Quick Guide to Stuttering

 

Stuttering is classified as a type of speech disorder, involving continuous and significant issues with common fluency and ease of speech. This can also be referred to as stammering or childhood-onset fluency disorder. The problem arises when a person knows what they intend to communicate, however, they have a hard time articulating it. This resorts in speaking with continued involuntary repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants.

Signs of Stuttering  

  1. Repeating or prolonging words, syllables, consonants, or vowel sounds.
  2. Pausing during their conversation due to problematic words or sounds.
  3. Difficulty starting words, phrases and/or sentences.
  4. Adding filler words to phrases is another issue, including sounds like “um”.
  5. Anxiety about communicating effectively.
  6. Physical movement accompanying speech such as having your eyes blink rapidly, abnormal facial tics, lip and jaw tremors, head jerking, and fists that are clenched.

These symptoms may worsen when a person is stressed, tired, pressured, excited, etc. Another common trigger is having to speak amongst groups. Although symptoms may decrease when a person is singing, speaking to themselves, or speaking in unison.

 Stuttering Causes

  • Abnormalities in speech motor control such as timing, sensory and motor coordination may be involved.
  • Genetics — stuttering tends to run in families.
  • Strokes, traumatic brain injury, or other brain disorders.
  • Emotional trauma — heightened anxiety or stress may be factors.
  • Delayed childhood development.

Stuttering Complications 

  • Potential struggle with communication
  • Anxiety
  • Limiting contact with others
  • Lack of participation and success
  • Low self-esteem
  • Being bullied or teased

How to limit or Prevent Stuttering 

It is normal for many children that range from two to five years of age to experience phases of stuttering. Many children are able to outgrow this non-problematic developmental stuttering as their language abilities strengthen. However, if the stuttering lasts for more than six months and is more frequent, speak to a doctor or call a speech-language pathologist.

Some types of treatments that adults and children will benefit from include:  

  • Using electronic devices to strengthen language capabilities
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Having speech therapy