Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: stuttering + stutter + sons  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Driver gets 5 years for crash that hurt victim The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, OR - Timothy Sauer who authorities say has stuttered since his arrest, said he was sorry and had his mother read a letter to victim Yvonne E. Smith. ... All eyes on Bejing Scotland on Sunday, UK - Aug 2, 2008 Four years later, in Seoul, they stuttered and managed only five golds, 11 silvers and 12 bronzes. For a country where honour matters, such a backward step ... Chauncey Bailey remembered by family, friends on one-year ... San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Aug 2, 2008 "He went from being a shy, stuttering teenager to an accomplished editor," he said. On Friday, an international press-freedom organization, ... About - News & Issues One Life to Live Recap for Monday, August 4, 2008 About - News & Issues, NY - Dallas asks if she is overstaying her welcome causing Nora to stutter her way into asking how Dallas ended up in Llanview in the first place. ... The Age The storm within The Age, Australia - Aug 1, 2008 ... almost apocalyptic vengeance ... in stuttering there is a kind of rebellion ..." He describes himself then as a "silent, suicidal boy". His son is now ... Taylor to transfer The Daily Collegian Online, PA - Jul 31, 2008 "He couldn't tell me, he's like -- you know how he gets his stutter -- 'These kids' names keep coming up.' " Joe Paterno could not be reached for comment by ... Baltimore City Paper The Same Damn Club, Some New Damn Bands Baltimore City Paper, MD - Aug 1, 2008 But the band's creative arrangements--which included several short songs with abrupt, unpredictable endings and some stuttering, off-kilter rhythms--were ... Finding support The Daily Advertiser, LA - Jul 13, 2008 She has two other sons who also stutter. There is evidence that stuttering may have genetic links, Trichon said. "Kids used to tease (Trevor) at school," ... Paul Young: I've lost everything - but I'm not bitter... Daily Mail, UK - Jul 18, 2008 Born in 1956 in Luton to Doris and Tony, Paul was a shy child with a terrible stutter but he displayed musical talent at an early age. ... Pitchforkmedia.com Lollapalooza Report: Saturday [Joshua Klein] Pitchforkmedia.com, IL - Aug 3, 2008 Rather, the group proffered agitated, stuttering dance-rock with singer Yannis Philippakis' yelp leading the charge. The rhythms may have been largely four ...

What is causing my son's stutter?

 Your son's stammering is not at all unusual. Many toddlers and preschool children stammer or stutter as they learn to speak.

It is natural for you to be concerned but nearly all children who stammer at this early age will grow out of it and have normal speech as they get older.

The fact that your son has been ahead in his language development probably explains why he has started stammering. It is a normal stage of speech development referred to as pseudostuttering or as a normal dysfluency.

As your son learns to talk he may repeat certain sounds, hesitate between words, stumble on or mispronounce words, be unable to make some sounds and substitute one sound for another.

Examples are the common replacements of the consonant 'c' with 't' making car into tar and 'y' with 'l' making yellow into lellow. If your son has normal dysfluency he will usually have brief repetitions of certain sounds, syllables or short words usually, as you say, at the beginning of a sentence.

His stammering may come and go and is typically worse when he is excited, stressed or overtired.

Your son's stammering is usually nothing to worry about. It should disappear on its own over the next three to four months.

Until it does go these are some steps you can take to help him:
• Don't correct or interrupt him when he is talking, ask others not to correct him either
• Stay calm and patient when he stutters, avoid asking him to repeat himself or to slow down

Don't make him practice words or sounds he finds difficult
• Make sure you speak clearly and slowly to him and give him plenty of time to finish what he is trying to say
• Be careful you don't avoid conversation with him because of his stammering- continue to talk to him by discussing his day and what he and you are doing and reading books together
• Try to avoid or minimise stressful situations which make his stammering worse
• Remain positive and full of praise for all his achievements, however small, so as to maintain his confidence.

If his stammering lasts for more than four months or is making your son anxious or self conscious then he may benefit from seeing a speech therapist; his GP or health visitor can refer him.

True stuttering is much less common than pseudo stuttering. Children with true stuttering are more likely to have long repetitions of particular sounds, syllables or short words, persisting beyond the preschool age.

Although the exact cause is unknown there may be a genetic element as it is more likely to occur if a parent also stutters.

It is also more common in boys. Children with true stuttering benefit from the above measures for pseudostuttering but will also need speech therapy - this referral can be arranged by the GP.

We recommend readers seek personal medical attention in appropriate circumstances.