Pharmacological treatments, including any side effects
Gabapentin is one of the antiepileptic medications prescribed to stuttering children as
it acts on the brain's neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (Maguire et al.,
2020). This medication is associated with side effects such as fatigue, weight gain, dizziness,
and difficulty concentrating (Maguire et al., 2020). Also, Risperidone is prescribed to help
reduce dopamine activity in the brain and thus improve fluency. Risperidone is associated
with side effects such as emotional blunting, weight gain, drowsiness, and dystonia (Maguire
et al., 2020). Sertraline is prescribed to address anxiety symptoms among people with
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childhood-onset fluency disorder (Maguire et al., 2020). It has side effects such as headache,
nausea, insomnia, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction.
Nonpharmacological treatments
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the commonly used methods to treat stuttering
in children (Sjøstrand et al., 2021). It helps to identify and change thinking patterns that can
worsen stuttering. Also, speech therapy helps children manage stuttering by teaching
techniques such as fluency shaping, stuttering modification and delayed auditory feedback
(Sjøstrand et al., 2021). Moreover, parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) helps parents work
together with their children to create an environment that encourages fluent speech (Sjøstrand
et al., 2021). It emphasizes turn-taking, positive reinforcement, and a slower speech pace. Treatments for Childhood Stuttering
Also, the use of electronic devices helps to improve speech by altering how individuals hear
their own voice (Sjøstrand et al., 2021). Furthermore, support groups, provide stuttering
children with space to share their experiences and build confidence (Sjøstrand et al., 2021). Treatments for Childhood Stuttering
The criteria that need to be met for DSM-5 diagnosis of childhood-onset fluency
disorder include interruptions in normal fluency and time patterning of speech and
interruptions in fluency get in the way of academic or occupational accomplishments or with
social communications (SheikhBahaei et al., 2023). The diagnosis focuses on speech andlanguage evaluation, analysis of developmental history, neurological evaluation, andbehavioral assessment (SheikhBahaei et al., 2023). There are no known direct lab tests
required to diagnose stuttering. APA
