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Gracey started stuttering on a few words in the last week. It actually started a few weeks ago, but with just the word "in" ("I want to get in in in the in the bathtub.") Over the last few days, it has gotten worse. I noticed just YESTERDAY that it had progressed to multiple words and she was stuttering at least once every few sentences. Today, it has been non-stop. She gets stuck once just about every sentence.. sometimes multiple times in a sentence. She even has the facial issues associated with stuttering.. you can see the struggle in her face.
My little girl went from speaking full, fluent sentences using words (properly!) that she shouldnt even know yet.. to barely being able to ask for her sippy cup
I wasnt even worried at first.. I knew that stammering could be common and at first, thats all it seemed to be-just occasional excitement-induced stammering. Then, as it got worse this week, I started getting a little worried. Now, just as of TODAY, its pretty severe (I looked up the difference in normal disfluencies and stuttering and levels of stuttering)..and Im getting more worried and just heartbroken.
Heartbroken because today, she has become frustrated and even embarrassed by it. Occasionally, she would get stuck on a word so long that she would just clinch her fists and squeal frustratedly.. or cover her mouth and look confused.The facial struggling has gotten worse, too. In the car, she was trying to tell me something, but it never would come out. She just stopped and said "Its serious." I asked, "What is serious baby?" She said, "M-m-m-m-my mouth. Its-its-its serious." and looked all sad. At Target, she was trying to say something to the cashier but got hung up and grabbed her mouth and got all embarrassed. She always looks away, grabs me, and says "mommy" real soft and hugs me when shes embarrassed--thats what she did. She has also been saying that her mouth is "ringing" when it happens.. or she'll stick her hand in her mouth and say it hurts or something. I dont think it really hurts and Im not sure what it means when she says its ringing, I think she just doesnt know how to explain what is going on.
I know its common for stuttering to start suddenly at this age, and I read that kids who develop language skills early are actually at higher risk.. AND that it often corrects itself in 6-12 mos, BUT-its so hard to not feel somehow responsible. Its also really hard not to well up with tears when seeing how extremely stressful it is for her and how frustrated she gets every time she opens her mouth to talk. Im worried about how quickly it has worsened.. its gotten so much worse in the last 24 hrs.
JD and I were thinking about anything that might have changed right before it started, but other than giving her the occasional Calms Forte and changing to natural baby stuff, nothing has changed.
I have been staying very patient with her, I let her finish no matter how long it takes her, never interrupt her.. never finish FOR her.. Ive read all the parent suggestions, I think.
Im not sure if I should make an appointment just for this though?
And of course, if anyone has any suggestions, advice, or theories for what is going on.. Im all ears (eyes?) !!
OH! I did have one question.. and thinking about it now, I probably will make an appointment.. just in case. Anywho, she also developed some funky rash a few weeks about (about 3 now?) that I initially thought was the beginning of Chickenpox. Its obviously not though because it hasnt changed much. Most of it is just teeny-tiny bumps and others are small splotches--kinda raised, but flat on top and a few spots appear scab-ish. It has no color most of the time, but sometimes.. it flares up and turns red. I cant find anything that looks similar online... it came up suddenly, got to the point that its at now over about 2 days.. and hasnt changed since. I surely hope that the rash and stuttering arent in anyway related! I wasnt going to have it checked out after reading that rashes can stay for months and dont need medical attention unless other symptoms are present (no fever or anything like that).
I'm sorry Lacey, I know nothing about any of this but I sure can understand how frustrating and upsetting this all can be. Please make an appointment about the speaking, just for peace of mind if nothing else, some speechies may be able to give you some advice on it all as well.
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Kadee (752g) and Samara (769g) born 29/9/07 @ 25w
Declan (3.58kg) 9/9/09 @ 37.4w
OH, I am in tears! How heartwrenching for you both. I don't know about the stuttering... I had a friend who was an elementary school speech therapist, but she moved to NY and we lost touch. I do recall in conversation, though, that some counties have health departments that include speech therapists for little ones. Perhaps if you can contact your county or even your insurance company to see if you could get an appointment. They are usually very gentle and playful wiht the children, so it wouldn't be poking or prodding, I don't think.
I hope it is a temporary thing, but it sounds like she is scared to say much and this in itself can be really sad. I would call to see what the "pros" say.
In the mean time, just let her know that this is ok, that you will get through it, and she should not be afraid to talk. You could even tell her that many other children go through this, so she knows she's not alone. She sounds scared and right now, assurance and continued love and adoration are the best bets for her.
Big hugs to you both!
__________________ Gwynne, mom to 3 beautiful miracles & 1 on the way! I my siggy, Jaidynsmum, thank you!!
Awwwww - poor Gracey. Sorry to hear she is struggling Lacey. I would make an appointment just to cover all your bases, but ITA with Gwynne.. I think it would be good for her to know this happens to lots of other kids so she doesn't feel she is different. Poor girl. Fingers crossed the doctor can reassure you it will likely go away on its own.
Poor baby!!!! I've had this struggle with one of my kids, but she was a preemie and had a speech delay for the longest time. With Ansley, after years of speech therapy, she is 100% better, and she has been better now for several years (she's 8 now). She had problems with her speech that the doctors believed could have been caused by her premature birth. However, it CAN be very normal! My six year old went through a stage where she stuttered for about 6 months a few years ago and her doctor said it was a very normal part of speech development. HOWEVER, just because you have been observing her and you think that she's gotten worse so quickly, I'd definitely get her in. She is clearly clearly frustrated by her own stuttering, which means that she has noticed it's come on pretty rapidly also and it's most definitely not something she can control. We'll keep you guys in our prayers!!! ((hug))
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Nicole
Mom to 4 beautiful girls, 4 handsome little guys and our princess....
(((HUGS))) I'd call too, for your peace of mind, and so that they can reassure her too.
The rash you describe sounds very similar to the spots and blisters Kenz gets on her diaper area when she's teething. A cortisone cream helps a lot with it. It might be worth a trip to the doctor, especially if it's bothering her.
__________________ Ashley, mommy to Mackenzie 01/01/08
I too would call just to get her in, just to see what they have to say regarding it. I'm sorry Lacey, that breaks my heart listening to how she's obviously hurt and embarassed by that. Poor thing! She shouldn't have to feel that way. Good luck!! Please kup.
HUGZ I don't know if anything can cause stuttering, but I do know it can be totally not your fault. My cousin had pro/enunciation speech issues when he was little. He couldn't properly enunciate some letter/vowel combinations. Quite a few of them actually. He did have to see a speech therapist for awhile. It was pretty severe, but he got over it and you can't hear any enunciation issues at all today. I think it took a year of regular appointments. Hopefully you can find some good help!
Poor Gracey, how heartbreaking. I'd also make an appointment just to get her checked and for some peace of mind. And in the mean time, just keep encouraging her and staying positive with her. I hope this passes quickly.
I am in tears reading how she is frustrated with it and that it embarasses her! I would make an appointment as well, just to calm your worries and see how you can help her. I think that you are doing great by listening to her and not finishing the sentence for her. Keep us updated and hugs to you both!
Oh Lacey I am so sorry. You poor things! DHs brother saw a speach therapist as well and you would never know. I would call your pedi and see what they say. Even if it is a referral to a therapist now that wouldn't be a bad thing imo.
I really have no knowledge on this topic...would it have anything to do with stress or frustration or is there no true 'cause'? Maybe talking to her about it and telling her it is ok and see what she comes out with.
Big Hugs Sweetie, I hope it passes quickly for you both.
((HUGS)) Lacey!! reading this makes me so sad! asked DH about this because he has a nephew that used to stutter. is started when he was around 2 years old. he took speech classes and it has gone away for the most part, but it comes back every now and then. He is 11 years old now.
about the ringing...DH has a theory that maybe she has an ear infection or fluid in her ears and her ears are ringing. and if they're ringing and she tries to speak she gets distracted by the ringing and starts stumbling over her words. just a guess!
please keep us posted! poor Gracey!
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Jacqueline, mommy to Sarah Leveda (12/27/07)and Vincent Bradley (1/23/11)
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I am so sorry! Both of you sound so scared and frustrated! I don't have personal experience with a child stuttering, but I am watching for it.
My grandpa was a huge stutterer. My FIL stutters, and my DH stutters. It can be a learned thing. But this doesn't sound like the case in your situation.
Is Gracey in school yet? Most elementary schools (with pre-K and K) have speech therapists that they consult with.
Thanks for the support, ladies. I think Im going to hold out for a bit on calling the Dr. If she is still having issues when we are in AL next month, I'll take her then. I was talking to my mom and she made a good point. If we take her now and it IS anything we need to look into, by the time we got the ball rolling on it--we'd be living in AL and have to start all over again anyways.
It's so weird. Yesterday, she was back to stuttering just occasionally.. every few sentences or less. Much less than the day before but still more often than it was about a week ago when it was just the word "in." Actually yesterday, she was doing more of the dragging words out.. like, "I neeeee-nee-neeeed some juuuuuuuuice.... some juice, mommy. I need some juice."
When weird things happen at the same time, Im always afraid that they are related. Like her recent freak-outs thinking that she has an ant on her, when she doesnt. Or last night when she started freaking out and ripping her pull-up off before I got it all the way up because she was convinced that there was a spider in it. I hope its just bug-paranoia and not some nervous system problem. I think Im getting myself worked up though, so Im going to try to stay calm about all of it for now.. the best I can anyhow.
Jac, I think your hubby is probably right about her having ringing in her ears, though Im not sure that is whats causing the stuttering --it would be great if it was, though! I dont think its an EAR INFECTION, at least not yet, because she is pretty good about telling us that they hurt. I will definitely be on the look out for one though, just in case. I never know when she tells me something is ringing.. she has told me that her tongue was ringing before...
BUT, this morning, she did keep asking "what is that sound? Did you hear it? Its just the wind, mommy." But I didnt hear anything at all!
Again, thanks everyone. Im going to just keep watching her for a while, I guess. I'll probably call the nurse this morning--just to see what she says.
