Stuttering
Stuttering is a "fluency disorder". It begins during childhood and, in some cases, lasts throughout one's life. It's characterized by disruptions in the production of speech sounds, also called "disfluencies." Stuttering is sometimes also referred to as stammering.
We all have disfluent speech from time to time but stutterers do it most severely, consistently disrupting effective attempts to communicate clearly. These speech disruptions may also often be accompanied by struggling behaviors, such as a tense neck, agape mouth, rapid eye blinks or tremors of the lips. Stuttering is a serious quality of life issue for many people.
Who stutters?
"Roughly three million Americans stutter and affects people of all ages. It occurs most often in children between the ages of 2 and 5 as they are developing their language skills. Approximately 5 percent of all children will stutter for some period in their life, lasting from a few weeks to several years. Boys are twice as likely to stutter as girls; as they get older, however, the number of boys who continue to stutter is three to four times larger than the number of girls. Most children outgrow stuttering. About 1 percent or less of adults stutter."
-National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
What causes stuttering?
Although the precise mechanisms are not completly understood, there are two types of stuttering that are more common: developmental and neurogenic.
Communication Disorders
Types
Developmental Stuttering
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Most common
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Occurs in young children still learning speech/language
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Occurs when children’s speech and language abilities are unable to meet the child’s verbal demands.
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Developmental stuttering can be genetic
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NIDCD researchers isolated three genes that cause stuttering (2010).
Neurogenic Stuttering
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May occur after a stroke, head trauma, or brain injury.
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The brain has difficulty coordinating the different components involved in speaking because of signaling problems between the brain and nerves or muscles.
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Rare
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Caused by emotional trauma
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Problems with thought or reasoning
(At one time, all stuttering was believed to be psychogenic, but today we know that psychogenic stuttering is rare.)
How is stuttering diagnosed?
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Stuttering is usually diagnosed by a speech-language pathologist (SLP), who will consider a variety of factors:
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child’s case history (when it began, under what circumstances, etc.)
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an analysis of the child’s stuttering behaviors
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an evaluation of the child’s speech/language abilities
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the impact of stuttering on his or her life
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family history: heredity/ genetic considerations
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assess if child exhibits other speech or language issues
Speech Language Therapy
Parental Encouragement
Drug Therapy
Electronic Devices
Self-Help Groups
Speech Language Therapy
There is currently no cure for stuttering, but there are a variety of treatments available, depending upon:
the severity, age, communication goals, etc.
Early treatment is best to help prevent developmental stuttering from becoming a lifelong problem. Certain strategies can help children learn to habitually retrain and improve their speech fluency while developing more positive attitudes toward communication. Treatment often involves teaching parents to support their child’s production of fluent speech.
Parental Encouragement
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Provide a relaxed home environment that allows many opportunities to speak.
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Refrain from reacting negatively to their stuttering. Instead, give gentle corrections/praise fluent speech.
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Be less demanding on the child to speak in a certain way or to perform verbally, particularly during periods of high pressure.
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Speak in a slowed and relaxed manner to reduce time pressure.
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Listen attentively. Don't complete the child’s sentences.
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Talk openly and honestly about stuttering. Let the child know that it is okay for some disruptions to occur.
Drug therapy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any drug for the treatment of stuttering. However, some drugs that are approved to treat other health problems—such as epilepsy, anxiety, or depression—have been used to treat stuttering. These drugs often have side effects that make them difficult to use over a long period of time. A recent study funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), researchers concluded that drug therapy has been largely ineffective in controlling stuttering. Clinical trials of other possible drug treatments are currently under way.
Electronic devices
Some people who stutter use electronic devices to help control fluency. One type of device fits into the ear canal, much like a hearing aid, and digitally replays a slightly altered version of the wearer’s voice into the ear which sounds as if he or she is speaking in concert with another person. Researchers are continuing to study the long-term effectiveness of these devices.
Self-help groups
Many people find that they achieve their greatest success through a combination of self-study and therapy. Self-help groups provide a way for people who stutter to find resources and support as they face the challenges of stuttering.
Interventions
Accommodations
Classroom Strategies for Children/Teens Who Stutter
Guidelines for Teachers of Students Who Stutter
Stuttering: A Resource for Teachers
Extra Resources:
How is speech normally produced?
We make speech sounds through a series of precisely coordinated muscle movements involving breathing, phonation (voice production), and articulation (movement of the throat, palate, tongue, and lips) (see figure). Muscle movements are controlled by the brain and monitored through our senses of hearing and touch.
What Causes Stuttering?
Secret of Stuttering: Dr. Mort Cooper on Curing Stuttering Naturally
Stuttering: Straight Talk for Teachers
Stuttering for kids, by kids
Conquering Stuttering: Anthony Robbins NLP Intervention Session
For More Information
A Compendium of Sources on ASHA's Website:
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National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
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International Stuttering Association
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