stuttering all of a sudden

[J1972]

I have three children at home. a 15 y/o girl, a 12 y/o boy and two y/o girl.  I don't want to sound like I am "one of those parents" but the two year old is very bright. Even her doctors are amazed at how aware and articulate she is for her age.  She was speaking in complete sentences at 18 months and she can remember something you tell her for months afterwards.  Her brother used to scare her because he thought it was funny. now, it seems like she is afraid of almost everything One day she loves Veggie Tales, then the next night she is having a nightmare about Bob the Tomato. I mention that because I don't know if it has anything to do with her stuttering.

Three days ago, out of nowhere, she began to stutter and it is getting worse.  I try to calmly ask her to slow down and repeat herself.  Sometimes she does, and other times, she gets frustrated.

Oh, I forgot to mention that she is hypothyroid and I also may suspect a pituitary problem because she is TINY! I also don't know if that may be a factor.

Should she be seen by someone? Or is this something she will grow out of?  I just don't know how this just popped up one day.

Thank you!

[jdtm]

Our granddaughter did the same thing at the same age.  It was anxiety - whether her mind was working faster than her mouth or she was anxious in certain situations, I don't know.  I do know that the best thing to do (at this point) is to ignore it.  We deliberately did not draw her attention to her stuttering or did not ask her to repeat herself or did not ask her to slow down as all of these behaviours tend to increase the anxiety instead of lessening it.  It really helped and it was not too long that most of the stuttering ceased.  If she gets anxious in situations today (or excited), she will stutter somewhat. She is now three years of age.  By the way, most children with anxiety tend to be very bright.

I doubt very much if the "brother scaring her" had much to do with the stuttering, but it would help if he stopped this behaviour.   After all, she is just a little girl.  Unless you see additional signs of anxiety, there would be no reason to see a professional; stuttering at this age is not uncommon.  If it would make you feel better, then mention it to your family doctor on your next visit.  I wish you the best ...