Many children can have a stammer and, according to the British Stammering Association, about 5% of kids will experience it when they start talking. Fortunately for most, they should grow out of it over time. However, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t struggling with it now or need your help to get through it. To help your child, it is important you have a good grasp on what stammering is:
What is stammering?
Stammering is when the speaker repeats the first letter of a word and struggles to get to the end of the word, or can find it difficult to get the whole word. But it's important you don't just put it down to those symptons. It’s not just about repeating letters or words over and over, for some sufferers, it can actually be a struggle to get the words out in the first place.
How it affects the speaker
Stammering can affect the speaker in a number of different ways. It can be tiring, especially as many kids try to do all they can to cover up the fact that they have a problem. Some children will simply avoid using a particular word and try to substitute it with another one, or even tense up in their effort to stop it. It can also be extremely frustrating trying to speak and the word just won’t come out properly. For kids especially, stammer can make them feel isolated, different from their peers and can sometimes lead to teasing or bullying.
How you can help
It is important you show your child that you are there for them and acknowledge that they do have a stammer. For some mums, the idea that it will simply go away means that it is often ignored and a child can struggle for a long time. Talk to your son or daughter's teacher to try to establish when it happens and in what situations. They are likely to have seen other children going through the same as your child. Support your little one and listen when they are speaking – don’t rush them to get the words out of their mouth. Don’t ask too many questions at once and slow your own speech down. A Speech and Language therapist will help your child improve the way they communicate and help them to boost their self esteem.
