Stuttering and the Bilingual Child
- New Ways to Help

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
For more information, contact:
Jane Fraser
(202) 686-4494
info@stutteringhelp.org

What should parents of a child who stutters do if their child speaks more than one language?

"Many treatment programs suggest that when young children are stuttering, it's best to simplify the language that's being spoken to them," said speech-language pathologist Rosalee Shenker, Ph.D., of the Montreal Fluency Centre. "This has added meaning when the child speaks more than one language."

Research shows that a child's language skills can affect his or her fluency, according to the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation of America. Bilingual children in the beginning stages of stuttering may stutter more when they use new or longer vocabulary words, use more complex grammar, or mix words from both languages in a sentence.

"No evidence has been found to suggest that speaking two languages in the home since birth causes stuttering. In fact, this may be the best time to input a second language," Shenker said. "However, if the child is bilingual and he or she begins to stutter, there are steps the parents can take to help."

• Monitor the stuttering in the child's strongest language as that is generally where the most frequent stuttering will occur.
• Speak one language at a time.
• Allow the child to mix vocabulary in both languages, but then model the word in the primary language.
• Simplify your own language: try to decrease rapid speech and questions when talking with your child.
• If stuttering persists for more than six months, see a speech pathologist specializing in stuttering.

Parents need not be afraid to introduce a second or third language to children between the ages of three and six years old, as long as language skills are developing normally.

"Additional languages are often introduced around age four, which can be a crucial age for language learning and stuttering." Shenker added. "If your child's strongest language is not developing appropriately for his or her age, or you notice the beginning signs of stuttering, you may want to hold off on the introduction of an additional language until after age six."

The Stuttering Foundation's brochure Stuttering and the Bilingual Child offers 10 tips for talking with your child. You may obtain a free copy by downloading it from the Foundation's web site at www.stutteringhelp.org, by calling the Foundation toll-free at 800-992-9392.