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From: Woody Starkweather
Date: 10/3/03
Time: 11:00:27 AM
Remote Name: 216.240.100.76
Having a large vocabulary may itself put some strain on the word-finding process. Knowing words and finding them while formulating sentences are different processes. Word-finding problems do occur in some young stutterers. I wouldn't say that the word-finding causes the stuttering, but it might place a kind of demand on the child that interferes with the task of coordinating the movements of speech. Also, word-finding takes up time and may make the child feel that she has to talk faster to "catch up." It might be helpful, as a first step, to try slowing down the rate at which you speak when talking to the child. It will give her a sense that she has more time and may combat any sense that she has to rush.
Woody