Everyone has experienced a disruption in speech fluency causing us to stutter. For most of us it was a transient situation. Most of us also know the familiar, and sometimes embarrassing, signs of someone who stutters, or struggles with speech disfluency. He or she will repeat a specific sound, syllable, or even a whole word or phrase. Their speech may be broken by prolongations of certain words, or abnormally long stoppages when they make no sound at all. Their face and body may even contort further illustrating their struggle to speak.

Sometimes it's hard to know what to do, if anything, when you’re talking with someone who stutters. Knowing the proper response is especially difficult when your conversation companion is about four feet tall, and calls you Auntie, or Mommy, or some other term of endearment. You feel for him or her, and have this overwhelming urge to help, maybe even finish their sentences.

Resist this common urge, though. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) says if you are with a child who stutters, do not to finish his sentences, or fill in words for her. Doing so can cause the child to feel frustration, or even anger if you reach for the wrong word.

Stuttering is a very complicated disorder, and its cause is still unknown. According to The Stuttering Foundation, over three million Americans stutter, and boys are four times more likely to stutter than girls. About 75% of preschoolers who stutter will usually stop within a few months.

Stuttering tends to run in families, and scientists suspect a genetic component. However, there are other factors that can contribute to its development, such as existing speech and language problems or developmental delays. Recent research shows speech and language processes may occur in different areas of the brain in those who stutter compared to people who do not. Additionally, family dynamics, particularly parents with high expectations and fast-paced lifestyles, may exacerbate a child’s speech disorder. A mix of some or all of the above circumstances may contribute to the development of stuttering. It is not necessarily caused by emotional trauma, and stuttering should not be stigmatized.

Try to tackle a speech disorder as early as possible. If you think your toddler or school-aged child is disfluent there are numerous resources online, and in your local community. Check out The Stuttering Foundation and the National Stuttering Association. Their sites offer invaluable educational information, and they may have a support group in your area. Both web sites offer pages specifically for children, teens, and adults. It’s worth it to review the pages aimed at educators and physicians, too.

Consider having your child evaluated by a speech language pathologist sooner rather than later. For a school-ager, check with your child’s teacher, or the school’s administrative office to see if the services of a speech language pathologist are provided by the school system. You can also look for a speech therapist on your own through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, but be advised, not every speech language pathologist has experience treating stuttering. Interview several and ask for referrals. Be sure to discuss your intentions and concerns with your family physician or pediatrician, as well.