Blog Posts

If you’ve found your way to this post, chances are you know a kid whose speech is… a little bumpy. You may be thinking, “But everyone has trouble getting their words out sometimes. Also, I hear that some kids go through a period of stuttering and grow out of it.” Those are valid observations; let’s unpack this a little more. Disfluency DOES exist, like many aspects of life, on a spectrum and is variable even within an individual depending on their speaking situation/competing demands/emotional context. Whether I’m at home talking to my cat versus giving a speech in front of a large audience knowing my pants are slowly sliding down will greatly impact many things about my speech including how fluent I am. But while there does exist a ‘typical’ range of disfluency and while indeed many children who go through a period of stuttering at an early age will emerge as typically fluent speakers, this is not the case for every child. 

My goal with this post is to provide parents and caregivers with enough information to feel like they can make an informed decision on if their child’s stuttering is worth seeking a professional’s opinion. 

1. What is stuttering?

Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by disruption in the fluent forward flow of speech. 

2. What does that look like?

Core behaviors include

Repetitions of phrases, words, or parts of words: “I want- I want- I want to go!” “We- we are coming over to your house!” “Bu- bu- bu- but I really want it!”

Prolongations of individual sounds: “Mmmmom, can I color?”

Blocks:  “Do you want to see my (airflow is blocked or stopped for a short time often with articulators in place ready to say the next sound) new bike?”

3. How likely is it that a child who has some instance of stuttering will deal with it throughout his life? 

Approximately 5% of children experience a period of stuttering lasting longer than 6 months (National Stuttering Association). The majority of those children will regain typical fluency by late childhood without speech therapy. However, 25 percent of those children will not grow out of stuttering. It will be a lifelong part of their communication.

4. When should I be concerned that this might not go away on its own? 

There are some known factors that increase the odds that a child who stutters will not “grow out of it”:

• *Family history of stuttering*

• Age of stuttering onset (onset before 3 years old predicts a much better chance of outgrowing disfluency within a period of 6 months)

• Time since onset (elevated risk if child has stuttered for 6-12 months or longer)

• Male / Assigned male at birth

• Presence of other speech or language concerns (also, alternatively, highly advanced language)

Signs that stuttering has progressed past easy bumps into something more concerning:

• Tension when stuttering (instead of easy bounces that the child doesn’t seem to notice or mind, rate of speech is faster, tighter)

• Awareness and negative feelings of speaking on the part of the child

• Presence of secondary behaviors (unconsciously learned physical movements in response to stutters, e.g. eye blink, head turn, facial grimace)

• Learned physical reactions (e.g. eye blinks, head turn,to the stutter on the part of the child)

While deciding whether to take action about a child who stutters can be confusing and at times intimidating, I hope this post provided you with information that can help you in your search for answers about your child’s needs. If after reading this information you feel that you have remaining questions or want to talk to a professional, send me an email at hope@sunrisespeechandlanguage.com or a call at 208.219.7695 and I would be happy to talk about your specific situation and answer any questions you have. 

With wishes for confident communication for all,

Hope Keenan

M.A. CCC-SLP

Medina, A., & Margulis, C. (2023, August 9). What is Stuttering?: Explanation & Overview on Stuttering. National Stuttering Association. https://westutter.org/what-is-stuttering/ 

Yairi, E., & Ambrose, N. (n.d.). The Stuttering Foundation. Stuttering Foundation: A Nonprofit Organization Helping Those Who Stutter. https://www.stutteringhelp.org/ 

As parents, we naturally want to see our children thrive, especially when it comes to their communication skills. One area that can sometimes raise concerns is a condition called Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). If you’re navigating this journey, know that you’re not alone, and understanding CAS can be the first step toward helping your child communicate more effectively.

What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?

Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder that affects the brain's ability to coordinate the movements needed for speech. Unlike other speech disorders, where a child may have difficulty due to muscle weakness or a hard time pronouncing specific speech sounds, children with CAS know what they want to say but struggle to get the words out smoothly and clearly. This can lead to frustration for both the child and their caregivers, but with the right support, progress is very much achievable.

Signs to Look For

Every child develops at their own pace, but some common signs of CAS might include:

• Limited speech sounds or extreme difficulty pronouncing words

• Inconsistent speech errors, meaning a child may say the same word differently each time

• Difficulty transitioning between sounds or syllables

• Distorted vowel sounds

• Challenges with longer words or phrases

• A tendency to speak less or avoid speaking altogether

If you notice these signs in your child, it’s a good idea to consult a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for a comprehensive evaluation.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Early intervention is key to addressing CAS. The sooner your child receives support, the better their chances for successful communication. A qualified SLP can create a tailored therapy plan that suits your child's unique needs. 

Encouragement and Support

As a parent, it's natural to feel anxious about your child's speech development. Remember, every child progresses at their own pace. Celebrate the small victories along the way, whether it's a new sound or a word that they can finally pronounce. Your encouragement is invaluable!

Creating a supportive environment at home can also help. Engage in activities that promote speech, such as reading together, singing songs, and playing games that involve verbal communication. These moments can make practice joyful and provide natural opportunities for practice.

Building a Bright Future

With patience, understanding, and the right resources, children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech can make significant strides in their communication skills. Your dedication as a parent plays a crucial role in this journey.

If you suspect that your child may have CAS, please reach out. Together, we can create a path toward clearer communication and greater confidence for your child. Remember, progress may take time, but each step forward is a reason to celebrate.

Navigating the world of Childhood Apraxia of Speech may feel daunting, but with love and support, you can help your child find their voice. You’re doing an amazing job just by seeking information and understanding. Keep the lines of communication open—both with your child and with professionals. Together, we can build a strong foundation for their speech and language development.

Seeing your child start to communicate is one of the most amazing parts of early development, and getting to know the details of speech and language growth can make all the difference for you and your child. As kids move through important communication milestones, from making their first sounds to creating complex sentences in preschool, they’re setting the stage for lifelong learning. By understanding what affects speech and language skills, you can help support your child's communication and tackle any challenges head-on. This guide will dive into common speech and language issues, highlighting how early help can create an uplifting environment for your child. Let’s explore the exciting world of language development together and find awesome ways to help your child shine!

Getting to Know Communication Milestones

Communication milestones are key checkpoints in your child’s growth. They show us how your child's skills in understanding and using language are progressing. So, let’s break down the main stages of speech development and what impacts language learning.

Key Stages of Speech Development

The journey of learning to talk is fascinating and happens over years. Every stage builds on the last, laying the groundwork for more advanced communication skills.

In those first few months, babies start with sweet coos and gurgles. By 6 months, they’re usually babbling, trying out fun sounds like "da" and "baba". Around their first birthday, many say their first real word.

Between 18 months and 2 years, there’s a vocabulary boom, and kids start putting words together in simple phrases. By age 3, most children are chatting in short sentences and having basic conversations. Speech sound development or "learning to say their sounds right" keeps going into early childhood, with most sounds in place by age 6.

As children move from age 6 to 10, their language skills become more sophisticated, with noticeable growth in complexity and nuance. During these years, kids start to master the art of storytelling, developing narratives with a beginning, middle, and end. They become adept at conveying detailed stories, complete with characters, settings, initiating events, and emotions, reflecting their budding ability to organize thoughts and ideas coherently and sequentially. This stage of language development also includes understanding more complex grammar and vocabulary, as well as refining their ability to adjust their speech according to different contexts and audiences (code switching). Through this period, children learn to express themselves with greater clarity, precision, and effectiveness.

• 0-12 Months: Babies react to noises and begin to understand simple words like "mama" and "baba." They start to babble and try out different sounds.

• 12-24 Months: Vocabulary takes off as kids learn new words daily and begin to make simple phrases.

• 2-3 Years: They start using simple sentences and can follow two-step directions. They get basic ideas like "in" and "on."

• 3-4 Years: Vocabulary grows fast. Kids form more complex sentences and start telling simple stories.

• 4-5 Years: Most kids can have conversations using more complex sentences and understand "today," "tomorrow," and "yesterday."

When Communication Doesn't Develop As Expected

When it comes to speech and language development, each child has their own unique journey. Sometimes, that journey includes challenges, and identifying specific concerns early can be crucial. Let's explore some red flags that might indicate a need for further assessment and support regarding your child's ability to communicate.

Difficulty in Understanding Language

If a child doesn't seem to "quite get it" when trying to follow gesture-free verbal directions or interaction, this might be a sign of a comprehension issue.

Limited Vocabulary

By the age of 2, if your child uses fewer than 50 words or hasn't started combining words (like “more juice”), it could indicate a delay.

Struggling with Pronunciation

If a 3-year-old is hard to understand, even by family members, or consistently omits starting sounds from words (e.g., saying "og" for "dog"), it will likely require attention.

Stuttering that lasts longer than 6 months

If a child repeats sounds/words multiple times (such as "b-b-b-ball" or "I-I-I-didn't want to!") or stretches out a sound in a word (such as "I llllllllllike it!"), these could be indicators of stuttering. While a good number of young children will pass through a transient period of stuttering, for some stuttering will be a lifelong fact.

Limited Eye Contact or Socially Appropriate Interaction

If a child rarely makes eye contact during interactions, doesn't catch social subtleties that same age playmates can, or doesn't engage in pretend play by age 3, it might be a sign of challenges related to social communication.

Signs of Apraxia

If a child over the age of 4 has words that shift from usage to usage (like "green" could be "gun" "gunuh" "gen") or shows distortion of vowels, it may suggest a concern like apraxia.

Remember, early intervention can make a world of difference. If you notice any of these signs, reaching out to a speech-language pathologist can provide guidance and support. You're not alone on this journey, and there are many resources available to help your child reach their communication potential. Together, let's equip our wonderful kids to express themselves fully and confidently!

Supporting your child through their speech and language journey is key. Here are a few strategies to encourage healthy communication habits:

• Check your pace of speech: When you stop and notice how quickly you speak to your child, how does it compare to the rate of speech your child has? Slightly slowing your pace of speech, or using pauses in your speech at natural times can greatly help your child process and understand what you're saying. Additionally, it sets the bar for what is expected from them! In a fast talking house, a child typically feels compelled to meet that rate. *Extra credit for waiting three seconds after asking a question to your child (slowly count to three in your head) to avoid bundling questions together and to show that when you ask a question you genuinely are expecting them to answer- that you treat them with the respect of a full communication partner.

• Follow your child's lead: Follow your child's lead during conversations and play. Let them guide the interaction and show interest in what captures their attention. Doing this capitalizes on your child's focused attention to provide language input.

• Read together: Reading books aloud to your child can greatly enhance their language skills. Choose age-appropriate stories and engage them by asking questions and discussing the story. Simpler questions could be "where" or "who" questions. "Who jumped on the roof?" moving to more complex questions as they are able to understand and answer "what do you think she's feeling?" "Uh oh, what do you think might happen?". After answering questions, engage them about their answer even if briefly. You don't want to make story time feel like a quiz!

• Check your complexity of language: You know how if you go to the library there are books with like 3 words per page and there are beginner chapter books? That speaks to the complexity of language children understand as they age. For a younger friend, I might use "It's broken! It can't go." Let's dig out some English development- simple sentences contain a subject, a verb, and sometimes an object. She swung the bat. We ate cupcakes. Then we start sprinkling in descriptive words such as color, number, or sensation words: "squishy" "three" and "green" are all adjectives. Adding more detail might mean including a prepositional phrase (in the box/around the town/under the book/with my friends) or combining simple sentences to make a compound sentence (join them together with AND BUT OR SO), "I ate (with my hands) SO I had to go wash".

• Celebrate successes: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements in their communication development, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can make a world of difference in their confidence and motivation!

By integrating these practices into your daily routine, you can create a nurturing environment that fosters your child’s speech and language development, paving the way for their confident self-expression.