What age group is most likely to outgrow stuttering?

The age group that is most likely to outgrow stuttering is individuals identified as most children by 9 years of age. Research indicates that stuttering often emerges in early childhood as children are developing their speech and language skills. Many children experience a natural resolution of stuttering as they mature and gain greater control over their speech mechanisms.

By the time children reach around 9 years of age, the likelihood of stuttering persisting decreases significantly. This age range represents a critical period where many children complete the fluency development process. The vast majority of children who stutter during their formative years will cease stuttering within this timeframe, often due to increased language proficiency and neuromotor control.

In contrast, infants under 1 year are primarily in the babbling and cooing stage, where stuttering is not typically observed. Children under 3 years may begin to experience disfluencies, but it’s at the later stages of childhood—closer to 9 years—where most children will successfully navigate or overcome stuttering. Adolescents may still struggle with fluency issues into adulthood, making it less common for this group to completely outgrow stuttering as they approach maturity.