How do I know if my child needs help?Everyone has normal disfluencies. These include:
* repeating whole words twice without tension * thinking "ums" * repeating a phrase more than once without tension * restarting a thought or changing your mind If these are the only behaviors you are hearing in your child, they may be going through a period of normal disfluency which may resolve without treatment (which is the case for ~65-80% of children who stutter). |
What are risk factors for stuttering?Risk factors include:
* gender (more boys stutter than girls) * family history of persistent stuttering * stuttering for more than 6 months without a drop in severity * having other speech or language difficulties * child's negative awareness and reaction to their stuttering |
Contact VST if . . .* You want tools to help manage your stuttering
* You are concerned about your child's speech and wonder if therapy is appropriate * Your child is reacting negatively to their speech * The stuttering has continued for at least 6 months * The stuttering has changed from easy repetitions to more prolongations or blocks with more noticeable tension * Your child has some of the stuttering behaviors listed below |
Stuttering Behaviors

* More than 2 whole-word repetitions (I-I-I)
* Part-word repetitions (ba-baby, b-b-baby)
* Prolongations (mooommy, mmmmommy)
* Blocks (trying to speak, but no sound comes out)
* Body movements or visible frustration/tension
* Changing a word when stuck
* Avoiding certain sounds/situations
* Part-word repetitions (ba-baby, b-b-baby)
* Prolongations (mooommy, mmmmommy)
* Blocks (trying to speak, but no sound comes out)
* Body movements or visible frustration/tension
* Changing a word when stuck
* Avoiding certain sounds/situations