Relationship queries answered

My child is five years old, and pauses a lot when he talks. I feel very upset because of this. What should I do? I have heard about stammering. Can you tell me what it is?
Vedhika

Stammering is a communication disorder in which the normal flow of speech is broken by repetitions, prolongations, or abnormal stoppages of sounds and syllables. Stammering usually starts before the age of five. If left unattended to, it peaks around the age of eight or 10. It can undermine a child’s confidence and self-esteem, affect their interaction with others and hamper their education.

You may notice your child
Is putting extra effort into saying his words

Has tense and jerky speech

Struggles to say a word, and even when he/she does, no sound comes out for several seconds

Stretching sounds in a word (“I want a sssstory”)

Repeating parts of words several times (“mu-mu-mu-mu-mummy”)

Stops what he is saying half way through his sentence.

Pausing, repeating words or sounds (“can, can, can I”, or “mu mu mu mummy”), stopping and starting again are the sorts of dysfluencies that occur when children are learning to talk. Many have episodes of obvious dysfluency during the years of very rapid language development (2-5 years) and at other times during childhood when there are extra pressures to speak well. A child who is slow in using sentences or in speaking clearly may be particularly sensitive to communication pressure.

When normal dysfluencies occur so often that they interfere with talking or cause distress to either the speaker or the listener, then stammering may develop.

If you have any concerns about your child’s speech, it is important to get advice as soon as possible. Early intervention by a speech and language therapist can prevent persistent stammering. You can take your child to a psychologist for an evaluation.