Questions About DCB Speech - Stuttering

[Evansmom]

Hi there,

I have a new dcb and I have had two weeks to work with him and observe him and I'm now having some concerns about his speech. I think he is delayed a bit in pronounciation but he's definately stuttering quite a bit. The large majority of his sentences start with stuttering. He has a hard time getting the kids to understand him and this causes some fighting and he definately doesn't always understand what the other children are asking or negotiating with him and that causes problems too. He has real trouble with complying to anything I ask him and in one minute acts like he's forgotten what I request. It's exhausting to say the least. I find I'm spending a majority of my time talking to, redirecting and sometimes punishing him.

What should I say to the parents? I do not have any training in speech problems and I don't know if my assessment is correct. I could be off but I have been working with small chidren for more than 15 years so I think I have some experience and usually trust when I have a red flag come up.

But you guys know parents, if you suggest that there is something wrong with their child they can get defensive and since we just started our relationship I don't know how to bring it up.

Advice please. Thank you!

[cheerfuldom]

Honestly, I think I would wait a bit longer before mentioning anything. Its only been two weeks. I realize you have many years experience and I wouldn't want to discredit that but it is likely that the parents will not even here you out considering he has only been there a little while.

[JenNJ]

How old is DCB?

My son used to stutter. From 3ish - 4.5 off and on. The pedi said it was a typical stage that many kids go through and usually it resolves on its own. It is only worrisome if the child gets extremely frustrated to the point of tantruming bc they cannot speak the way they want to or it is accompanied by facial or body tics. I was told that sometimes their little minds move faster than their mouths can and it is often much worse when they are excited or nervous/anxious.

The best thing you can do is be patient when he speaks, listen carefully, ask kindly to repeat himself or show you what he wants/needs, and do NOT try to finish his sentences for him.

I also would not jump the gun and mention anything just yet. I am SURE they notice it and have likely already spoken to the dr about it.

[daycare]

my son is 3.5 and he stutters at the start of his sentences. Just like the pp said, he gets so excited or worked up trying to tell me something that he will reapeat the first few words over and over again. He also has delayed speech thanks to my two teenagers who baby him and talk for him, as well as give him everything he wants. They don't see the damage that they are doing and I try to help them understand, but they love thier little brother and dont see why I get upset with them when they speak for him.

I would give it more time and do your best to talk to him at his level, eye to eye and maybe even in a soft tone. I have to do this with my son and he tends to understand and respond better.

Hang in there and yes DONT say anything to the parents just yet.. Perhaps this is the little guys issue as well..

[Evansmom]

Thanks everyone,

He is 3.5 and so maybe he is just developmentally stuttering. I have been very patient with him and wait for him to finish no matter how long it takes for him to finish a sentence. So I'll just keep on. I noticed that his mom doesn't even let me finish a sentence when we are talking so maybe it stems from that.

Does anyone think that is speech would cause the other children to begin to stutter? Like I said I have no experience with this. I'm just wondering if it could effect the others. They are all around 3 years and they copy everything the other does you know?

[daycare]

I don't think so. My son stutters and no one else has ever picked up on it and anyway. It's as if the kids don't even realize it. Some of the parents do and some parents will even ask me to translate his words when he talks to them

Don't over think it...