Stuttering vs. Speech Delay: How Are They Different?
Is it difficult to tell if your child stutters, has difficulty making speech sounds, or both? That’s totally normal. Only with seven years of schooling and twelve years of work experience is it easy for me to determine what is going on. So, let me share the basics with you.
Stuttering is the repetition of sounds or syllables, possibly with blocks, physical tension, or frustration.
Example: “Hhhhhhhhe is playing [pause, rounding lips with closed eyes] wwwwith my [pause, rounding lips with closed eyes] wwwwater toy!”
Notice the sound repetitions, blocks, and physical features of the stuttered phrase.
Speech delays are incorrect productions of sounds that negatively impact the understanding of messages.
Example: “He is pwaying wid my wapew poy!”
Notice the gliding of /l/ to /w/, the stopping of /th/ to /d/, and the fronting of /t/ to /p/.
It can be challenging to understand if your child has difficulty making age-appropriate sounds, is producing atypical stuttering, or both.
Instead of going back to school and starting another career, reach out to an expert who can provide helpful insights, applicable suggestions, and real change.
