VOICE

Voice is the sound made when the vocal cords vibrate. Children can experience voice difficulties when the vocal cords aren’t working as they should.

Common voice difficulties include:  

• a whispered, husky or hoarse voice  

• frequently “losing” their voice  

• an unusually high or low pitch

Your child might need to see a speech pathologist if their voice is affecting school, they are regularly ‘losing’ their voice, the voice difficulty is getting worse, or you or your child are concerned.

STUTTERING

Stuttering is when the flow of speech is interrupted. Children may:  

• repeat sounds (b‑b‑but), syllables (win‑win‑window), words (what‑what‑what) or phrases  

• stretch out sounds (mmmmonkey)  

• get “stuck” with no sound coming out

Some children also show non‑speech behaviours such as body movements, facial tension or long pauses.

Stuttering can be mild or more noticeable, and it may change over time. If you are concerned about stuttering, it is recommended to contact a speech pathologist. Remember to give your child time to speak and wait patiently while they finish their message