My child has started to stutter. How should I respond?

Stuttering tends to appear around when a child begins speaking two- to three-word phrases; even among typically developing young children, around 8% experience it, and 70–80% of them naturally outgrow it within a few years. Children with Down syndrome are said to be more likely to stutter than average, but the symptoms seem unlikely to worsen, and it can even ease as language develops. The approach is the same as for stuttering in general: (1) speak slowly yourself; (2) don't give instructions about how to talk, like "say it slowly"; (3) wait until your child finishes on their own. If it lasts a long time or gets stronger, there are specialized intervention methods, so consult an ST.