What stuttering is:
It's a complex set of behaviors that interfere with normal, fluent speech. People who stutter may repeat syllables or "block" when they're trying to get a word out. Interrupted speech may be accompanied by eye rolling, blinking, head jerks or other associated behaviors. There are as many different patterns of behavior as there are people who stutter.
Incidence of stuttering:
If you stutter, you're not alone. Nearly 3 million adults in the U.S. stutter. Stuttering runs in some families and affects more men than women. People who stutter are a cross-section of society. Some are successful (like country singer Mel Tillis), others have been handicapped by their inability to speak normally.
What causes stuttering:
There's no single cause. Stuttering is influenced by psychological factors but is NOT an emotional problem or nervous disorder. It's not the direct fault of the parents or the child, and it's not a disorder that the stutterer can constantly control. Current research suggests a connection between stuttering and neurological coordination of the speech mechanism.
Stuttering in children:
About 1 out of 30 children stutter, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. About 75% of kids who stutter outgrow it. Today, there is much evidence that early therapeutic intervention is effective. At pre-school age, there is every hope that a child will recover from stuttering with early intervention and guidance. On the other hand, stuttering in school-age children can be more resistant to change. Some teachers, counselors and pediatricians still advise parents to defer speech therapy and ignore the child's stuttering in the expectation that it will go away. At one time, this was thought to be good advice. We now know that this is very bad advice.
What parents should do:
If your child stutters, seek an evaluation from a speech-language pathologist who specializes in fluency - the sooner the better. Public schools are required by law to provide treatment for children who stutter. However, school speech pathologists often lack the specialized training needed to effectively evaluate and treat stuttering. The NSA, the Stuttering Foundation of America and ASHA can supply information and help you locate a qualified speech pathologist. Don't listen to so-called experts who advise you to defer speech therapy until the child is older.
Adults and teens who stutter:
For adults who stutter, achieving and maintaining fluent speech is a life-long process. Speech therapy has helped many stutterers modify their speech. Maintaining fluency requires continuous practice and relapses are common.
Other approaches have used psychotherapy, relaxation, and even hypnosis and medication. A few people use a masking device that keeps them from hearing their own voice while speaking.
There is no universal treatment for stuttering. All types of stuttering therapy have been successful for some people, unsuccessful for others. A few practitioners take advantage of stutterers' desperation by promising a "cure" or "recovery." While their therapy often helps some stutterers, others are disappointed. Speech pathologists who are members of the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association (ASHA) are bound by a code of ethics that prohibits misleading claims or implied guarantees.
Speech pathologists:
Most stuttering treatment is handled by speech-language pathologists. A new board recognition program identifies specialists in stuttering who have additional study and clinical experience.
The National Stuttering Association:
The National Stuttering Association (formerly the National Stuttering Project) is the largest self-help organization in the U.S. for people who stutter, with local support groups in 80 cities. Organized in 1977, the NSA provides information, advocacy and support for people who stutter and the professionals who work with them. In addition to its local chapters, the organization offers youth and adult workshops, an annual conference and seminars for speech-language pathologists. |
