An Overview of Stuttering
What is stuttering?
Stuttering or stammering is a speech disorder in which the normal flow of speech is disrupted. Sounds, syllables or words are frequently repeated (li-li-like this), or prolonged (lllllike this) . At times there may be abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables Sometimes an individual who stutters has difficulties in beginning a word. Stuttering may also be accompanied by physical tics such as rapid eye blinks, tremors of the lips and/or jaw or other movements in the face or upper body that occur as the person is struggling to gain control over their speech. Some situations such as speaking before a group or talking on the telephone, may make stuttering more severe. Singing or speaking alone, often improves fluency.
Who stutters?
It is estimated that over three million Americans stutter. It is a problem that affects all ages, but is most common in children between the ages of two and six, who are just beginning to develop speech and language skills. Boys are three to four times more likely to stutter. Most children outgrow their stuttering. About one percent of adults stutter.
What causes stuttering?
The causes of the various kinds of stuttering are unknown at this time, but many scientists suspect that stuttering may be an inherited trait. The most common form of stuttering is thought to be developmental in origin. It occurs when small children who are learning to speak can not fluently express what they want to Stuttering occurs while the child is searching for the correct word to say. This kind of stuttering is generally outgrown. Some stuttering is neurogenic, meaning it is caused by signal problems between the brain and the muscles and nerves used in speaking. Neurogenic stuttering can occur after a stroke or other kind of brain injury. A third kind of stuttering is classified as psychogenic, meaning originating in the mind or mental activity of the brain, such as thought and reasoning. A small minority of people who stutter suffer from this type. It is usually found in people with mental illness, or who have suffered severe mental stress or anguish.
How is stuttering diagnosed?
Stuttering is generally diagnosed by a speech-language pathologist, a professional who is trained to test and treat individuals with voice, speech and language disorders.. The diagnosis is usually based on the history of the disorder (when did the problem start, and under what circumstances did it occur?) and a complete evaluation of the speech and language abilities of the person that stutters. To locate a stuttering specialist in your area, visit this link.
When should I take my child to a professional for an evaluation?
Here are some warning indicators that your child may be developing a stutter:
- Repetition of a sound in a word five or more times (b-b-b-b-b-b-bat)
- Insertion of the "uh" sound in a word (buh-buh-buh-buh-bat)
- Prolongation of sounds (shhhhhhhhare)
- Self-consciousness, tension, irritation, frustration, or embarrassment when trying to talk
- Physical signs of struggle when speaking, such as facial tics, upper body movements, rapid blinking, or foot stomping
- Difficulty in speaking for three months or more
Source: Look Who's Talking:How to Enhance your Child's Language Development Starting at Birth
by Speech-Language Pathologist Laura Dyer, Meadowbrrok Press, 2004
Can stuttering be cured? How is it treated?
There are many therapies available that may improve stuttering, but at the present time there is no cure. In treating cases of developmental stuttering, therapy generally involves helping the parents to restructure the child's speaking environment to reduce episodes of stuttering. Suggestions often include providing a relaxed speaking environment with few distractions, practicing attentive listening, and refraining from being critical about the child's disfluencies. For other types of stuttering, medication may be prescribed, or electronic devices may be used to improve fluency. Some therapies focus on relearning how to speak, or in unlearning faulty ways of speaking. To find the best course of action, it is best to consult with a competent speech and language pathologist.
Sources: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/stutter.asp
and http://www.stutteringhelp.org/br_htr.htm
Speech-Language Pathologist and author Laura Dyer http://littlelanguage.com/
