Definition of this type of stuttering, please?

[k]

I have identical twin boys that both have been doing this since they were 4 years old off and on. They are now 7 years. When they speak they seem to loose track or forget what they are saying. That is not as noticable as that they add "uh" quite a bit when they speak. I am having a hard time figuring out what type of stuttering this is. Their pediatrician said that they are over vocalizing, and they would out grow this. But they haven't yet. I have tried the library to learn how to help them. But I haven't seen anything that speaks of or refers to over vocalizing? Can anything be done for this? And is their a name for this? Like I said this is not your typical stuttering? Thank you for your help.

[Dee]

I guess I'm not really clear as to exactly what your sons are doing.  When you said they lose track or forget what they are saying, do they seem to drift off in mid sentence and never finish, or do they start to say something and then stop like they can't think of the right word?  The reason I ask is because my son has the kind of seizures where frequently when he wants to say something, you can tell the thought is in his head, but by the time he tries to say it he's already forgotten what it was.  His speech has been affected because of it.  Sometimes he has true stuttering - "d-d-d-did you know..." and other times he has dysfluency, that is his speech is choppy and some words are elongated - "wwwwwell".  Sometimes he goes up to the teacher to say something, but if he has to wait his turn to say it, then by the time she gets to him he's already forgotten.  His seizures are not under control yet and he has what is called Absence seizures.  They are usually very brief, seconds, and as many as a hundred a day.  Don't want to scare  you, but thought I'd throw another thought your way.

[a.__]

Dear K.:

I read an article that said that studdering can be worse at times (when the child is in a growth stage) and then get better.  Does this seem to be the case with your sons?  Do they do it when answering a question, which would require a brief sentence?  Or is mostly if they are telling someone something lengthy?  A speech therapist at our school said that their brains are processing the information faster than they can get it out and in time, it should get better.  I have seen it with children older than yours.

[k]

Would you happen to know of a site on line like this one, where you can post questions about speech? Thank you for your time and help.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear K,

I am not versed in the area of speech and language pathology, but would suggest that you have your sons evaluated by a professional in that field. Your pediatrician should be able to refer you.

Perhaps one of the readers of this Forum can weigh in with some information.