Stuttering, which is very common in childhood, is a disease seen in speech rhythm. The fluency of speech is impaired. Prolongs and repeats sounds. The fear of making mistakes while speaking increases the anxiety. Speech cannot be started or sounds are repeated and prolonged.
It usually begins between the ages of 3-5. It is usually temporary and resolves within a year. This is called temporary stuttering. If it does not improve, chronic stuttering occurs. During the illness, there are sometimes periods when speech improves, but then there is a tendency to recur. In children with stuttering, families usually try to correct speech by stimulating it. This increases the child’s anxiety when talking. Therefore, it is necessary to listen to his speech without correcting it to the end.
It is a very difficult process for children and young people. It can start for no reason or is associated with some stressful life event. Since the child does not want to talk after a while, it may spoil his life and relationships. Diseases such as depression and anxiety may develop due to stuttering.
Begins to avoid getting up and answering questions with friends or in class. The child loses his self-confidence. Some types of stuttering, seen at the age of three or five, may come and go. But some may take longer. In these cases, psychiatric support is required along with speech therapy. Some families of children with stuttering may also have speech disorders. This can have such an impact on children that they do not want to go to school. These children should try to reduce their social fears and improve their speech. They are disturbed by the critical gaze of the environment, so it is important to support them by listening without interrupting their speech. Sometimes this can be very tiring for children. Families sometimes fall into despair. Supportive treatments may also be required for the family in these cases. Parent education is essential. Stuttering increases in anxious children or when their anxiety will increase. Therefore, while speaking more comfortably at home, speaking in the classroom environment may deteriorate further.
In treatment, if there are accompanying diseases such as anxiety and depression together with speech therapy, they are treated. Socialization and problems between peers are tried to be corrected.
