Frequently Asked Questions About Stuttering

Most people don’t give much thought to their speech.

It’s just something we do, to get on with our days.

However, for people with speech disorders a lot more thought goes into every single interaction.

One of these speech disorders is stuttering.

Stuttering occurs in both children and adults.

Due to this, pediatric speech therapy may benefit your child who stutters.

However, stuttering can affect adults as well.

As a result, speech therapy for a stutter often also includes speech-language therapy for adults of all ages.

We’re District Speech and we provide speech therapy in Washington DC and surrounding area.

Today we want to address some common questions related to stuttering and how both adults and children can get the help they need to overcome this speech condition.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Is Stuttering?

A stutter is classified as a communication deficit, a fluency disorder, and a speech disorder.

It is the most common type of fluency disorder.

The word “fluency” involves having a smooth flow and rhythm to your speech.

If you have a stuttering disorder, your normal flow of speech is usually disrupted in some way.

This can cause challenges with communication.

In most cases, people who stutter know what they want to say.

The challenge is in getting the words out.

Stuttering is characterized by:

• Repeating words or sounds in speech
• Interruptions or halting speech
• Prolongations or stretching out speech
• Uneven speech rate
• Difficult starting words
• Adding filler words such as “um” and “like” often
• Anxiety around speaking

This can sound like speech which is interrupted or blocked (a long delay between words), repetitions (such as “he-he-hello”), and prolonged sounds (hiiiiiii).

These issues are called “disfluencies”, and although each is different, they are all forms of stuttering.

Stuttering may also be accompanied by facial tics such as unusual eye movements.

Is Stuttering Common?

Stuttering is one of the most common speech disorders in the US.

The prevalence for stuttering is eighty million people across the world, or roughly one percent of the population.

In the United States population this translates to approximately three million Americans who stutter.

Stuttering is four times more prevalent in men than in women.

This prevalence is higher in children, as statistics for stuttering in kids show that stuttering occurs in about 5% of children for 6 months or more.

Some children who stutter in childhood will eventually outgrow it.

Early intervention speech therapy is important if you notice your child stutters.

What Causes Stuttering?

There is no one single cause of stuttering which has been identified.

Researchers continue to conduct studies to determine the underlying cause.

It’s believed to be a combination of a number of factors including:

• Changes in genes passed from parent to child
• Physiological factors
• Certain neurodevelopmental conditions
• Experiential factors
• Environmental stressors
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Intellectual disabilities
• Brain physiology
• Drug use
• Dysarthia
• Childhood apraxia of speech
• Autism spectrum disorder

RELATED: Does ADHD Cause Stuttering?

When Does Stuttering Begin?

In most cases, stuttering starts in childhood, between the ages of two and six.

Many children will experience normal periods of disfluency that typically last less than 6 months.

This may go away on its own.

However, if it lasts longer than this, it is important to seek out speech therapy for children who stutter.

If your child receives treatment early enough, results tend to be more effective.

Adults may also develop a stutter later in life, due to factors such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Stuttering will often appear when one is expected to communicate at a rate faster than they are able to or under high pressure situations.

Often, when a child’s ability to control their speech catches up with the demand placed on them, stuttering will cease on its own.

Is Stuttering Linked With Emotional Issues?

There are two sides to look at when discussing stuttering as related to emotional issues.

Firstly, there is no evidence to suggest individuals who stutter are more emotionally insecure than those who don’t.

That is to say, it’s unlikely emotional issues are the cause of stuttering.

However, individuals who stutter may be more likely to lack confidence and remove themselves from social situations, as a result of embarrassment over their stutter.

Emotional issues may therefore result in a person who stutters.

Likewise, stuttering can also be made worse if you already have a stutter and are experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety.

RELATED: When Should I Take My Child To An SLP? Red Flags For Speech & Language Development

Is There A Cure For Stuttering?

There is no one single cure for stuttering.

Anyone claiming they have a “miracle cure” to stop stuttering is selling snake oil, and this should be a red flag to run the other way.

Can Stuttering Be Treated?

The treatment for stuttering will depend on the age of the person seeking treatment, the severity of the condition, and other health factors.

Early treatment for kids may prevent stuttering from progressing into adulthood.

Although there is no single cure for stuttering, there are speech therapy treatments which can help improve speech fluency, confidence, and communication skill deficits in adults and children.

There are various techniques that may help your child cope with their stuttering or improve their stuttering.

Here are some ways you can help if you know some who stutters:

• Create a calm environment
• Encourage talking
• Provide praise and avoid negativity
• Don’t say the words for your child before they do
• Speak slowly to your child
• Discuss the stuttering with a teacher

Should I Seek Treatment For Stuttering For My Child?

The early warning signs of stuttering include:

• Repeating sounds or words
• Difficulty starting a phrase or sentence
• Broken words
• Anxiety around speaking
• Struggle to create sounds
• Increased stuttering when stressed
• Using interjections such as “like” and “um” often

If your child is showing these early signs of stuttering, early intervention is important.

If it lasts longer than three to six months, or stuttering seems to be more severe, it’s best to seek the help of a speech therapist sooner rather than later.

This is because early intervention speech therapy tends to have much better results than waiting until your child is older.

How Does Speech Therapy Treatment For Stuttering Work?

The specific speech therapy treatments for stuttering will vary based on the needs of the child, including their age, and how severe stuttering is when treatment is sought.

It will often involve giving parents strategies which can be done at home to help strengthen fluency.

Treatment will generally take longer the older a child is, and individuals who don’t start therapy until a later age may never reach full fluency.

These kids can still learn strategies to help them have better control over their speech.

Book Your Appointment With District Speech Today

Is your child showing signs of stuttering?

Or perhaps you’re an adult who has dealt with stuttering your whole life, and want to take control to help you get your confidence back.

Whatever the issues, we’re District Speech and we can help.

Servicing Washington DC and the surrounding area, we offer speech therapy services for both adults and children.

Book your appointment with District Speech today.