The Truth About Stuttering: Essential Stuttering Facts
September 6, 2020
American Institute for Stuttering
There are many myths and misconceptions about stuttering, making it more difficult for those who stutter to receive the support they need from their families, educators, and medical professionals.
Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by the repetition or prolongation of sounds and syllables. Stuttering is a neurological condition that interferes with speech production, not an issue of intelligence.
In this article, we cover facts about stuttering, common myths, and ways to support a child or adult who stutters. Want to learn more about how the American Institute for Stuttering's stuttering therapy services help people speak freely, and live fearlessly — contact us online or call (212) 633-6400.
Stuttering most commonly begins in childhood between the ages of 3 and 4 years.
This pattern, known as developmental stuttering, occurs in young children while they are still learning speech and language skills. The precise mechanisms that cause stuttering are not understood, but research has revealed a number of possible genetic factors.
Neurogenic stuttering may occur after a stroke, head trauma, or other type of brain injury. An older adult may also exhibit stuttering related to changes in neurologic health or due to changes in medication.
Typical disfluencies, such as repetitions of whole words, are normal in all children. All people occasionally produce disfluent speech. People who stutter uniquely exhibit struggle-like behaviors like head nodding or eye blinking and engage in "mental gymnastics" to manage speaking.
Unlike people who do not stutter, they report feeling a moment where they are aware of losing control of their speech. Stuttering can change from day to day, and stress or excitement can exacerbate it.
Many people who stutter report negative thoughts and emotions about talking, and specific speaking situations they find demanding. They may feel self conscious and avoid talking, or may employ tactics such as changing words to conceal stuttering. Stuttering can affect a person’s self-esteem and confidence and impact their relationships. People who stutter often experience negative emotions such as anxiety or depression.
Children who stutter can be prone to bullying and young adults often report feeling mocked by listeners. This ridicule can become a source of trauma over time.
During an evaluation for a child, the speech-language pathologist will assess the child's speech and language skills, observe how the child stutters, and gather information about the family's history of stuttering, family dynamics and how the family and child are reacting to stuttering.
While environmental changes can help make talking easier for the child, there is absolutely no evidence that fast paced lifestyles or high expectations on the part of parents can cause stuttering.
Treatment for stuttering typically involves a team of professionals, including the child, family members, and teachers. The primary focus of treatment is to ensure maximally effective communication skills and minimize negative impact of stuttering.
Children who stutter need a supportive and understanding environment. Parents and caregivers can help by speaking slowly and clearly, and by avoiding criticism of the child's stuttering.
Children who stutter often benefit from working with a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with people who stutter. An experienced therapist will assist the entire family to support overall child development.
Stuttering is not caused by emotional trauma or bad parenting. People who stutter are not less intelligent or capable. Stuttering is not contagious or caused by imitation. People who stutter can pursue any profession they choose. While some people report that stuttering began with an emotional trauma, this is not considered a primary cause for stuttering.
The secondary characteristics that children or adults display such as eye blinking are acquired behaviors over time that the individual subconsciously uses to try to avoid stuttering. Stuttering behavior is variable and inconsistent.
People stutter in very different ways. Further, many people stutter quite easily in some situations while struggling significantly in others.
The Stuttering Foundation of America is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those who stutter. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) provides information and resources on stuttering. Support groups and forums can connect people who stutter with others who understand their experiences.
While stuttering primarily affects speech fluency, people who stutter may have other communication difficulties as well. Many children also exhibit difficulty with articulation of speech sounds. Other challenges can include language problems, difficulties with attention, or other developmental delays.
Stuttering runs in families and is a genetic, neurophysiological condition. An estimated 60-70% of those who stutter have (or have had) a family member with history of stuttering.
Neurophysiological findings suggest that people who stutter process speech and language slightly differently than those who do not stutter, even when they are producing fluent speech. (The Stuttering Foundation)
Early intervention with pre-schoolers is highly focused on helping maintain an environment that supports healthy communication. For older children, therapy will begin to focus on direct work with both the child and family.
A long list of very successful famous people including former presidents, athletes, and celebrities have all experienced stuttering. This lists includes Joe Biden, Emily Blunt, James Earl Jones, Marilyn Monroe, John Stossel, Bill Walton, Kendrick Lamar, Tiger Woods, Mel Tillis, Winston Churchill, Carly Simon, Annie Glenn, Ken Venturi, Bob Love, John Updike, King George VI, and more.
Stuttering remains highly misunderstood by the public. Media portrayals often perpetuate myths about stuttering, suggesting it is ok to mock those who stutter.
People who stutter are often able to speak more authentically and freely when speaking with listeners who have some basic awareness about stuttering. For this reason, stuttering self-disclosure and public education is vital.
When speaking with a person who stutters, listeners should try to keep normal eye contact and avoid guessing words or giving suggestions such as, “relax.”
While there are electronic devices designed to help people who stutter such as delayed auditory feedback, they are not miracle cures. Many people find these devices to be only minimally useful, or otherwise find their effectiveness short-lived.
If you or your child stutters, it is important to seek help from a qualified speech language pathologist (SLP) with expertise in stuttering. Fewer than 150 speech language pathologists are Board Certified Specialists in this treatment.
While there are no instant miracle cures, people who stutter can learn to speak confidently, and speak without struggle. Even older adults can benefit greatly from specialized therapy.
Stuttering is a complex and multifaceted condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
By understanding the facts, we can reduce stigma and promote support and inclusion for individuals who stutter. With the right resources and support, people who stutter can lead fulfilling and successful lives.
Children and adults who stutter deserve to be heard!
