Nightmare in the making...?

[devonshiredave]

So, our little girl (2.5 yrs) has developed a severe stutter/stammer over the last few weeks - having gone from a little chatterbox to a practical mute. She seems to be so pissed off with her difficulties in speaking that she has pretty much stopped talking altogether

I know that in developmental terms this isnt at all extraordinary given that many children go through it, but we were alarmed enough by the severity and following result that Mrs has taken her to docs this morning. Doc was very surprised how bad it had got in such a short time and has referred her to a pediatrician in order to get a CT scan - this worries me, what is he thinking may warrant a CT scan rather than referral to a speech therapist?

Am pretty upset by it all to be honest - just want my little terrorist back to her usual tricks. Anyone else been through similar?

Cheers

Dave

[Happy82]

I will have a chat with my sister as she is a speech therapist, you had any updates?

Hope everything is ok, when our son had his MMR jab we were worried as he went from chatting nonstop to saying nothing, thankfully he recovered!

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I am surprised the Doctor didn't explain and re-assure you a bit when he referred her for a scan, bit unprofessional maybe. Problem is GP's are seeing so many patients over the course of a day now, and can sometimes be a bit 'conveyer belt' with their diagnoses and referrals - time is of the essence, especially if they are behind because of a few late attendees.

But I can therefore understand your alarm, with a young child.

The biology of a child is quite different from that of an adult - firstly they can't really talk or discuss how they are feeling obviously, which with an adult is basically the initial way to start to diagnose an issue. Secondly, healthy youngsters tend to mask symptoms quite well sometimes, so that they may be actually quite ill, but not look too bad at first glance, with fairly stable observations, and then suddenly drop off a cliff and become very poorly, very quickly.

I think your Doctor is correct in making a clinical decision to check the physical things firstly, rule that out, and then look at therapies next, after we are all satisfied that there is no clinical illness, and it is a psychological issue.

It is unusual for a previously healthy child, with no previously identified issues, to develop anything physically serious out of the blue (unless they've suffered some kind of trauma like a massive bang to the head), so please try not to worry - the Doctor is basically 'covering everyone's arse' first and foremost.

Hope it all goes ok for you - when is the scan booked for?

Let us know how you get on, and best of luck

[davepoth]

I'd agree. If it's developmental, a couple of weeks here or there doesn't matter. It's better to rule out the possibly of anything physical straight away.

[Hackney]

No experience or knowledge other than to say:

CT scan - quick test, immediate results
Therapy - long term

Not exclusive, do both to cover all bases.

Hope it works out.

[russ_a]

My son developed a blinking tick when two - had it for about 3 months or so then one day just stopped.

I'm sure your daughter will be fine