Stammering
Stammering is a natural variation in talking.
Children might hesitate, stop and start again or stumble over words. They might repeat sounds or words, or stretch them. They might make sounds or use noises like “umm” and “err” while they are trying to say what they want to say next.
Around 1 in 12 children will stammer when they are learning to talk. Some people might call this stuttering. They both mean then same thing.
What you might notice if your child is stammering
Your child might:
- repeat parts of words, for example “b-b-baby”
- repeat whole words, for example “my-my-my car”
- stretch sounds out, for example “mmmmummy”
- get stuck on words for a few seconds, where no sound comes out
- find it difficult to start saying something
- get tense and / or frustrated when they are talking
- move their body to try and help say a word
They might be aware that talking is difficult, and might get upset or frustrated. They might also avoid talking in some situations. If you notice this happening a Speech and Language Therapist can help. They will help you to understand how to help your child.
Speech and Language Therapy can support children to be confident communicators.
How you can help
Check out our Five Top Tips Video to find out more about how you can help:
Our advice leaflets contain lots of helpful information and ideas of things you can try at home to help.
Stammering - 5 Top Tips [PDF 206KB]
Quick and easy suggestions of things you could try at home.
Stammering: What is stammering? [PDF 134KB] - Stammering is a natural variation in talking.
Stammering: Why do children stammer? [PDF 62.4KB] - Parents do not cause stammering. Stammering has a neurological basis (to do with wiring in the brain) however there is no one reason why your child has started to stammer.
Stammering: Helping younger children who stammer [PDF 132KB] - Reducing the pressures of talking can make talking feel easier for them.
Stammering: Using more than one language and stammering [PDF 90.2KB] - There is no evidence that using more than one language causes stammering.
Recommended links
You might also find the following trusted websites helpful:
Stamma: Get Support | STAMMA
- Stamma is the national charity for stammering. They have lots of support available for children, young people and their families
Michael Palin Centre: Parents - The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering
- the Michael Palin Centre is a specialist stammering service based in London who help children all over the country
Action for Stammering Children: Support for Parents - Action For Stammering Children
- this is a charity connected to the Michael Palin Centre
Penguin App: Penguin is an app for parents and carers of children who stammer
- the App gives you the tools to feel more confident about supporting your child and yourself
What we can offer
You can speak to one of our Speech and Language Therapists via our advice service. We can make suggestions about what might help and answer any questions you might have.
Our advice service is open every Thursday 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Tel: 01228 608177
Email: CumbriaCommmunicates@ncic.nhs.uk
Advice and support sessions
We run an online Supporting Stammering at Home Advice and Support Session. This is for parents and carers.
The session includes information on:
- what you can expect from us
- what stammering is
- what factors can support and impact a child’s stammer
- how you can support stammering at home
To book a place email: SLTCumbriaTraining@ncic.nhs.uk
Making a Request for Support
Stammering a natural variation of talking. If you and your child are not concerned Speech and Language Therapy do not need to be involved.
Anyone, including parents and carers, can request support from Speech and Language Therapy. You can do this via our Request for Support Form.
If we receive a Request for Support for stammering usually the first step is a telephone appointment with the child's parent/carer. We will ask some questions to find out more about:
- your main concern
- your child's stammer and how they feel about it
- how your child's stammering is impacting them
Together we will decide what do to next. This might include:
- attending the Supporting Stammering at Home Advice and Support Session
- advice and information sharing with an opportunity to follow-up
- further exploration of your child's stammer through an individualised clinic appointment
The support we offer is always tailored to the needs of your child. Some children benefit from individualised support, others benefit from support in their environment. Speech and Language Therapy support children who are stammering where there is an impact on how they communicate and interact with others.
We discharge at a point when:
- you and your child are confident at supporting stammering
- your child indicates they don’t think they need help at the moment