It can be a frightening experience when caregivers realize that there is something different about their child’s speech. Parents and other caregivers want the best for their children, and when something does not appear to be “normal,” they often worry about what this will mean for their child’s future. When caregivers worry, they tend to envision the worst possible scenarios, rather than keeping a balance between bad outcomes (which are easy to foretell) and good outcomes (which we may be afraid to hope for). As with all things, children who stutter are likely to have both good and bad experiences because of stuttering. It’s important not to focus only on the bad things that may—or may not—happen.
One of the NSA’s primary missions is to help parents learn that stuttering does not have to have a negative effect on their child’s life. Importantly, we have found that worried parents often forget the most basic fact about childhood stuttering: help is available. There are many resources available for helping children learn to speak more easily, while at the same time helping them become more comfortable with their speech and more confident in their ability to communicate. Here are some basic facts to remember when you begin to feel worried about your child’s speech:
Most preschoolers do stop stuttering. Many young children exhibit stuttering in their speech when they are learning to talk, but not all of those children continue to stutter. In fact, research shows that most children who show signs of early stuttering will stop stuttering within the first year or so after they start. Even those who do continue stuttering can still learn to speak more easily and communicate more effectively.
Help is available. Stuttering specialists and other expert clinicians know quite a bit about how to help young children who stutter learn to speak more easily and develop healthy, appropriate attitudes toward their communication abilities. Of course, even the best speech therapists cannot guarantee that a child will stop stuttering. Still, we know that the vast majority of children can improve their ease of speaking, so that they can say what they want to say without being held back by stuttering.
Stuttering does not have to ruin your child’s life. Stuttering can have a significant impact on a child’s life, but it does not have to. Often, caregivers hear about “famous” people who have “overcome” their stuttering, and these stories can be inspirational. At the same time, it is important to remember that there are many, many more “everyday” people who have learned to handle stuttering effectively and who lead successful and happy lives. There are many ways that caregivers and speech-language pathologists can help children to ensure that stuttering does not become a major problem in their lives.
You are not alone. Many times, parents and other caregivers of children who stutter feel that there is nobody who really understands what they are going through. This can lead to a feeling of isolation that further contributes to anxiety and fear about the future. That is why the NSA has an active and growing support network for parents of children who stutter. Through the NSA, caregivers can meet and talk with others who have shared the same experiences. This not only provides opportunities to learn about how other people have dealt with their children’s stuttering; it also provides comfort that comes from learning about a wide range of positive outcomes for young children who stutter.
Of course, soothing words alone will not help caregivers overcome their concerns about a child’s speech. The Stuttering Info section on this website contains key facts about stuttering and stuttering therapy that can help caregivers make informed decisions about the best course of action for their child.
For more information, see Early Childhood Stuttering: Information and Support for Parents and Other Caregivers.
Comments