Stuttering (or stammering) is defined as any disturbance in the flow and timing pattern of speech. These disturbances may include one or more of the following behaviors:
Audible or silent blocking
Part or whole-word repetitions (e.g., pa-pa-paper)
Phrase repetitions (e.g., what is-what is- your name?)
Sound prolongations (e.g., f-f-f-flower)
Broken words (e.g., ha-ppy)
Interjections (e.g., um, uh, like, you know)
Words produced with too much tension
Circumlocutions (i.e., talking around a certain idea)
Any form of struggling behavior associated with speech production.
Stuttering can be viewed as a developmental problem that often begins during the early years of speech and language development (ages 2-7). Onset is subtle, and most stuttering is usually first identified during the preschool or primary school years. Occasionally, stuttering arises in an older child or even an adult. It may follow an illness or an emotional event, and may also occur following brain injury due to stroke or head injury, though these instances are rare. For the majority of children, the cause of stuttering is not known.
Although stuttering can begin quite suddenly, it usually develops over a period of time and follows an unpredictable pattern. The child’s speech difficulties can disappear for weeks or months only to return in full force.
All individuals who stutter can speak fluently some of the time. Most can also whisper smoothly, speak in unison, and sing with no hesitation. Most people who stutter can also speak easily when they are prevented from hearing their own voices, when talking to pets or small children, and when addressing themselves in front of a mirror. These instances of fluency suggest that nothing is fundamentally wrong with the speech mechanism of individuals who stutter.
Students who stutter generally experience their worst moments under conditions of stress or emotional tension. Situations associated with increased stuttering include speaking in front of a group, answering questions in class, and speaking on the telephone.
Stuttering does not occur equally among the sexes. Boys are four times as likely as girls to stutter. The reason for this is not known.
Hereditary factors play some role in stuttering, even though genetic transmission from one generation to another has not been proven. Stuttering has been found to run in families. Children with a first-degree relative who is either an active or recovered stutterer have a slightly greater likelihood of stuttering than the general population. Nonetheless, environmental influences also play an important role in some, if not all, onsets of stuttering.
Stuttering does not come from imitating other stutterers. Although children often imitate differences they notice, imitation alone does not cause stuttering. If a family member or friend stutters, a child may temporarily imitate the unusual speech pattern. In time, the child will stop imitating the stutter and speech will again become fluent, as long as no one displays anxiety or discomfort or draws attention to it. If others become anxious for fear that the child will become a stutterer, the child may also become anxious and self-conscious about speaking. True stuttering might then result—not because of imitation—but because of the anxiety and tension created around communication between the child and family members. The intelligence of stutterers is in no way inferior to that of non-stutterers.
Emotional problems do not cause stuttering; however, stuttering may cause emotional problems.
It is estimated that 3-4% of preschool children and 1-2% of school-aged children stutter. Of these, approximately half will outgrow their stuttering by early adulthood. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine who will recover and who will continue to stutter into adulthood. Therefore, it is recommended that all children who stutter be assessed by a Speech-Language Pathologist.
For more information and to seek assessment and treatment for stuttering, contact:
International Stuttering Research Foundation
Kadavanthra, Kochi 682020
Ph: +91 98460 44004
www.stutteringworld.com
