The symptoms, as well as the moment in which stuttering appears, vary from one subject to another. The survey carried out on some families does not always provide very precise information in this regard. Some parents do not realize the moment of onset of stuttering in children, unless it appeared suddenly, or in conjunction with a triggering event.

When it is a tonic stuttering with more or less marked blocks, associated with uncoordinated movements of the organs used for speech, they believe they are faced with difficulties in breathing and articulation.

STUTTERING BETWEEN 3 AND 4 YEARS

In most cases, stuttering is a disorder that appears in early childhood, between the ages of 3 and 4, not at the same time as the first words appear, but rather at the time of the development of the first sentences, that is, at the time when language is organized and when the first contacts with the outside world take place, with other children both inside and outside the family environment: during games, or at nursery school, for example.

At this age, some authors speak of primary stuttering, others of physiological stuttering (Weiss), or of development (Métreaux). Borel-Maisonny thinks that it is a phase of predictable physiological stuttering, since the child must learn to organize his language in a very short time.

But most children of that age (about 50%), according to Johnson, can frequently be found with repetitions of syllables, verbal hesitations that regress from the moment in which the means of expression become efficient.

STUTTERING BETWEEN 5 AND 6 YEARS

For other children, the onset of stuttering occurs around the age of 5 or 6, coinciding with the start of elementary school. This can be explained by the emergence of new expressive needs related to the transition from the family environment, where “toddler” language is tolerated, to the school environment.

The rules and obligations dictated by teachers force the child to pay attention to the choice of words and the construction of sentences that require a more rigorous and more constructive discipline that the child suffers more if he or she has a language delay.

Depending on his or her mental formation, the subject may find his or her own way of adapting to this state or not. But if the parents are perfectionists, constantly scold him or her, unfairly scold him or her when difficulties arise, then the child may react either with aggressive attitudes or with mutism.

STUTTERING BETWEEN AGE 10 AND 12

Finally, stuttering can appear much later, between the ages of 10 and 12. This is the time when the subject becomes more aware of his difficulties, which, due to the problems that arise in this difficult period, can intensify and inhibit the child.

Sometimes, there are traumatic events that can trigger stuttering, particularly traumatic and painful circumstances: bombing in war events, illnesses, parental divorce, difficulties in the workplace, disturbances in emotional relationships, memories full of great emotion (Dinville C.).