What We Know About Stuttering

Over 3 million Americans today stutter, but exactly what causes stuttering remains largely unknown. Right now, researchers agree on just four main factors that may heighten the possibility of someone developing a stutter:

• Genetics. Roughly 60% of people who stutter has a family member who also stutters.
  
• Child development. Children with developmental delays or other speech and language problems are more likely to stutter.
  
• Family lifestyle. Dysfunctional, high-stress homes or difficult demands from family members can worsen existing stuttering.
  
• Neurophysiology. Recent studies have shown that there are neurological differences in the brains of children that stutter.

​The severity of stuttering varies from person to person, but nearly all people have reported that the severity of their stuttering has “good days and bad days.” Certain events or circumstances can also affect how much people may stutter. For example, people who stutter typically don’t stutter when they sing! Researchers don’t have an explanation for why this occurs.

Stuttering in Children

Stuttering is relatively common for young children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old who are learning how to talk. For most children, the stutter will go away on its own once speaking becomes easier. However, some signs that may warrant an appointment with a doctor or speech-language pathologist include:

• A stutter that persists for 6 months or more.
  
• Significant anxiety in social situations or avoiding events where speaking is required.
  
• Other speech or language problems that accompany the stutter.
  
• A stutter that worsens as the child gets older.
  
• Difficulty with communicating effectively at school.

Neurogenic Stuttering

Neurogenic stuttering differs from developmental or neurophysiological stuttering because this type of stuttering only occurs after someone suffers an injury or disease in their central nervous system. These injuries and illnesses can include:

• Stroke.
• Head trauma.
  
• Epilepsy.
  
• Ischemic attacks, which temporarily prevent normal blood flow in the brain.
  
• Degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
  
• Brain tumors or cysts.
  
• Diseases such as AIDS, meningitis, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

People at any age can develop a neurogenic stutter following one of these ailments, but it’s been shown that elderly people are most at risk.

Symptoms and Difficulties of Stuttering

Regardless of how someone develops a stutter, the symptoms remain the same. Stuttering is classified as a speech disorder that impacts the fluidity of someone’s speaking. It disrupts a normal rate of speech and it can be characterized by repeating words, sounds, or syllables. Common symptoms of stuttering include:

• Difficulty starting a word or phrase.
  
• Repeating sounds, syllables, or words.
  
• “Broken word,” or silences and pauses for certain syllables or words.
  
• Facial tics, rapid blinking, or tightness in the upper body while trying to speak.
  
• A limited ability to communicate.

These symptoms are just the noticeable signs of stuttering. Children who stutter may be prone to bullying or teasing at school, and adults may find that stuttering can impact their quality of life as well. People who stutter have reported that it is difficult for them to form close relationships, that their ability to get a job in their desired career field may be affected, and that events like talking in front of a group or talking on the phone cause terrible anxiety. Significant difficulties in people’s social lives and mental health due to stuttering can include:

• Anxiety disorders or social phobia.
  
• Hostility, frustration, or anger.
  
• Low self-esteem and depression.
  
• Feelings of loneliness and isolation.
  
• Guilt and shame.
  
• Embarrassment and insecurity.

​Struggling with a Stutter?

Adults who have been struggling for years with a stutter may find speech therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy useful. It is unlikely that the stutter will ever completely disappear, but they can learn how to reduce stress, practice relaxation techniques, reduce the frequency of their stutter, and much more. Adults who stutter can also benefit from talking to a therapist about any psychological problems that may have been brought on by the stutter. Easing anxiety, loneliness, or feelings of anger can help ease the physical effects of stuttering as well.

Children who are having consistent problems with stuttering can be helped by a qualified speech-language pathologist through Oakville Wellness Center. It has been proven that intervention at an early age can prevent stuttering from continuing into adulthood.