Childhood Stuttering, Tips for Parents and Teachers

Written By:  Elissa Murnick M.S. CCC-SLP Certified Speech Language Pathologist, Director Murnick Speech & Language Associates

Stuttering is a relatively rare speech disorder, affecting more boys than girls. Many agree that stuttering is caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, motor programming, emotional, and environmental. The speech of the stuttering child contains tension associated with the moment of stuttering.

THE COMMON TYPES OF DYSFLUENCIES

· Single Word Repetition - Repeating a single word in a sentence. (I-I-I-I-I-I   like that picture)

· Phrase Repetition - Repeating a phrase within a sentence. (I like-I like-I-like that picture)

· Syllable Repetition - Repeating a syllable within a word in a sentence. (I want to play with the ba-ba-baby)

 Blocking - Trying to get a syllable or sound out, but getting stuck, making no noise. (I want to eat pop (silence) corn.)

· Prolongation - Holding the first sound of a word or syllable, with difficulty moving to the next sound. (I want to eat ice-  cream.)

Below is a list of symptoms a child with a fluency disorder may or may not have when speaking.

 PARENT CHECKLIST FOR FLUENCY

· Repeats whole words “why, why, why, why”

· Repeats parts of words

· Repeats sounds “w-w-w-w-hy”

· Prolongs or holds onto a sound “w-----------hy”

· Blocks -sounds and airflow are shut off

 For more symptoms of fluency, visit childhood stuttering on my website.

The best way to help a child who stutters is to work closely with his/her Speech Language Pathologist. In therapy the child will be taught strategies to pull out of a stuttering situation, avoid a stuttering situation and correct a stuttering situation. If these strategies are reinforced at home and school, then the child will usually begin to use them independently.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS OF A CHILD WHO STUTTERS

·  Don’t finish his/her sentences. Children who stutter know what they want to say and generally don’t like it when their sentences are completed for them. It elevates their stress levels, possibly increasing instances of stuttering.

· Wait patiently for a child to finish. Don’t rush a child who stutters. Provide adequate wait time for him/her to complete the thought.

· Watch your body language. Children are very aware of your non-verbal reactions to their speech. Keep your face neutral, with an unchanged expression when the child stutters.

· Educate others about the child’s disorder. Children in the class will be curious about the child’s speech. Sometimes they will tease the child about his/her speech. If you teach them about the disorder in a fun, educational way, this may alleviate some of the discomfort.

·Keep an open door. Allow the child to come to you at any time to talk about school, family, or any other issues he/she  might have.

For more suggestions for parents of a child who stutters, visit childhood stuttering on my website.

Visit the Stuttering Foundation website www.stutteringhelp.org for suggestions and helpful resources

There are several IPad applications available for help with stuttering. Please visit  childhood stuttering on my website to view them.

Many teachers of children who stutter request suggestions on how to best and appropriately handle the situation. Below are a list of tips that parents can pass on to their child’s classroom teacher.

CLASSROOM SUGGESTIONS FOR CHILDREN WHO STUTTER

· If reading aloud or another verbal turn taking exercise is planned, call on the child first to decrease anticipation.  Consider how the speed or tempo of the exercise may impact fluency.

· Phrase questions to only require a yes/no answer or short phrase until ready for more complex answers.  This allows the child to experience success speaking and at the same time have her knowledge tested.

· Whenever possible, call on her when his/her hand is raised.  This usually indicates he/she is comfortable speaking at that moment.   New speaking successes build future confidence.

· Be conscious of your facial expressions and nonverbal feedback when a child stutters.  Do your best to maintain comfortable facial expressions and relaxed “body language” while the child is speaking to you.  Unconditional listening is ideal.  Modeling of slow, relaxed speech can be helpful.

For more classroom tips for teachers of children who stutter, visit childhood stuttering on my website.

Elissa Murnick is a licensed, certified Speech Language Pathologist and the owner of Murnick Speech & Language Associates in Fairfield, CT. She has worked for almost 15 years with children of all ages with a wide range of speech and language disorders in a public and private school setting as well as private practice. For more information about scheduling an evaluation visit Murnick Speech & Language Associates on the web at www.murnickspeechandlanguage.com

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