Stuttering is characterized as a speech fluency disorder where an individual may repeat sounds or syllables, prolong them, or struggle to initiate verbal communication. This condition affects both children and adults, raising significant concerns among parents and caregivers who seek professional intervention.
According to child and adult psychologist Dono Kulunchakova, the majority of specialists' consultations regarding stuttering involve children between the ages of two and six. At the age of two, a child's speech is merely developing, whereas at five or six, children face transitional milestones such as entering new kindergarten groups and preparing for school. For some children, these psychological transitions reportedly occur alongside fear and acute anxiety.
The expert emphasizes that stuttering should not be simplistically attributed solely to a child's timid temperament or fearfulness, as hereditary factors and speech maturation also play critical roles. During the discussion, particular emphasis was placed on unhealthy domestic environments, frequent parental conflicts, and undue pressure placed on the child, which allegedly exacerbates speech impediments.
Furthermore, the expert addressed the growing concern of children's excessive reliance on digital devices and gadgets. In numerous households, children reportedly spend the bulk of their day consuming animated media while adults neglect adequate verbal communication and engagement. Consequently, specialists allegedly encounter four- and five-year-old children whose speech capacities remain critically underdeveloped due to domestic isolation.
Source: kun.uz