Stuttering is a speech problem that makes it difficult for children to speak smoothly. It usually begins in early childhood when speech and language skills are expanding and other developmental learning is taking place, typically between the ages of 2 and 5. Most children outgrow this developmental stuttering, but sometimes it can persist into adulthood. The exact cause of stuttering is unknown, but most experts agree that stuttering has a neurological basis, affecting areas of the brain that control how speech and language are processed. Some possible causes of developmental stuttering include abnormalities in speech motor control and genetics. Stuttering can also run in families due to a genetic cause.

There are several types of stuttering, including developmental stuttering, neurogenic stuttering, and psychogenic stuttering. Developmental stuttering is the most common type of stuttering in children and usually happens when a child’s speech and language development lags behind what he or she needs or wants to say. Neurogenic stuttering may happen after a stroke or brain injury, and it happens when there are signal problems between the brain and nerves and muscles involved in speech. Psychogenic stuttering is a rare type of stuttering that is caused by emotional trauma or stress.

If a child stutters for more than six months and it occurs frequently during the day, shows tension, a facial grimace, or struggle behavior during speech, avoids talking situations or expresses concerns about speech, or avoids saying certain words or sounds, the child should see a speech-language pathologist. The treatment of stuttering depends on the unique needs of the child, but speech therapy, using electronic devices to improve speech fluency, or cognitive behavioral therapy may be beneficial.