STUTTERING, STAMMERING, FLUENCY SPEECH THERAPY

Stuttering is one of the most common communication disorders. An individual who stutters will have disruptions with certain characteristics in the way they speak. These disruptions or disfluencies typically involve repetitions (repeating parts of words), stretching out sounds or prolongations, and difficulty in physically getting words out (different than word-finding) or blocks. Blocks are when tension builds in one’s lungs or throat or jaw, for example. 

The patterns and degree of stuttering can be different for every person who stutters. It can even change from day to day as stuttering is often influenced by stress, excitement, anxiety, and other strong emotions.

Stuttering is up to three to four times more common in males than females. In the United States, it is estimated that among the adult population, about one percent or three million individuals have the disorder.

For most people who stutter, the problem goes beyond disfluencies and difficulties in verbal expression. Stuttering can take a toll on one’s confidence and self-esteem. In many cases, it can also lead to anxiety, fear of speaking, and embarrassment. 

The exact causes of stuttering are unknown, but it is often triggered and aggravated by strong emotions and tense situations. That said, stuttering is primarily neurological and physiological in nature. Research suggests that it may be a result of differences in brain activity that interfere with speech production. 

Experts have also pointed out that family history can be a factor as to why a person stutters. According to studies, the condition is often inherited, and many individuals who stutter will likely have a family member with the same problem.

For children aged two to six years, it is not uncommon to go through temporary periods of disfluency. But stuttering may continue for some children due to some risk factors involved. These risk factors are: 

• Gender – Studies reveal that stuttering is more likely to persist in boys than girls.
• Age – The condition is more likely to continue in children who began stuttering at age 3.5 years or older.
• Family history – Stuttering may persist for children with family members who also continued to stutter.

Periods of disfluency are normal in young children, but intervention may be necessary when the condition lasts for more than six months. Individuals who stutter will exhibit the following signs of disfluency:

• Repeating part of a word, such as, “I l-l-l-like your shoes.”
• Repeating one-syllable words, such as, “Do-do-do you want to play?”
• Prolonging sounds, such as, “Mmmmmy mom is here.”
• Blocks or stops, such as, “I’m going to (pause) school.”
• Getting frustrated when trying to speak in sentences
• Lip tremors or tension in the face when trying to speak
• Having difficulty speaking in social or public settings

Nodding, blinking, and avoiding or replacing certain words may also be exhibited by an individual as a way to stop or prevent stuttering. But these characteristics overlap with what’s called expressive oral language skills, so a licensed speech language pathologist can delineate if disfluencies are indeed stuttering or are part of oral expressive language. 

Like all other speech, language, and communication disorders, early intervention is crucial in helping a child overcome and manage these difficulties. If you are concerned about your child’s disfluencies, seeking the help of a speech-language pathologist (SLP) may be in order. This is particularly important if your child:

• has been stuttering for six to 12 months or more
• began stuttering late (3.5 years old or older)
• stutters more often
• has a family history of stuttering
• tenses up or struggles when talking
• avoids talking or complains that talking is too hard

During your consultation with an SLP, your child will undergo observation and evaluation. The SLP will conduct some testing and look at the following:

• types of disfluencies, which includes typical disfluencies associated with stuttering and stutter-like speech
• number of stuttering-type disfluencies exhibited by the child
• how the child reacts when stuttering
• how the child attempts to fix their speech

Parents or caregivers will also have to answer a series of questions, which will help the SLP gauge the child’s condition. This includes the family’s own observations on how the stuttering affects the way the child plays, interacts with other people, and performs in school.

The child’s speech and language will also be evaluated by the SLP. This includes testing the way the child produces word and letter sounds, their understanding of what others say (receptive language), and how well they use words to express their thoughts (expressive language).

Discover the different types and components of stuttering tests. To learn more about our Stuttering Assessment, click here.

Because the degree of stuttering varies from one individual to another, treatment strategies are individualized and aim to address disfluencies the child is exhibiting. Before designing the treatment plan, the SLP will need to consider:

• the degree of stuttering
• how the child reacts to or handles stuttering
• how stuttering affects the child’s daily life
• the child’s age
• how others react to the child’s stuttering

For preschool-aged children, treatment usually involves direct and indirect strategies. Direct strategies are techniques that will help the child change the way he or she speaks. Indirect strategies, on the other hand, involve steps that parents, teachers, and family members can do to make speaking easier for the child. An example of this would be asking fewer questions and speaking slower when talking to the child.

Meanwhile, treatment for adults and older children is geared towards managing stuttering. This includes techniques that will help them feel less tense when speaking, make them more comfortable in speaking situations (such as answering a call or ordering at a restaurant), and allow them to handle anxiety, stressful settings, and strong emotions.

• Treatment for Children: Professional treatment should begin as soon as possible because it is extremely beneficial in preventing long-term stuttering. A parent or guardian can assist children by being patient when communicating, listening carefully rather than interrupting, and reviewing their progress and feelings.
• Stuttering Therapy: An SLP can use breathing and relaxation techniques, learn to speak more slowly, and address anxiety issues with children and adults.
• Medications: There are currently no FDA-approved medications for stuttering, but some medications used to treat other conditions have been used to treat stuttering. Speak with your doctor or SLP for advice, especially if you are starting to experience any side effects.
• Medical Devices: Researchers are looking into medical devices that could aid in speaking fluently, such as those that could fit into the ear or using brain stimulation to help communication. More research is needed in this area.

In many cases, stuttering does not only affect a person’s ability to communicate effectively. For many individuals who stutter, the condition can also have a significant impact on everyday life. This is especially true during social or professional settings where one is expected to express thoughts or share ideas. Such situations can often lead to anxiety and stress, which can then trigger and worsen a person’s stuttering. 

In managing the condition, it’s important for someone who stutters to be able to express oneself without fear of embarrassment. Aside from seeing an SLP, an individual who stutters can also benefit greatly from support groups. These support groups can provide an encouraging environment where a person can interact with peers freely and gain access to other helpful resources.