Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

Stuttering in children

5-minute read

Key facts

  • Stuttering is a speech disorder that stops the natural flow of speech.
  • Most children will outgrow stuttering without treatment – but you can’t tell who will and who won’t.
  • A speech pathologist can help your child with their stuttering.

What is stuttering?

Stuttering is a speech disorder. It stops the natural flow of speech and can make talking difficult.

Stuttering (also called stammering) is a pattern of speech that involves:

  • hesitations
  • repetitions
  • silent blocks (when your child tries to speak but no sound comes out)

People who stutter know what they want to say, but have difficulty saying it.

Stuttering can have a strong and negative effect on your child’s view of themselves and their social relationships.

It’s common for children between the ages of 3 to 4 to go through periods of stuttering. It might start overnight or build up slowly. Some children stutter occasionally, others all the time. It can vary depending on the situation. It might stop for a while and then start again.

For most children, this is part of learning to speak, and it gets better on its own. It’s rare for adults to begin stuttering.

Symptoms of stuttering

Stuttering signs and symptoms can vary greatly between children and may include:

  • difficulty starting a word, sentence or phrase
  • prolonging a word or sounds within a word
  • repeating a sound, syllable or word
  • brief silences for certain syllables or pauses within a word (broken word)
  • the addition of extra words such as 'um' if difficulty moving to the next word is anticipated

Your child may also do nonverbal things when they stutter, such as:

  • grimacing
  • blinking
  • tensing

Stuttering can be unpredictable. It can get worse with tiredness or stress. Stuttering can be very mild to very severe.

Types of stuttering

There are 3 main types of stuttering:

  1. repetitions
  2. prolongations
  3. blocks

Repetitions are when a sound, part of a word, a whole word or a phrase is repeated.

Prolongations are when a sound is stretched out.

Blocks are when no sound comes out.

Your child may do one or more of these behaviours.

What causes stuttering?

Nobody knows what causes stuttering. Stuttering is related to brain activity. This means that it’s a physical disorder not a psychological problem.

Stuttering isn’t caused by:

While anxiety does not cause stuttering, it can make it worse. This can then make the anxiety worse creating a negative cycle.

Stuttering runs in some families, although it can happen on its own. Males are more likely to stutter than females. About 1 in 100 people stutter.

Stuttering affects people from:

  • all backgrounds
  • all intelligence levels
  • all personalities

Treatment for stuttering

It’s not possible to tell whether a child will recover naturally from stuttering or if they will need therapy. It’s recommended that all pre-school aged children who begin to stutter should get treatment.

Young children benefit most from early intervention with a speech pathologist. Treatment at this age is more effective. It’s also because social anxiety usually begins to appear in children from 7 years of age.

Speech pathologists know about:

  • stuttering
  • evidence-based interventions

They will help you set goals for your child and work towards these goals.

You can get help for your child either in person or via telehealth. These sessions can be individual or in a group.

Treatment for adolescents and adults aims to both:

  • correct the speech
  • reduce anxiety that usually goes with it

There are no medicines to help with stuttering.

How should I talk with my child?

When talking with your child who stutters:

  • be patient
  • show interest in what they’re saying
  • try not to interrupt or finish their sentences

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder to find speech and language therapists near you.

Resources and support

You can find out more about stuttering from Speech Pathology Australia.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: March 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

Stuttering - Better Health Channel

Children who stutter should see a speech pathologist, preferably before they start school.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Stuttering in children & teens | Raising Children Network

Stuttering is a common speech problem that makes it hard for children to speak smoothly. If you notice your child has a stutter, see a speech pathologist.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Communication disorders: children & teens | Raising Children Network

Communication disorders include speech disorders, language disorders, stuttering and voice problems. Speech pathologists can often help.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Speech problems in children

Speech problems are common in young children. Some speech troubles can indicate a speech or development delay. Find out when to seek further advice.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Speech pathology

Speech pathologists are university trained professionals who work with people of all ages to diagnose, manage and treat communication and swallowing problems.

Read more on WA Health website

Growing and learning - Ngala

Middle childhood brings many changes in a childs life

Read more on Ngala website

Play ideas & language skills: school kids | Raising Children Network

School children usually communicate well, although they still make mistakes. Boost language skills by reading, telling jokes, and playing simple word games.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Learning to talk

Learning to talk is an important part of a child’s development and it occurs in stages. Find out how you can help your child to learn to talk.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Talking to your toddler

When you talk and listen to each other, you help your child learn to communicate. Find out how to talk to your toddler or pre-school aged child.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Conversation skills for children | Raising Children Network

Help your child develop conversation skills by role-modelling, prompting, guiding and practising. These skills help children’s development and relationships.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.