Understanding Stuttering

What is a stutter?

Stuttering is a disorder that affects the flow and rhythm of your speech. People who stutter know what they want to say. But sometimes they struggle to get the words to flow smoothly.

Stuttering can show up in a few different ways. These speech irregularities are called disfluencies. You may experience some or all the following:

• Repetitions: Repeating certain sounds, syllables, or words as you speak. Example: “I saw a b-b-b-bird.”

• Prolongations: Drawing out one sound for longer than necessary. Example: “Tennnnis is my favorite sport.”

• Blocks: Pausing or hesitating to say a word or struggling to find the right word. Example: “I visited (long pause) yesterday.”

Signs of a stutter

You may also feel different physical and emotional symptoms along with stuttered speech. For instance, you may have body movements as you speak, such as:

• Very fast eye blinking

• Facial tension

• Head nodding

Physical symptoms might increase if you’re trying to avoid stuttering.

Another common trait is being afraid of saying certain words or speaking in specific situations. This might lead to avoidance. Feeling upset or frustrated can often make stuttering worse.

Understand the causes

There are a few factors that may be linked to having a stutter. Some of these include:

• Your genes. Stuttering can be passed down through family generations.

• Your unique brain structure may process language and speech differently.

• You may have developed speech and language skills more slowly as a child.

• You may have developed a stutter after experiencing head trauma, a stroke, or a brain injury.

Growing up in a difficult home environment may worsen a stutter. However, it is likely not the cause of a stutter.

Get a diagnosis

Most people who stutter show signs as children, between ages 2 and 6. It can often be hard to tell if stuttering will resolve on its own. A specialist called a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can evaluate you. They will usually consider the following when deciding on a diagnosis:

• Stuttering patterns

• Medical and family history

• Behaviors

• Emotions

• Any other important information about your lifestyle and environment

Seeking help early for stuttering can be more effective than waiting. You can ask your doctor for a referral to an SLP. You can also look for a specialist at local hospitals or universities in your area.

Choose your treatment

While there’s no cure for stuttering, it is treatable with speech therapy. The type of speech therapy you receive and for how long will depend on the type and severity of your stutter and your personal goals. You can work together with your SLP on a treatment plan as soon as you have a diagnosis. The objective of speech therapy should be to help you communicate more easily and feel more confident.

Speech therapy can help you find ways to manage your stutter and your feelings about it. With your SLP, and on your own, you can learn how to:

• Manage anxiety and frustration

• Make situations easier for yourself

• Use your breathing to help you feel relaxed and calm

• Find a supportive community

• Build your self-confidence

• Be patient with yourself

Find support

Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis for your child or you’d like to get control over your own stutter, it’s never too late to find help. Start by talking with your doctor about your concerns. They may be able to refer you to an SLP or a program that’s right for you. You can also connect to resources through non-profit organizations like the National Stuttering Association and American Institute for Stuttering. Be sure to ask about local chapters in your area. Finding support can help you reach your goals.