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Stuttering typically has its origins in childhood. Most children who stutter, begin to do so around 2 ½ years of age. Approximately 95% of children who stutter start to do so before the age of 5 years. Children who stutter may report fear or anxiety about speaking and frustration or embarrassment with the time and effort required to speak. 

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Frequency and severity of stuttering may fluctuate from day to day and in relation to the speaking situation. Stuttering is often more severe when there is increased pressure to communicate (e.g., competing for talk time, giving a report at school).

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What is Persistent Stuttering?

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Persistent stuttering does not resolve over time. It is not possible to determine with certainty which children will continue to stutter, as they grow older but there are some factors that indicate a greater likelihood of chronicity. Risk factors that may be associated with persistent stuttering include --

• Sex of child, as boys are at higher risk for persistence of stuttering than girls

• Family history of persistent stuttering

• Time duration since onset of greater than 6 to 12 months or no improvement over several months

• Age of onset-children who start stuttering at age 3½ or later

• Co-occurring speech and language impairment 

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Benefits of Early Intervention

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Of note, research shows that irregardless of risk factors, it is best to seek a Speech-Language Pathologist to support fluency with early intervention.

Early intervention is shown to be key in preventing persistent stuttering. The 'wait-and-see' approach has greater likelihood to result in persistent stuttering. 

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What does Fluency Intervention look like? 

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Andrea will be able to provide a central role in the screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of fluency disorders, including --

• Screening of communication when a fluency disorder is suspected and as part of a comprehensive speech-language evaluation;

• Understanding that awareness and concern about stuttering may vary across individuals and cultures and conducting a culturally and linguistically relevant comprehensive assessment of fluency and language;

• Developing culturally and linguistically relevant treatment plans focused on helping the child achieve fluent speech;

• Recommending related services when necessary for daily classroom management and treatment;

• Counseling individuals with fluency disorders and their families and providing education aimed at preventing further complications related to fluency disorders

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Contact Andrea Lau at Speech Vancouver if you have any concerns regarding your child's speech fluency.  

 

For more information on how Speech Vancouver can help, please phone 604 723 9589 or email: andrealau.slp@gmail.com