|  | Family Health | Childrens Health

Causes of and Cures for Stuttering in Children

Struggling to speak and repeating words and phrases may lead to vocal spasms, also known as stuttering or stammering. In children, stuttering is most common during the ages 2 to 5. Boys more so than girls are prone to stuttering. Often the speech disorder, which may last anywhere from weeks to years, goes away by itself. Various cures and causes for childhood stuttering may help give you a better understanding of the disorder.

  1. Developmental Stuttering and Genetics

    • Genetics is one reason why a child may stutter. According to the Kids Health website, 60 percent of children who stutter have a family member who also stutters. During the developmental stages of a child's life, his vocabulary is challenged as he learns language skills and speech. If a child is unable to keep up with verbal demands, it may result in stuttering. Developmental stuttering is the most common type of stuttering.

    Neurogenic Stuttering and Family Expectations

    • Neurogenic stuttering is when a child's speech is disordered due to a signaling problem between the brain and muscles or nerves. In these cases of stuttering, the brain's manner of processing speech and language differs compared to that of non-stuttering children. Neurogenic stuttering may be a result of head trauma, a stroke or brain injury. Children under pressure due to high family expectations may start stuttering. They experience anxiety and stress which only makes the condition worse.

    Speech Therapy

    • During speech therapy a child works with a speech pathologist to eliminate or reduce stuttering. The Stuttering Foundation recommends starting speech therapy within 6 to 12 months after stuttering is discovered. The length of successful therapy differs per child. During speech therapy a child learns to speak calmly. The fear of using certain words is reduced, as is the frequency of stuttering and the tension and anxiety that come with communicating and speaking.

    Electronic Therapy

    • Various electronic devices may help a child reduce his stuttering. One device resembles a hearing aid. When worn by the stuttering child, the device plays his altered voice back to him, making it sound as if he is speaking at the same time as someone else. Electronic devices promote fluent speaking in many children who stutter, but research is lacking in how long these results last.

    Parents and Self-Help Groups

    • Parents can help their child reduce his stuttering by talking to him in a calm manner. Encourage your child to speak to others and offer him plenty of time to finish his sentences. Avoid criticizing your child's speech and talk to him openly about his speech disorder. Joining a self-help group may help your child realize he is not alone. Self-help groups can provide resources and support that your child may need while dealing with his speech disorder.

Childrens Health - Related Articles