What are the signs of stuttering?
All children develop normal hesitancies and it is very important that all professionals and parents recognize the differences between these normal hesitancies and beginning stuttering. Lets look at some behaviors that are typically normal especially around the age of 28 36 months. 1. The child begins to show marked and obvious speech hesitancies; 2. The child avoids verbal contacts and or becomes shy in certain speaking situations. These situations may be ones that he/she formally had no difficulty with. 3. An effortful attempt to speak is noticed and there is a clear struggle to express himself. 4. The drawing out of sounds (prolongations) are noticed and or sounds are repeated. Frequently with a little patience and understanding these behaviors can be modified and often the stuttering will disappear in a few months.
