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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll probably first mention your child's stuttering to his or her pediatrician or your family doctor. Your doctor may then refer you to a health care professional who specializes in treating speech and language disorders (speech-language pathologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down key personal information, such as when your child said his or her first word and when he or she started speaking in sentences. Also, try to recall when you first noticed your child stuttering and if anything makes it better or worse.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that your child is taking, if any.
- Write down questions you'd like to ask your child's doctor.
For stuttering, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What's causing my child's stuttering?
- What kinds of tests does my child need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- Is this condition temporary or long lasting?
- What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
- Are there any alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first notice your child's stuttering?
- Does your child always stutter?
- Does anything seem to improve the stuttering?
- Does anything appear to make it worse?
- Does anyone in your child's family have a history of stuttering?
- Has the stuttering affected your child's school performance or social life?
What you can do in the meantime
While you're waiting to see your child's physician, try not to draw attention to your child's stuttering. And, be patient with your child. Let your child finish his or her own sentences, and try not to rush him or her.
- Ropper AH, et al. Normal development and deviations in development of the nervous system. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3634622. Accessed July 12, 2009.
- Prasse JE, et al. Stuttering: An overview. American Family Physician. 2009;77:1271.
- Stuttering. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/stutter.htm. Accessed July 11, 2009.
- Stuttering. American Speech-Language Hearing Association. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/stuttering.htm. Accessed July 11, 2009.
- 7 tips for talking with your child. The Stuttering Foundation. http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=632. Accessed July 12, 2009.
