Does my child need a stuttering evaluation?

Parents are often wondering if their child’s stuttering needs to be evaluated. It can be a tricky question, particularly because a child’s speech might be cyclical; ranging from fairly fluent some days to severe the next.  In addition, 75-80% of all children who begin stuttering will stop within 1-2 years without any intervention.

Here are some risk factors we consider when suggesting whether your child would benefit from a stuttering evaluation: 

• If there is a family history of stuttering. If there is someone else in your family who stutters, we are more likely to recommend an evaluation.
• We consider the age when stuttering begins. If a child begins stuttering after 3.5 years of age we are more likely to recommend an evaluation.
• We want to know how long since onset. If you child has been stuttering for at least 6-12 months or longer we are more likely to recommend an evaluation.
• We consider the types of stuttering. If your child tenses up during stuttering moments (more tension usually means more severe stuttering) we are more likely to recommend an evaluation. 

-Carrie Ravine, Speech Therapist