Getting words out can be a struggle for some youngsters. Our
research shows 8.5 per cent of children stutter by the time they
turn three - almost twice the rate previously reported.
Stuttering is associated with rapid growth in language
development, most noticeably the combining of words into phrases
and short sentences.
Persistent stuttering can lead to long term problems including
social anxiety, emotional distress and reduces employment
prospects.
The positive news is early onset of stuttering was not
associated with language delay, social and environmental factors,
or pre-onset shyness or withdrawal. And, as only about one per cent
of adults stutter, these results indicate the rate of natural
recovery could be much higher than previously thought, according to
the study's lead author Professor Sheena Reilly.
The study, published in Paediatrics, is believed to be the
largest study of early stuttering onset to date.
"Health professionals can reassure parents that stuttering onset
is not unusual up to three years of age," said Professor
Reilly.
Professor Reilly said her group will continue to study this
group of children until seven years of age to identify any
stuttering predictors, to estimate the natural recovery rate during
the preschool years, and to examine the emotional impacts of
persistent stuttering.