Risk of stuttering onset and persistence linked to early language skills: Results from the Generation R Study

These findings support previous studies indicating that lower language skills in early childhood add to the risk of stuttering onset, but not with the persistence of stuttering. This association does not imply causality, it only demonstrates the association. Therefore, clinicians are advised to screen language skills in pre-school children referred shortly after stuttering onset. Early language assessment may also reveal concomitant, clinically relevant language disorders, which are more prevalent in children already identified with one developmental concern.