Causes of Stuttering
There is no known exclusive cause of developmental stuttering. A variety of hypotheses and theories suggests multiple factors contributing to stuttering, including:
  • Genetics: About 60% of those who stutter have a close family member who stutters.
  • Other speech and language problems or developmental delays, physical trauma at or around birth
  • Stressful situations such as the birth of a sibling, moving, or a sudden growth in linguistic ability
  • Differences in the brain's processing of language: People who stutter process language in different areas of the brain. And there's a problem with the way the brain's messages interact with the muscles and body parts needed for speaking
  • High/increased activity level
  • Rapid rate of speech​


​​Stuttering in Children
​Many young kids go through a stage between the ages of 2 and 5 when they stutter, repeating certain syllables, words or phrases, prolonging them, or stopping, making no sound for certain sounds and syllables. interruption in the flow of speech.
In many cases, stuttering goes away on its own by age 5; in others, it lasts longer. There's no cure for stuttering, but effective treatments are available and you can help your child overcome it.


​Early Signs of Stuttering
​The first signs of stuttering tend to appear when a child is about 18-24 months old as there is a burst in vocabulary and kids are starting to put words together to form sentences. It is natural for kids to do some stuttering at this stage. It's important to be as patient with your child as possible.
A child may stutter for a few weeks or several months, and the stuttering may be sporadic. Most kids who begin stuttering before the age of 5 stop without any need for intervention such as speech or language therapy.
If your child's stuttering is frequent, continues to get worse, and is accompanied by body or facial movements, an evaluation by a speech-language therapist around age 3 is a good idea.

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​When to seek Help
​If your child is 5 years old and still stuttering and/or is showing signs of:
  • repetitions of whole words and phrases become excessive and consistent
  • sound and syllable repetitions start happening more often
  • an increase in the prolongations of words
  • strained or difficult speech
  • increased facial tension or tightness in the speech muscles
  • vocal tension resulting in rising pitch or loudness
  • avoidance of situations that require talking
  • changing a word for fear of stuttering
  • facial or body movements along with the stuttering
  • if you have other concerns about your child's speech

Lisa Zanon - Ottawa Speech Therapist
M.Sc., SLP(C), Registered CASLPO
Ottawa, Ontario
613.851.0506     lisa.zanon@zanonspeechtherapy.com

38 Auriga Drive, Suite 200 Ottawa Ontario K2E 8A5
Serving - Ottawa, Nepean, Glebe, Ottawa South, Barrhaven, Riverside South, Manotick, Kemptville, Centrepointe, Westboro, Craig Henry, Kanata, Orleans
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