Patient's question:
The baby is three years old. Recently, he has been stammering when answering questions, which he never used to do before. He could speak whole sentences perfectly before and is very smart with good communication skills. However, lately, he occasionally stammers when trying to express himself, though not all of his speech is affected. Sometimes it's "me me me me" or "you you your," which is very frustrating. I don't know what's going on, and should I take him to the hospital?Doctor's answer:
Stuttering often reoccurs around the age of 2 to 5, which is precisely the stage when children's language and psychological development are most rapid. Children's interests in their surroundings expand significantly, and their vocabulary gradually becomes richer. However, because their speech functions have not yet matured, they are not adept at selecting words, and their language connections are not very fluent. As a result, their responses sometimes show hesitation and repetition, which is a natural phenomenon of growth and development. As children grow older, this gradually disappears. Treatment for stuttering must begin as early as possible. First and foremost, it is essential to eliminate adverse environmental factors, such as deliberate imitation and ridicule from those around them.