Question

My child just turned five and has a very severe stutter when speaking, making it almost impossible to understand. How should stuttering be treated? Are there any effective medications for it?

Answer

Currently, there is no effective medication for treating stuttering, and surgery is not very effective either. Generally, stuttering needs to be corrected gradually through the patient’s postnatal training, requiring a strong willpower. Most people who stutter have insufficient tongue flexibility, and they need to train their tongue’s flexibility to resolve the issue. Cultivating a healthy personality in children—outgoing, brave, and confident—can help improve stuttering even if they have had it in the past, as their attention is not focused on internal feelings. Conversely, sensitive, timid, anxious, and shy children may develop secondary stuttering.