What is Stuttering: Its Types, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Image Caption: Frontiers

We all have times when we do not speak smoothly. We may add “uh” or “you know” to what we say. Or, we may say a sound or word more than once. These are called disfluencies. 

People who stutter may have more disfluencies and different types of disfluencies. They may repeat parts of words (repetitions), stretch a sound out for a long time (prolongations), or have a hard time getting a word out (blocks).

There are three types of stuttering:

·   Developmental: Most common in children younger than 5 years old, particularly males, this type occurs as they develop their speech and language abilities. …

·   Neurogenic: Signal abnormalities between the brain and nerves or muscles cause this type.

·   Psychogenic:  Psychogenic stuttering can be caused by emotional trauma or problems with thought or reasoning. At one time, all stuttering was believed to be psychogenic, but today we know that psychogenic stuttering is rare.

Signs and Symptoms of Stuttering

The following typical disfluencies happen to many of us and are not stuttering:

• Adding a sound or word, called an interjection – “I um need to go                  home.”

• Repeating whole words – “Well well, I don’t agree with you.”

• Repeating phrases – “He is–he is 4 years old.”

• Changing the words in a sentence, called revision – “I had–I lost my  tooth.”

• Not finishing a thought – “His name is . . . I can’t remember.”

The following types of disfluencies happen when someone stutters:

•     Part-word repetitions – “I w-w-w-want a drink.”

•     One-syllable word repetitions – “Go-go-go away.”

•     Prolonged sounds – “Ssssssssam is nice.”

•     Blocks or stops – “I want a (pause) cookie.”

Image Source: ENT Wellbeing Sydney

Causes of Stuttering

Stuttering usually starts between 2 and 6 years of age. Many children go through normal periods of disfluency lasting less than 6 months. Stuttering lasting longer than this may need treatment.

There is no one cause of stuttering. Possible causes include the following:

• Family history: Many people who stutter have a family member who also stutters.

• Brain differences: People who stutter may have small differences in the way their brain works during speech.

• You cannot always know which children will continue to stutter, but the following factors may place them at risk

• Gender: Boys are more likely to continue stuttering than girls.  Data are currently limited to individuals who identify as male or female.

• Age when stuttering began: Children who start stuttering at age 3½ or later are more likely to continue stuttering.

• Family recovery patterns: Children with family members who continued to stutter are also more likely to continue.

Image Source: Medium

Treatment For Stuttering

There are different ways to help with stuttering. A treatment team usually includes you, your child, other family members, and your child’s teacher. Treatment will depend on one or more of the following:

•   How much your child stutters
•   How your child reacts when stuttering
•   How stuttering impacts your child’s everyday life
•   How others react to your child when they stutter
•   Your child’s age

Seeing A Professional

If you think your child stutters, get help from an SLP as early as possible. Early help can reduce the chances that your child will keep stuttering. Contact an SLP if any of the following things happen:

•        Your child’s stuttering has lasted for 6–12 months or more.
•        Your child starts to stutter late (after 3½ years old). 
•        Your child starts to stutter more often.
•        Your child tenses up or struggles when talking.
•        Your child avoids talking or says it is too hard to talk.
•        There is a family history of stuttering.

Written By - Violet Priscilla S

Edited By - Anamika Malik