come to the daycare. The Dial 3(the first test he will take) is awsome annd the kids like taking it. Really easy test, more like an evaluation. My son was a hoot...he really liked showing off his skills. Just mark on your calendar to call the school district when your son turns 3, and pay attention to his consistancies and remind him to slow down. Catching and working with stuttering early is the best! After 3 1/2 yrs of therapy my daughter doesn't stutter anymore. She will pause from time to time, but no one can tell she ever had a problem with her speech. I was glad I got her in early. Good Luck to you!

Our son did the same thing! And it did resolve on it's own in a matter of a month or 2. To help him, we would give him our full attention (eye contact) and tell him with a smile "slow down, use your words, I'm listening".

If it doesn't resolve on it's own, and if you live in Johnson County, you can contact Infant Toddler services:
http://itsjc.org/index.html

They did an evaluation for us when he was younger because we were concerned about his speech development. Turns out we just didn't know how to listen!! :) But they were GREAT! Our thought is, we would rather help him overcome challenges before school... so now's the time!

Good job being concerned Mama!

I have 3 children and they all went through this stage. They will grow out of it. It is just like you said his mind is working faster than his mouth. If your still concerned call your doctor that is what they are there for.

Good Morning J., Just have him slow down a little bit when he is talking. They get in such a hurry at times to get all the words out it can cause them to trip over some words. I stuttered for a bit when young and my mom had me slow down, I did the same with our son's.

Just ask him to repeat what he said just a little slower. Or say Slow down Baby, Mama's ears can't keep up with you..lol
He will eventually stop soon. Don't draw attention to it though, might make him feel bad.

Be Blessed with a Wonderful weekend
K. Nana of 5

My 2.5 year old daughter is a big talker too, always has been, and has never had any problems. However, sometimes I do have to tell her to "slow down" or "use your words" because she's just going too fast, slurring words, or stuttering. Making her slow down works. Also, sometimes she hears someone else talking a certain way and mimics it. For instance, we had a playdate with a 1.5 year old recently, since then she's been talking like the 1.5 year old.

I wouldn't worry about it too much for now. If it continues bring it up to your pediatrician.