Stuttering a worry

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 37, 25 February 1986, Page 12

Stuttering a worry

Everyone stumbles over words, hesitates or repeats words sometimes. A certain amount of nonfluency is normal and very few people speak with total fluency. So what is stuttering? Stuttering is when the flow of speech is constantly interrupted. Sounds such as 'um' or 'ah' may be used more than usual and the flow of speech may completely stop and the speaker be unable to get the next word out. The same word may be repeated four or five times, or the first part of words .may be repeated. Three-year olds often go through a stage of stuttering or non-fluency but provided this is handled correctly they will usually grow out of it. If your anxiety shows your child will pick this up and will then become anxious about speaking. Anxiety or tension increase the chances of stuttering. Always listen to your

child and give time for talk. See that brothers and sisters are not always bossing and talking when a younger child wants to talk. Read to your child when you can and talk about things in the book. A relaxed atmosphere should encourage relaxed easy speech. Make sure that your child has plenty of sleep because fatigue increases stuttering behaviour. If you are concerned about your child's speech and would like more suggestions about ways to help, contact your local speech therapist, Alison Anderson at Ohakune 58-385 Monday, Friday, Waiouru 56663 Wednesday, Taihape 332 Thursday.

This is the last article by Waimarino speech therapist Alison Anderson in which she outlines aspects of her work.