What is stuttering?
How worried should I be?
Will it ever go away?
What are my options for treatment?
What causes stuttering?
Learn About Stuttering
And the list goes on...
These may seem like simple questions, but without adequate guidance, finding reliable answers to your concerns can be anything but straightforward.
In addition to scheduling your free consultation, see the information below for a helpful reference in your search for clarity.
What is stuttering?
Stuttering is a neurophysiological (involving the brain and its control over the body) condition that impacts the fluency or forward flow of speech.
To a listener, stuttering sounds like at least one of these:
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Repetitions ("b-b-b-ball", "lo-lo-lock", etc.)
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Prolongations ("ssssssnake")
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Blocks, or pauses ("w-----------ait")
- Almost always at the beginning of words
- Secondary (additional) behaviors may occur, including noticeable physical tension and/or unusual movements in the face, arms, or legs
To a person who stutters, stuttering often feels like:
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A loss of control over the flow of their speech
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Extra tension in the face and neck
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A sensation of "getting stuck"
Negative factors alongside stuttering may lead to:
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Frustration with communication
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Social isolation
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Decreased quality of life
- Not all people who stutter experience these, but are at a higher risk without adequate support
What causes stuttering?
There is no clear, well-understood explanation for what causes stuttering. However, based on current research, it appears to emerge and persist (in some cases) as a result of both genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic factors
Stuttering has a strong genetic component, but specifics here are unclear. Most individuals who stutter have a family member who stutters (or did as a child), but this link is not always present. Studies have shown small differences in the structure and organization of the brain in people who stutter. There is no link between stuttering and intelligence.
Is stuttering an indicator of a deeper problem?
No. Stuttering is not caused by anxiety, trauma, or any other mental/emotional difficulty, except in very rare cases. A separate (neurogenic) type of stuttering may be related to brain injuries, but this is also rare.
Environmental factors
Certain factors in one's environment may impact the frequency and significance of their stuttering. Exactly how these factors affect a person's experience with stuttering can be variable and often confusing - one reason why intervention with a qualified stuttering specialist is beneficial!
Will it go away?
Stuttering affects about 5% of young children and can emerge as early as age 2. Approximately 80% of these kids will see their stuttering go away by around age 7, while the other 20% continue to experience it. As this latter group of children continues to age, it becomes increasingly likely that stuttering will be a part of their life throughout adulthood. However, the amount of stuttering someone experiences may fluctuate often depending on a number of factors (for example, some people stutter more when they are stressed or under time pressure).
Important Note: Although there is much a parent can do to support their child who stutters, parents do not cause stuttering.
Will my child be okay?
Beneath the layers of questions about stuttering, we find the worries that all of us parents have when we discover something that alters our expectations for our child's development - will she make friends? Will he perform well in school? Will he be kind to his peers? Will his peers give him the respect he deserves? Will she be confident in following her dreams?
The uncertainty many parents and people who stutter feel about their/their child's communication may lead to these broader questions, and ultimately cause them to wonder if things will really be okay.
If this feels familiar to you - you are not alone.
Fortunately, the more we understand the stuttering experience, the more we find that not only can people who stutter be okay - they can thrive!