The development of speech is an important aspect of a child’s growth. Many children face problems with the pronunciation of syllables during the ages of two to five years. One of the most common problems faced by children is stuttering disorder. If you are a parent whose child is facing this difficulty then read on to know how you can aid your child’s stammering treatment.
Stuttering and stammering are two names for the same condition, the former is an American variant while the latter is a British one. Stammering is a speech disorder that makes it difficult for a person to speak certain words with fluency and clarity. People with stuttering speech find it difficult to converse with a normal flow of words as their speech gets disrupted. Though still in use, stuttering is not used as the diagnostic term anymore, the medical term for this condition is Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder according to DSM-5.
Children who stammer often have to repeat syllables to complete a word and take a long time to enunciate words. Stuttering is a disorder with no pinpointed or definitive causes. Some factors might lead to the development of stammering speech in a child:
Acquired or late-onset stammering is relatively rare and happens in older children and adults as a result of a head injury, stroke or progressive neurological condition. It can also be caused by certain drugs, medicines, or psychological or emotional trauma, and usually difficult to cure.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Stuttering occurs when there is some kind of error that delays the message a child’s brain sends to the muscles involved in speech.
Stress or anxiety is not a cause for stuttering and stammering but stress can worsen the condition. Stuttering may build up over time or even affect a child very suddenly. The peak time for a child to develop this problem is when they start to learn and pronounce complex words and create longer sentences.
It’s common for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years to go through periods when they may stutter. For most children, this is part of learning to speak, and it gets better on its own. However, stuttering that persists may require treatment to improve speech fluency.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Stammering can mentally affect a child and lead to low self-esteem and anxiety. It has been observed that peers often ridicule a child with speech difficulties such as a stuttering disorder. Here are some of the ways that this speech difficulty can affect your child:
Stuttering is not an uncommon disorder and a large number of people face it at some point in their lives. To help your child overcome their stuttering speech you will require patience, kindness and understanding. Here are some ways in which you can help with your child’s stammering treatment:
If your child is facing a stuttering disorder you will have to be extra attentive towards what they are saying. When they are stammering it is important to take time and let them finish their sentences so that you can understand what they are saying. Taking time to closely pay attention to their speech makes a child feel heard and boosts their confidence. When you do this exercise each time they speak and do not ask them to repeat frequently the child will not feel as if something is wrong with them.
It can be difficult to communicate with a child who stammers during their speech development phase. Stammering treatment starts at home and you should allow your child to converse at a pace that is comfortable to them, instead of forcing upon any other model of communication. If your child is speaking either slowly or very fast you should not try to correct it at this stage as it can build up more tension in their mind.
A stuttering child is often criticised and corrected whenever they speak, causing a lot of trauma to them. This may lower their confidence. Always keep a positive attitude around your child and respond positively even if you do have to correct them at times. Constant correction of their speech will not make the problem go away, thus it is important to keep encouraging them throughout.
A great way to make your child feel less conscious about their stuttering disorder is to not put special attention to it. Treat stuttering as a normal way of speaking if your child is suffering from it. When they notice that there is not much attention on their disorder, it becomes easier to recover from it.
Take time out and engage in one on one bonding sessions with your child. Maintain eye contact when they are speaking as this can help them feel more important and boost their confidence. Help them address their difficulties in a gradual manner.
If your child faces a stammering speech you should also visit a speech therapist for effective stammering treatment. A speech therapist can help you correctly address how to help your child overcome their difficulty. If you stay patient throughout the process and support your child with the tips in the article, you can help your child overcome the disorder quickly. It is vital to remind your child that they are not the only ones who stammer and it is nothing to feel bad or ashamed about!
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Diabetes is a common disease in today’s time. It is not only observed in adults but children as well.
Previously, it was thought that children could only have Type 1 diabetes but, it is now observed that they can develop Type 2 diabetes and few other types of diabetes as well.
As per the National Diabetes Statistics Report 2020, almost 210,000 children and teenagers have diabetes. In fact, Type 2 diabetes in children is rising by 4.8% every year.
High blood sugar and diabetes are two terms that are used interchangeably. This is because the digestive system breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. After which, the pancreas secretes a hormone known as insulin which helps in the movement of glucose from your blood into the cells for energy.
Type 2 diabetes does not allow the cells to respond well to insulin, leading to a buildup of glucose in the bloodstream. This makes the sugar levels extremely high for the body to handle. The phenomenon is known as insulin resistance.
Children with Type 2 diabetes can develop Type 2 diabetes complications affecting the eyes, kidneys and heart. In certain cases, it can lead to blindness as well.
Type 2 diabetes symptoms in children generally show very slowly and gradually. Hence, it becomes difficult to detect early on. In fact, some children have no symptoms at all.
However, diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes can be made based on the following symptoms:
Children having Type 2 diabetes might go to the restroom more frequently as compared to before the condition developed. Usually, the body excretes the excess sugar from the blood in the form of urine with water.
Children with type 2 diabetes might be more frequently thirsty. This is because increased urination often leads to dehydration.
Before the onset of type 2 diabetes, certain areas of skin begin to darken due to insulin resistance. This includes areas around the neck, back and armpits.
High blood sugar can pull the fluid from the lenses of the eyes, making it harder for the child to focus. Children developing Type 2 diabetes might also complain about their eyes paining frequently.
Insulin resistance can lead to fatigue as the body can’t convert blood sugar levels effectively. Type 2 diabetes in children makes them easily exhausted after a minor physical activity.
Type 2 diabetes diagnosis can be made by observing sudden weight loss too. The body does not receive the proper energy that sugar supplies which leads to the shrinking of muscle tissues and fat stores.
Insulin resistance can lead to slower healing of injuries and soreness in the body.
No one knows the exact cause of type 2 diabetes. However, family genetics and sedentary lifestyle play an important role. Obesity and inactivity in kids can also lead to type 2 diabetes.
Being overweight is a type 2 diabetes risk factor for kids. Children with fatty tissue around the abdomen have a high chance of developing this disease.
Children who have a family history of diabetes can be at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Children with sedentary lifestyles are also at risk. Physical activity generally helps a child control their weight while using glucose as energy and making their cells more responsive towards insulin.
Babies that are born prematurely before 39 to 42 weeks gestation have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
The long-term complications develop gradually over a period. Some of the type 2 diabetes complications include:
However, keeping the child’s blood sugar levels close to normal can reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes complications.
A healthy and well-balanced life can help in managing type 2 diabetes in kids. Eating leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains is a good idea. Also, indulging children in fun physical activities and exercises can keep them healthy.
If a child already has type 2 diabetes, then healthy lifestyle changes can help in reducing the complications. Apart from that, it is always advisable to monitor your child’s health and visit the doctor immediately if you see any symptoms.
Also Read: Magnesium Deficiency: Understanding Causes, Signs, and Solutions
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
