Speech is such an integral part of our daily communication—it allows us to convey our ideas to other people and connect with others. But what if your ability to speak is disrupted?
Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by repetition of sounds, syllables, or words; prolongation of sounds; and the inability to get words out, known as blocks. Collectively, these are known as disfluencies. The following types of disfluencies happen when someone stutters:
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Part-word repetitions – "I w-w-w-want a drink."
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One-syllable word repetitions – "Go-go-go away."
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Prolonged sounds – "Ssssssssam is nice."
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Blocks or stops – "I want a (pause) cookie."
Stuttering can make it difficult to communicate with other people, which often affects a person’s quality of life and interpersonal relationships. Historically, one of the most famous figures who suffered from stuttering is King George VI of The British Empire, who ended up attending speech therapy before his iconic address in 1939. The current President of the United States, Joe Biden, also had a lifelong struggle with stuttering. Nonetheless, stuttering is a common condition affecting 70 million people worldwide.
King George VI delivered a radio broadcast to the Empire on Empire Day, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Image credit: National Film Board of Canada. Still Photography Division. Library and Archives Canada, PA-122957 /
In conjunction with the International Stuttering Awareness Day, we hope this article brings more awareness to the condition, and encourages people who suffer from stuttering to seek help if needed.
What causes stuttering?
Contrary to popular belief, people stutter NOT because they are nervous, shy or self-conscious. While people who stutter may be nervous because they stutter, nervousness is not the cause. People who stutter can be assertive and outspoken, and many succeed in leadership positions that require talking.
Another misbelief: some have suggested that a traumatic episode may trigger stuttering in a child who already is predisposed to it, but the general scientific consensus is that this is not usually the root cause of stuttering. So what causes stutter then?
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the causes of stuttering are:
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Genetic factors — Since 2010, scientists have identified several genes that seem to be related to stuttering that runs in a family.
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Development of brain — Recent brain imaging studies uncovered that among children who stutter, their speech and language abilities are unable to meet their verbal demands, resulting in stuttering known as developmental stutter.
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Brain injury — Accidents and medical conditions such as stroke, head trauma, or other types of brain injury may cause difficulty in coordinating the different brain regions involved in speaking, resulting in problems in production of clear, fluent speech.
Stuttering is NOT a habit that people can break if they want to. Most people who stutter will continue to do so to a variable degree, even if they work very hard at changing their speech.
How is stuttering treated?
Although there is currently no cure for stuttering, there are a variety of treatments available. The nature of the treatment will differ, based upon a person’s age, communication goals, and other factors. If you or your child stutters, it is important to work with a speech-language pathologist to determine the best treatment options.
Generally, the treatment options of stutter are:
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Speech therapy with a speech-language pathologist
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Drug therapy — While there is no medication that is specifically used to treat stuttering, some medications that are approved to treat other health problems—such as epilepsy, anxiety, or depression—have been used to treat stuttering. These medications can only be prescribed by a doctor and often have side effects. Consult a specialist if you would like to learn more.
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Electronic device that mimics a hearing aid. It digitally replays a slightly altered version of the wearer’s voice into the ear so that it sounds as if he or she is speaking in unison with another person. This may improve speech fluency in some people.
Creating a supportive environment for people who stutter
Parents
As a parent, if you have a child who stutter, here are some things that you can do to make your child feel supported:
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Provide a relaxed home environment that allows many opportunities for the child to speak. This includes setting aside time to talk to one another, especially when the child is excited and has a lot to say.
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Listen attentively when the child speaks and focus on the content of the message, rather than responding to how it is said or interrupting the child.
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Speak in a slightly slowed and relaxed manner. This can help reduce time pressures the child may be experiencing.
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Listen attentively when the child speaks and wait for him or her to say the intended word. Don't try to complete the child’s sentences. Also, help the child learn that a person can communicate successfully even when stuttering occurs.
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Talk openly and honestly to the child about stuttering if he or she brings up the subject. Let the child know that it is okay for some disruptions to occur.
Healthcare professionals
Healthcare professionals may meet patients who stutter, and it’s important for us to demonstrate empathy and compassion.
A word from DOC2US
If you have any questions related to stuttering, you can consult our professional doctors and healthcare professionals on DOC2US. DOC2US is a mobile application that allows you to talk to a doctor or any healthcare professionals via text chat at any time and from anywhere. For better communication, you can even send our online doctor images or voice messages related to your medical inquiry.
Download DOC2US app on Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei App Gallery; or use our web chat at https://web.doc2us.com/
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Disclaimer: As a service to our users and general public, DOC2US provides health education contents. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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Cover image credit: Photo by Miguel Henriques on Unsplash
