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Disorders of Fluency in Children (Stammering)
The following information is supplied by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Stammering (or stuttering) may affect speech in the following ways:
Repetitions of syllables, sounds, words or phrases
Silent pauses,
called ‘blocks’
Physical struggles to speak
Unusual breathing
sounds
Lengthening speech sounds
Avoidance of some words and situations
How to help
Do
• look and listen carefully: concentrate on what your child is saying
rather than how they are saying it
• slow down your own rate of talking and ensure that you use a level of
language that your child understands
• remain calm when you are speaking
• try to have a regular routine at home and school, and discuss future
events so that your child is prepared for them
• give your child regular periods of uninterrupted time with you so
that they don’t feel that they are always left out in conversation
• talk about your child’s speech with them if they want to
• avoid giving the impression that dysfluency is wrong and shameful
• listen with interest, and encourage a relaxed atmosphere whenever
possible
• ask a registered speech and language therapist for advice
Don't
• draw attention to your child’s stammer
• finish of sentences for them
• mimic them
• interrupt them
• speak for them
• insist on making them speak when they do not want to
• hurry them along
• tell them to start all over again
• try to bribe them to speak differently, or punish incorrect speech
• lose eye contact - this can be a sign of boredom or impatience
• talk about their problem in front of them
• compare them with other children
Support Organisations:
Royal College of Speech and Language
Therapists
Afasic
British Dyslexia Association
Dyspraxia Trust
Other articles supplied by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Delayed Language
Voice Problems in Children
What is the Royal College of Speech and
Language Therapists?