Sudden stuttering in preschooler

[....]

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice.  *sigh*

My 3 year old son has started stuttering - severely.  It started basically overnight and it's constant.  He stutters the first letter of each word.  He's also been very advanced verbally.  Something he said yesterday while he was playing with some plastic dinosaurs, for example: "Actually, this is a hybrid brachiosaurus."  Ok, so you get the picture, he's a little odd.  Lol.  Really intense/clingy...has separation anxiety if I leave the house.  Super smart.  Potty trained in like 48 hours.  Can sit for hours (he can actually sit through an entire church service), not very physical...pretty bad motor skills...doesn't want to play outside when I offer.  We are trying to encourage him to play outside more.  He does NOT like other small children.  No friends.

No toe-walking or anything like that - no hand flapping or jerky head movements. His face doesn't tense up when he talks.

Ok, so there's a snapshot.

*sigh* once again.  This is really stressing me out.  Does he sound ok??  What's causing the stuttering?  Is it just a phase?  Should I take him to the pediatrician?  

There isn't anything in the house producing anxiety (that was my first guess).  No changes.  Nothing traumatic.  He did just have a pediatrician's appointment a couple of months ago, but didn't get any vaccines this time (he had a reaction to the rotovirus vaccine, so this actually crossed my mind, too).

Thanks again for reading and any advice.

[HSsquared]

I suppose if you took him anywhere, it’d be to a SLP.

If he had a recent injury or something or you suspect an underlying medical issue causing the problem then I’d go to the doc too. 

So, I would study the likely suddden source of why he’s stuttering.

New stress? Major change in the home? New routine?  

Something to consider....My son, who’s long had speech delays, then speaks pretty regularly for the last 3 plus years suddenly in the last 8 months has gotten wayyyyy more articulate about how he speaks and someone listening in may think it’s stuttering too. It’s not all the time. If that sounds like your son, I’d wait. For my son, it’s sporadic, typically done when we are in active lessons in our reading or if he is trying to have a pointed conversation. So I think it’s some type of OCD of sorts that’s found in my ASD kid.

Hope this feedback helps!

 

[Selkie]

Maybe a verbal tic? My ds had lots of little motor tics at that age and occasionally verbal ones, too.

[HSsquared]

Research echolalic too. Could be his conversation is based off of something he heard?? And so he’s trying to mimic the exact rythum and intonation of the original source of information he’s trying to reconvey. My son is notorious for that. Has been from about 3/4yo to now 9.  It has wained drastically though since he was 6. 

Edited September 10, 2018 by HSsquared

[PeterPan]

Did your OT give you referrals for PT/OT? Have you thought about calling in EI? He's still right in the window where he might get some service, and it would let you get more eyes on what is going on.

Yes, there's a connection with anxiety and stuttering. They're basically going to use strategies like pause, take a breath, etc. But the overall picture is more something that needs some attention. Personally I would call in EI and let them do some screening and get you some strategies going. Some play therapy would be good sounds like, and it's just play, all good.

[geodob]

What this could be, is that he using the stutter as a pause.  Which gives him just a little more time, to think about what he wants to say.  As well as some extra time to retrieve the words that he wants to say, from memory. 

Do you generally give him time, to finish what he is saying?   As when one pauses, while speaking. The other person often thinks that they have finished speaking, and will start to reply?  When they haven't finished, they have just paused.  So that stuttering can be used, to gain time.

[EKS]

My son did that, I think, when he was 2.  And it was the same thing--extremely verbally advanced, huge vocabulary.  It got so bad that sometimes he couldn't get the words out and after a while it was obvious he noticed because sometimes he would put his hand on his mouth in what appeared to be an attempt to fix it.

And then one day it stopped.  I think it lasted a few months.  

He is now 16 and has not had a problem since, though for several years (I'd say from maybe ages 9-14) he would frequently stammer a bit at the beginning of sentences.  Once he noticed that about himself, he actually figured out how to stop on his own, and he doesn't do it anymore.

ETA: I did have an opportunity to ask his doctor about it at the time, and he wasn't too worried.  Apparently it's common to go through a stuttering phase at that age.

Edited September 11, 2018 by EKS

[....]

Yeah, the stuttering isn't repeating words, it sounds like, "M-m-m-mama, c-c-c-can I go to the p-p-p-park?"  He's literally stuttering the first letter of each word.  And he wasn't doing it before.  It just started.

It's bizarre.  No, and no changes or stress.  The only thing that's different is he started ballet about a month ago...it's once a week for an hour.  I mean, I don't think that would cause stuttering.  ?  He seems to like it. (?)

And, no, we haven't taken him to the doctor or gotten an evaluation.  I wouldn't even know where to begin.  I was probably going to call the pediatrician.

I'm not ruling out anxiety, because that does seem to run in my family.  I just don't know what could be causing the anxiety.  There's nothing new in our house.  He's with me 24 hours a day.  He doesn't go to preschool or daycare.  Yesterday morning, I spent two hours with him at the park and then we went to look at horses.  It *seems* like he has a pretty mellow life.        

[....]

3 minutes ago, EKS said:

My son did that, I think, when he was 2.  And it was the same thing--extremely verbally advanced, huge vocabulary.  It got so bad that sometimes he couldn't get the words out and after a while it was obvious he noticed because sometimes he would put his hand on his mouth in what appeared to be an attempt to fix it.

 

Do you have any idea why a verbally advanced kid would stutter?

[EKS]

I read somewhere that it may be because their mind is going too fast for their mouth.  Here is something that mentions this idea: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/going-beyond-intelligence/201610/happily-chatty-toddlers-who-start-stutter

[PeterPan]

1 hour ago, Evanthe said:

I just don't know what could be causing the anxiety.

Anxiety isn't always something you cause. Some people just have it genetically, chemically. The TPH2 gene, for instance, converts tryptophan to serotonin, melatonin, etc., so a defect in that results in anxiety that has nothing to do with your environment or being a good parent or whatever.

EI=Early Intervention, which is usually run by your county. They can come out and screen language, OT, developmental stuff, etc. and do free services through age 3. So I was piecing together your comments about motor planning, anxiety, the stuttering, etc. and just saying he's young enough to still qualify for that. It's usually play-based, in-home, free. It would be a good way to get someone just saying oh it's nothing or do this for a while. 

Disclaimer: We DIDN'T call EI years ago, when my ds was 1 1/2-2 and we had these concerns. My dh was concerned about having people in-home (I don't know why, we don't do anything illegal, mercy), and we just thought we had it covered. Well if we had had them in and got that kind of global perspective, we might have caught some things earlier. There was nothing to be afraid of. And that's why I'm just saying you've got some concerns, you're concerned, and just as an outsider there's just enough there that to me hey, call, do the free intake assessment, see what they think, kwim? They do a lot with parent training I think, so if it's stuff that you could just d yourself, they'll be all over that. 

Edited September 11, 2018 by PeterPan

[Storygirl]

In our state, early intervention ends when the child turns three, so a three year old would be referred to the public school, not the county early intervention, for free services (if s/he qualified). My son was in early intervention, and they helped us connect with the school before his third birthday. The age cut off may vary by state (not sure).

I would talk to the pediatrician and see if you can get a referral to a private speech therapist.

Or you can contact your local public school to find out whether they would evaluate him for services. I don't know if the school would consider stuttering a qualifying speech issue (each school may be different), but you can ask. There is a process to go through to qualify for services, though, and some schools will only give services to children who are enrolled in their preschool program.

Which I why I personally would start with the pediatrician and a private SLP evaluation.

Edited September 11, 2018 by Storygirl

[PeterPan]

Oh foo, don't know why I was thinking it was *through* 3.

[Lecka]

Where I lived, it was a small town, and they had one intake for all kids younger than Kindergarten, but then if you qualified you would have services through EI or the schools.  So you would still call EI.

I also think, it's possible if you call EI that they might know exactly what number to call at the school district, if that number isn't easy to find from the website.  It might be called "Child Find," I think that is what I have seen it called.  

I think talking to the pediatrician about a referral is also a great idea.  

What your insurance will cover might be a consideration, if you might pay out of pocket.  It might also be covered with a referral.  

I agree some kids have a stuttering stage around 3 that just lasts a short time.  I have seen it with kids at church.  

I would be more concerned about him not liking other small children.  

This means he is not benefiting from opportunities to work on his social skills with kids his age.  

I think it would be worth it to try to figure out why this is, and a way to address it.  I think it would be worth bringing up with the pediatrician or with EI/Child Find (whatever the service is called) and seeing what they say.  

Sometimes when kids are not as coordinated, they are not as comfortable around other kids, because they seem like they are unpredictable, or like they can't keep up.  If this is the case, or whatever the reason, unfortunately it can lead to a delay in social skills.  If you are seeing it then it's something to try to figure out, I think.  

Good luck, he sounds so sweet and cute with his "brachiosaurus!"

[Guest]

Here's something you may find useful, from the National Institute of Health (NIH):

Quote

What are the causes and types of stuttering?

The precise mechanisms that cause stuttering are not understood. Stuttering is commonly grouped into two types termed developmental and neurogenic.

Developmental stuttering

Developmental stuttering occurs in young children while they are still learning speech and language skills. It is the most common form of stuttering. Some scientists and clinicians believe that developmental stuttering occurs when children’s speech and language abilities are unable to meet the child’s verbal demands. Most scientists and clinicians believe that developmental stuttering stems from complex interactions of multiple factors. Recent brain imaging studies have shown consistent differences in those who stutter compared to nonstuttering peers. Developmental stuttering may also run in families and research has shown that genetic factors contribute to this type of stuttering. Starting in 2010, researchers at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) have identified four different genes in which mutations are associated with stuttering. More information on the genetics of stuttering can be found in the research section of this fact sheet.

Neurogenic stuttering

Neurogenic stuttering may occur after a stroke, head trauma, or other type of brain injury. With neurogenic stuttering, the brain has difficulty coordinating the different brain regions involved in speaking, resulting in problems in production of clear, fluent speech.

At one time, all stuttering was believed to be psychogenic, caused by emotional trauma, but today we know that psychogenic stuttering is rare.

Here's the link (it includes how it is diagnosed and treatments):

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/stuttering

I wish you all the best,

M

[PeterPan]

On September 10, 2018 at 7:56 AM, Evanthe said:

he's a little odd.

Fwiw, there are studies out there showing that parents nail this stuff way before practitioners. You've listed a bunch of things people are highlighting, but just this statement is enough to know he should be checked by someone who's taking a global developmental perspective and slowing down and getting to know him. Your gut is already saying that compared to your other kids or other kids you know, something is odd, and statistically your gut is likely to be right.

And, you know, it's all good. You pursue some kind of appt, get that discussion going, and they say well it's obvious he's profoundly gifted and that's why he's not interested in his peers, because his peers are boring. Fine! But there are still things you might do, even with that. 

I'm seeing a lot of discussion in my FB feed about why it is that they SAY that this stuff is so blazing obvious at 3 but that the most common ages for diagnosis are later, definitely after 5, and for some variants even 8 or 9. 

[popmom]

This sounds like my dd—one of my twins. She started stuttering around that age. I took her to be evaluated by the EI people, and they blew it off as a phase. Same with the pediatrician. I stupidly trusted them. It was not a phase. She’s 21 and still stutters. It waxes and wanes in severity, but overall moderate. If you have the means to go private or an Easter Seals place, definitely pursue evaluations. I often wonder if she could have been helped more if we hadn’t waited until she was 5 or 6. 

Also, I want you to know that my daughter is okay. Like—even if it’s not a phase, it’s going to be okay. My dd that stutters—She’s actually my most “normal” kid. ? She has not let the stuttering get in the way of her aspirations. She’s put up with a lot of insensitivity over the years, but she’s strong. She’s actually getting her degree in communication disorders. I may be biased, but she’s a really amazing young woman. I hope that encourages you some.

Statistically, he has a great chance of outgrowing it, but if your gut is telling you otherwise...don’t let them blow you off.

Also, i have no idea where you live... there is a specialist in Atlanta. We traveled back and forth there for several months. It was worth it. If you ever want info on that, let me know.

[popmom]

16 hours ago, PeterPan said:

Fwiw, there are studies out there showing that parents nail this stuff way before practitioners. You've listed a bunch of things people are highlighting, but just this statement is enough to know he should be checked by someone who's taking a global developmental perspective and slowing down and getting to know him. Your gut is already saying that compared to your other kids or other kids you know, something is odd, and statistically your gut is likely to be right.

 

 

This! For my dd it was just the stuttering. No other developmental issues, but parents do nail it before the practitioners. My experience supports this.

[....]

23 hours ago, PeterPan said:

Fwiw, there are studies out there showing that parents nail this stuff way before practitioners. You've listed a bunch of things people are highlighting, but just this statement is enough to know he should be checked by someone who's taking a global developmental perspective and slowing down and getting to know him. Your gut is already saying that compared to your other kids or other kids you know, something is odd, and statistically your gut is likely to be right.

 

I always feel weird bringing this up, but my other kids are gifted (one tested thru the ps a long time ago and another has not been tested, but is obviously gifted in one thing - as in she was 12 at a beginning college level in this subject), so after 16 years, I'm used to all of them having different issues...sensory issues, one of them had signs of autism for several years that magically disappeared (sigh...), anxiety, two of them seem to have some kind of LD that no one could ever pin down...  Anyway, some support over the years would've been great, but I'm used to not having any.   

Let me just say, they've worn me down over the years!  I feel like 10 years older than I actually am.  Lol.

[PeterPan]

The good thing is that things are working out for them, they're functional, it works. There's a lot of that nether region, where kids need some extra support but they ARE functioning and mainstreaming and succeeding and doing well. They just need that extra support. It's not like this hard b&w line, like you're on the spectrum, you're not. It fades into it at the soft edges, and I think it's more helpful to say this is the support you need and these are the areas you need it in.

 

[Frances]

On 9/11/2018 at 7:20 AM, EKS said:

I read somewhere that it may be because their mind is going too fast for their mouth.  Here is something that mentions this idea: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/going-beyond-intelligence/201610/happily-chatty-toddlers-who-start-stutter

My very verbally advanced son also went through a stuttering phase as a preschooler. Since my in-laws were teachers, I had them ask their school SLP about it and the above is what she said. It didn’t last long, and there were no lingering effects.

[exercise_guru]

Boy I am gong to go out on a limb here. If this were my son the first thing I would try would rhythm therapy. Music has amazing elements that transfer to speech and timing in the brain. He is a very little boy but you could clap nursery rhymes with him. Get him in any kind of a music program . Right now I am using a program on my ipad that is clapping to a metronome saying nursery rhymes . we start at 60 bpm and then go up by 4 beats or down by 4 beats and just make it a game. ( This is the app I use its called TEMPO) There is also a program called BEATBOX that is interactive metronome at home but you would need a very bright patient son to do that. 

Don't worry about the stutter the more you bring it up the more self consious he will be and likely make it permanent. My son did this as well but it was to give him time to come up with more information and try to put it correctly out of his mind. The visual imagry was so high in his brain he had to work to put words to it.  Its not there now but we have done a tone of auditory work with him.If your son is really smart and you are looking for something cheap look at a program called Hearbuilder and sit down( or ipad) and do it with him. IT might be a bit old for him. It hits the auditory system from numerous angles and that in tern builds the auditory cortex. We used the auditory Memory component extensively. I also love love love Fast forword but it would be difficult for a 3 year old. I saw a cool program for really young kiddos that hits the auditory. Its by an australian company I will have to look it up later. Just for myself I would hit the auditory part from every angle I could, singing, listening, beating drums to rhythm, repeating nursery rhymes. I suggest this because before the age of 4 their entire world is auditory and the more you shore up that area the better. 

I would immerse him in language and music at this age. It will only help to continue to gel the brain and improve the audtiory/ verbal expression system.  I suggest the rhythm music work and metronome work because it helps to create natural timing in the brain. 

That is what I would do in your situation.