7 Risk Factors for Persistent Stuttering and 7 Factors Associated with Spontaneous Recovery

It's amazing to learn that 50-75% of children who exhibit early stuttering will recover without direct intervention. Spontaneous recovery usually occurs within one year of onset. If you have a child who is exhibiting disfluncies, here are the factors that will help you determine if intervention is required:

 

7 Risk Factors for Persistent Stuttering:

 

1) Greater than 60% of child’s speech is dysfluent

2) Dysfluencies persist longer than 12-18 months after their onset.

3) Family History of stuttering: Almost 50% of people who stutter have a family history of stuttering

4) Sensitive temperament or negative reaction to dysfluencies (awareness of stuttering).

5) Concomitant speech and language difficulties or advanced language skills.

6) Late onset (after 3 years of age).

7) Gender: Male

 

7 Factors Associated with Spontaneous Recovery:

 

1) Early onset of dysfluencies (before age 3).

2) Typical speech and language skills

3) Decrease in dysfluencies during the 12 month period following onset.

4)Less than 50% of child’s speech is dysfluent.

5) Gender: Female

6) No family history of stuttering, or relatives who have recovered from stuttering.

7) Outgoing and carefree temperament.