If your child has started repeating words or getting “stuck” when they talk, you’re not alone. Many children go through periods of disfluency as their language skills rapidly grow.

But how do you know what’s typical… and what might need extra support?

Here’s a simple, save-and-share checklist for parents.

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✅ What Can Be Typical (Especially Ages 2–5)

As toddlers and preschoolers develop language quickly, it’s common to hear:

• 🔹 Repeating whole words
  “I I I I want juice.”
• 🔹 Repeating short phrases
  “Can we, can we go outside?”
• 🔹 Occasional pauses or filler words
  “Um… I… I need help.”
• 🔹 Increased disfluency during excitement or big transitions
  (Starting school, new sibling, holidays, travel, growth spurts)

Typical developmental disfluency:

• Comes and goes
• Is not accompanied by visible tension
• Does not seem to frustrate the child significantly
• Often improves on its own

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Signs It May Be More Than Typical

You may want to seek a speech evaluation if you notice:

• 🔸 Repeating sounds instead of whole words
  “B-b-b-b-ball”
• 🔸 Stretching sounds
  “Ssssssssometimes”
• 🔸 Getting “stuck” on a sound with no airflow
• 🔸 Visible tension in the face or neck
  • Tight lips
  • Eye blinking
  • Jaw clenching
  • Head movement
• 🔸 Avoiding certain words
• 🔸 Saying “I can’t talk” or showing frustration
• 🔸 Stuttering lasting longer than 6 months
• 🔸 Family history of persistent stuttering

When stuttering includes tension or struggle behaviors, early support makes a big difference.

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Why Early Evaluation Matters

Early intervention does not mean labeling your child.

It means:

• Giving parents tools
• Reducing pressure around speech
• Preventing secondary behaviors
• Supporting confidence and communication

The earlier we support fluency, the better the long-term outcomes.

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What Parents Can Do Right Now

• Slow your own rate of speech slightly.
• Pause before responding.
• Maintain relaxed eye contact.
• Avoid telling your child to “slow down” or “take a breath.”
• Create calm, one-on-one talking time each day.

Your calm presence matters more than perfect speech.

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When in Doubt, Ask

If you’re wondering whether what you’re hearing is typical — trust that instinct. A quick screening can provide reassurance or a plan.

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iRehab Services

We provide:

• In-person services at our clinic in Sterling Heights
• Telehealth across the state of Michigan

📞 Call 248.252.6064
📧 Email marcia@irehabservices.com

We’re here to support confident communication at every stage.