| There is no affliction more devastating to children | | | | more pressure to perform or have some other |
| than stuttering. Unfortunately, this usually makes | | | | problem is unknown. The girls outgrow this |
| them the target of teasing at school, which only | | | | problem much faster than the boys. It should be |
| makes the matters worse. There are solutions to | | | | remembered that hesitancy in speech is not |
| Stuttering in children but they take a lot of time | | | | stuttering. All have this problem from time to |
| and effort on the part of all concerned. They not | | | | time. |
| only involve parental efforts but, often, the | | | | For a child with this type of speech problem the |
| guidance of someone who is an expert in the field. | | | | family can help a great deal. When the child starts |
| Stuttering in children usually begins around the age | | | | to stutter if one stops them and asks them to |
| of three although it may not appear until the age | | | | speak more slowly it will aid them in thinking |
| of six. This problem can be caused by the | | | | before speaking. This can be time consuming but |
| environment, anxiety or other problems and, in | | | | the result will be worth it. By being patient with |
| some cases will cease as the child gets older. | | | | the slow speaking, in time the child will gain |
| Others may require some sort of therapy of | | | | confidence and be able to speak at a normal rate. |
| other treatment. | | | | It should be noted that certain situations can bring |
| Fortunately, most schools now have a speech | | | | on the stuttering. Excitement, a disrupted |
| therapist who will work with any student having | | | | household and anything that changes the norm |
| this kind of a problem. They emphasize taking | | | | can cause this reaction. The child, more or less, |
| time to think out what is to be said before | | | | goes into a defense mode and it interrupts the |
| speaking and to relax. If the child is tense or | | | | train of thought from the brain to the words |
| under pressure, such as teasing by others, the | | | | spoken. When such a reaction is noted, taking |
| condition always becomes worse. | | | | action to change the situation will help. |
| Very few people carry this problem over into | | | | For the child who stutters it is a devastating |
| adulthood. They either have had therapy or have | | | | experience. They are aware from the remarks or |
| simply outgrown the dilemma. The worse part | | | | looks that they are not functioning in a regular |
| about this problem is that the more one tries to | | | | manner. This makes them feel that they are |
| cope, the worse it gets. Such a person needs to | | | | 'different' from everyone else. Stuttering in |
| seek the counsel of a speech pathologist or | | | | children needs to be addressed, from the very |
| someone else experienced in the field if this | | | | beginning, with care and understanding. The need |
| problem still exists. | | | | to feel part of the norm, especially in methods of |
| For some unknown reason more boys than girls | | | | communication is crucial for their emotional well |
| exhibit this problem. Whether they are under | | | | being and happiness with life. |