Stuttering is frequent among children learning to speak. Common characteristics of stuttering include repetitions (“how how how-how are you?”), prolongations (“ssssssave me one”) or blocks (attempting to say something but no air or sound comes out-“What…………are you doing?”). Stuttering is caused by many factors, including family history, stress/anxiety, emotional trauma, or traumatic brain injuries.
Children who stutter may also exhibit secondary behaviors during moments of stuttering such as involuntary head movements, fist clenching or tremors. These secondary behaviors are used to avoid or escape from stuttering. Based on the child’s needs, therapy may focus on preventing or extinguishing stuttering behaviors. For your in home speech therapy appointment, call us at (732) 705- 1645.