Shelby County Moms Guide May 2014 | Page 9

A day celebrating mothers dates back to ancient times. But Mother’s Day only began in the United States around the year 1908. Do You Know What to Do If You Think Your Child Has A Stuttering Problem? Parents that have stuttering children should rest assured that most children grow out of it, often in a brief period of time, as long as the situation is addressed properly and quickly. If your child is below the age of five, you may be able to start addressing this problem yourself by modifying the dialogues that you have with your child. You can focus on speaking more leisurely with him or her, promoting a calm environment, and trying to help your child in a way that is constructive and supportive. Parents can arrange speech therapy if their children have been stuttering for more than a year. In Alabama, early intervention services are coordinated by the Department of Rehabilitation Services. Speech services can continue for school-aged children through the Department of Special Education. Did You Know? Moms in the Know Stuttering in children can cause terrible self-esteem problems over the long-term, if it is not dealt with quickly. Children may lose confidence in themselves during a critical learning period in their lives, and their stuttering may make things more difficult for them socially. Parents that offer thei ȁ