Stuttering is a speech disorder when the natural flow of speech is disturbed.
Stuttering is prevalent between the ages of two and five as youngsters learn to combine sounds and words to make thoughts and phrases. So, in this situation, you do not need to be concerned. However, the specific cause of stuttering is still uncertain.
Stuttering can be characterized by:
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words
- Prolonged sounds
- Speech interruptions, often known as blocks
It is crucial to note that stuttering varies greatly in nature and frequency across children, even within the same child. And there is no cure for stuttering. However, early therapy may prevent stuttering from continuing into adulthood.
Now, let us discuss broadly why your toddler suddenly starts stuttering.
Why Has My Toddler Just Started Stuttering?
Stuttering is common among toddlers, and there is usually no need to worry about it. Stuttering can be categorized into three main categories: developmental, neurogenic, and psychogenic.
The main reason for your toddler stuttering can be developmental. This time, they go through a lot of changes and need to adapt to critical things. Stuttering can be normal, and there is no cure, honestly.
However, we will discuss how to treat this issue later. First, let’s examine the common reasons why your toddler just started stuttering.
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Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A brain injury or TBI might influence your toddler’s neurological system. It causes signal issues between the brain neurons and the muscles involved in speaking. This resulted in stuttering, language development, and other speech issues.
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Significant Emotional Stress
Stress does not cause stuttering, but it can exacerbate it. Emotional pressures such as major life changes, family disturbances, or traumatic events might impact a toddler’s linguistic ability.
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During Periods Of Rapid Development
During moments of rapid language development, toddlers may experience momentary stuttering. This is the most prevalent type of stuttering among children. Also, this is because they try to stay up with their expanding vocabulary and sentence structures.
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Effect Of Certain Medications Or Substances
Some medications or substances can affect the central nervous system. This can impact the toddler’s stuttering behavior.
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Metabolic Disorders
Certain metabolic disorders or medical conditions can affect a child’s neurological function and speech development, which can be another reason for stuttering.
Stuttering is a speech disorder when the natural flow of speech is disturbed.
Stuttering is prevalent between the ages of two and five as youngsters learn to combine sounds and words to make thoughts and phrases. So, in this situation, you do not need to be concerned. However, the specific cause of stuttering is still uncertain.
Stuttering can be characterized by:
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words
- Prolonged sounds
- Speech interruptions, often known as blocks
It is crucial to note that stuttering varies greatly in nature and frequency across children, even within the same child. And there is no cure for stuttering. However, early therapy may prevent stuttering from continuing into adulthood.
Now, let us discuss broadly why your toddler suddenly starts stuttering.
Is Sudden Stuttering In Toddlers Normal?
Sudden stuttering in toddlers is normal. It can happen your kid was speaking normally and suddenly started stuttering. Approximately 5% of children acquire disfluency, often between ages 2 ½ and 5.
There are some situations where sudden stuttering is normal,
- Stutter suddenly appears but before age four or five.
- Speaking disfluency symptoms last fewer than six months.
- Speaking abnormalities does not cause any stress or frustration for your kid.
- There is no family history of stuttering.
- There is no other physical activity while stuttering. Common secondary stuttering behaviors can be eye-blinking, head nodding, foot tapping, body movements, raised voice pitch, or avoidance of words.
What Causes Sudden Stuttering?
There are several reasons why your toddler may start stuttering. A toddler who didn’t stutter before could develop it overnight.
If you have any family history, you can predict if your child is likely to stutter or not.
Gender is another factor in your toddler starts sudden stuttering. Male toddlers are twice as likely as young girls to stutter. Boys in elementary school are three to four times more prone to stutter than girls.
If you shift from one country to another, it can create some confusion of language in your child.
In case you and your partner are bilingual or belong to two different countries, then avoid mixing vocabulary. However, there is no evidence bilinguals can cause stuttering. Still, if you use mixed words, then your kid may get confused.
Some children who stutter process language in distinct areas of their brains than others who do not.
Existing speech or cognitive disorders raise the likelihood that a kid may mumble.
How Do You Fix Stuttering In Toddlers?
Stuttering in toddlers often resolves on its own. However, it will be better if parents and caregivers support the child’s speech fluency. So the situation does not get worse.
Try to have a healthy communication habit with your kid. But your approach should never be telling your kid to speak properly.
However, we advise you to consult with a speech-language pathologist or pediatrician if stuttering worsens over time. They can provide proper strategies to address your toddler’s specific needs and promote healthy speech fluency. Always try to have a strong bond with your child by possessing some regular habits.
1. Use A Calm And Slow Pace When Speaking With Your Child
You need to be very calm and relaxed when talking with your kid. You can follow an unhurried speech pattern. Use short sentences that need short answers. By doing this, the toddlers will not feel rushed and answer properly.
2. Show Your Child That You Are Interested In What They Are Saying
Always try to talk as if you are interested in the conversation. Have eye contact and express how excited you are talking to your child. Actively listen to them and encourage open communication. By this, your toddler will not get pressured and anxious which may reduce stuttering.
3. Speak Slowly And Clearly
When speaking to your toddler, try to speak slowly and clearly. Your baby should be able to understand all your words correctly. Use simple, age-appropriate language. Also, articulating sounds can make it easier for your child to mimic your speech patterns.
4. Encourage Turn-Taking In Conversations
Apply supportive and interactive storytelling or conversation for early childhood development with your toddler. Take turns while speaking. Give your kids enough time so they can express themselves. In the meantime, be patient for their response. Do not interrupt them. Let them finish before you start speaking.
5. Praise And Focus On Content
The best strategy you can apply is praising your child. Ensure a positive reinforcement for them. Praise their effort regardless of fluency.
You can help your child become relax before talking. Adore and love them so they feel comfortable.
Also, focus on the content of their conversation. You can celebrate if they can properly talk. This will gradually boost their confidence level. Slowly but surely, they will overcome their stuttering issue.
Can A Child Develop A Stutter Later In Life?
Yes, children may acquire a speech disorder later in life, but this is quite uncommon. There are two types of stuttering a child can develop in adulthood: acquired and persistent stuttering.
Acquired stuttering also known as late-onset stuttering. It can affect older children and adults. But this kind of stuttering can also affect people of all ages. It is more likely to occur when you have an injury or condition that damages certain sections of your brain.
In contrast, persistent stuttering is always an adult condition that originates in childhood. This is developmental stuttering, which persists until adulthood.
Childhood stuttering affects 1% to 2.4% of children. Persistent stuttering affects between 0.3% and 1% of adults. There is little research on how commonly acquired stuttering occurs.
Conclusion
Toddlers aged between 2 to 5 years old can suddenly start stuttering. If you do not have any family stuttering history, your toddler age is not more than 5, or there was no head injury ever, you do not need to be worried.
However, stuttering can sometimes develop in adulthood, too. However, there is no evidence as to why stuttering can occur. If you diagnose stuttering in your kid and that does not resolve after age 4 or five, then consult a pediatrician.
Before that, you can use some ways in your home to help your kid. Try to be patient while talking to your toddler, and let them finish their conversation.
