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Stuttering
When It Becomes a Problem By Kimberly Austin
If the problem has not resolved after 18 to 24 months, the child is more likely to have a chronic stuttering problem.
"Intervention is more successful the earlier it occurs, for preschooler or early school-age kids, before they've developed a lot of negative reactions," Kelly says.
Learning techniques to resolve stuttering takes between one to two months and then several more months to learn techniques for everyday situations. Re-evaluations and checkups are necessary steps in resolving stuttering.
Learning these techniques in a clinic is easier than learning them at home, according to Kelly. Even if treatment is sought in a clinic, Kelly recommends that the family get involved. "It's good to involve parents, siblings and peers so the child has an advocate outside the clinic."
"Children who are very shy already may refuse to talk or become very shy about it," Kelly says. "Kids who are more assertive or outgoing may just push the stuttering out no matter what and keep going."
Stuttering can also make school difficult. The child may be teased and taunted.
"Other children will imitate or call the child names," Kelly says. "It's an unusual enough problem that when a child is having a problem with fluency it will be recognized."
Once kids get into school, information is available to help teachers handle various situations, but stuttering becomes an extremely difficult problem as ateenager with dating and social interaction. If a parent discovers that their child has a stuttering problem, she should seek an evaluation the sooner the better.
"We like to see children early because we can give parents an idea if this is typical development or something to worry about," Kelly says.
