Question- calling all mothers!!!!!

[Heather A.]

I have a question for all of you nurses and mothers out there.

I wasn't sure what area to post this question in, so I just decided to post it in the general forum.

I have a beautiful 2 1/2 year old son whom I am concerned about. He began talking at a very early age, and quickly developed a very expanded vocabulary. Then, about 3 months ago, he started stuttering. Not bad, just some. Usually the first word/ syllable in a sentence. Then he started to get a little bit better (Ex. :instead of saying P-P-P-P-Please, he started saying

Pleeeeeeease) Now, he has begun stuttering badly again. So much so that he sometimes repeats the first word about 15 times and even a few other words or sounds midway through his sentences. He sometimes gets so tired trying to say something that he just stops speaking. This is breaking my heart!!!!

Is this normal behavior? Have any of you experienced this with your own children? If so, what should I do to help him and should I consult his doctor with this or wait awhile? How do I know if this is serious or not?

Thanks for your help- I'm sorry the post was so lengthy.

Heather

[rncountry]

My oldest child is very bright, he spoke full complete sentences by 18 months. About age 3 he had times he would stutter, it was frustrating for him, but usually if I told him to slow down a bit it would help. I agree it was a process of his brain being able to go faster than his mouth. Though eventually he overcame that issue and there were times I thought he talked so much he must be breathing out of his ears! The stuttering phase lasted until he was about 5. I would say though, that if you are very concerned it is worth getting it checked out, if nothing else to put your mind at ease.

[pepsihla]

Don't be worried, my son at that age did the same thing, he grew out of it. But, I would at least bring him in to your PCP and still have him assessed.

[Loubell RN 2B]

My son is 3 1/2 almost 4 and he went through the same thing. Sometimes he still does it off and on. He would try to tell me something and it seemed as though he could not spit it out, sometimes repeating it 10 or so times. It has gotten better and I was told not to worry but just to be tabs on it. He just tries to talk so fast and get it out all at once, he would just stumble over a word.

Do not worry too much (easier said than done, I know) but do go and have your son checked out just for sanity sake.

Good Luck,

Lynda

[Heather A.]

Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for your wonderful replies. I feel better about the situation.

I think I will call his ped. tomorrow, just to have him evaluated.

I am just believing this is something he will outgrow. It is just so painful to watch him struggle, especially when previous to this, he was so vocal. But I will try to calm down; I don't want to make him "notice it" or feel self concious.

I just worry because I love him so and I guess that's what us mothers do!

I'll let everybody know what the ped. says.

Heather

[deespoohbear]

Sometimes children can start stuttering if they are stressed for some particular reason. Any major life changes recently, such as a move, death of a grandparent or such. My middle child stuttered before we adopted him. His foster parents said it was really hard to understand him at first (he was 3 when they got him and his brothers), but after a year in a stable home his stuttering was almost gone....now he is 13 and never shuts up!! Occasionally, if he is in a hurry or very emotional he will stutter just a little. Just my .02....Good luck and keep us updated....

[SmilingBluEyes]

do NOT interrupt him when he is expressing himself, no matter HOW tempting it is! this will aggravate it only and won't help. let him work it thru, til you can get help w/this. chances are, he will outgrow it soon enough, the way my nephew did.

[deespoohbear]

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

do NOT interrupt him when he is expressing himself, no matter HOW tempting it is! this will aggravate it only and won't help. let him work it thru, til you can get help w/this.

Great advice, Deb!! Our minister of our church stutters and sometimes it is hard not to finish his sentences for him....some of the younger children don't understand this and during the children's sermons it can get real interesting...one little boy who is just 4 years old is famous for finishing the pastor's sentences for him...our pastor is pretty understanding since the little tyke doesn't really grasp what he is doing....:)

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Do you have a new baby?

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Probably thinking quicker than he can express himself. I bet he will catch up...If there is a child younger than him, could just be an attention seeking behavior. He sounds pretty smart and vocal...Sounds more likely to me as though his thoughts are coming quicker than his ability to express himself. My 3 year old has grown out of that, but it took awhile. And no, I didn't feel the urge to drag him to a speech therapist, because it wasn't bothering him in any way....

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I have 5 kids and none of them did that. I have no peds experience though. I would see the doc and get an SLP consult.

renerian

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I thought I would add my one son had trouble with enunciation and the SLP helped him early on (around4), it was worth the money.

renerian

[Love4Me, RN]

My first son had the same problem. He bagan speaking very early and by the time he was 3 he was stuttering. I could tell that he had a mouthful he wanted to say, but his mind was going so much faster than his tongue could handle. He would get frustrated and repeatedly try to get his thoughts out until he forgot what he was trying to say. This stuttering slowed down and stopped all together by the time he was 5.

I used to tell him to slow down when he was excited and trying to tell me something. This seemed to help.