About stuttering
Stuttering is a fluency disorder that shows up as interruptions in the rhythm and flow of speech. People of all ages and professions stutter – roughly one in a hundred adults, and a considerably larger share of children while their speech is developing. Stuttering is not an illness or a sign of lower intelligence, and it is not the parents’ fault.
What stuttering is
A person who stutters knows exactly what they want to say, but at that moment their speech stops, gets stuck or repeats. A block can be brief or very tense, and it is often accompanied by a feeling of losing control over one’s own speech.
Stuttering differs from person to person, and in the same person it changes from day to day and from situation to situation.
How stuttering shows
What others most often hear and see:
- repetition of sounds, syllables or whole words (“mo-mo-mommy”);
- prolongation of sounds (“ssssun”);
- blocks – moments when no sound comes out although the mouth is ready to speak;
- accompanying behaviours: blinking, facial tension, head or hand movements, pausing and substituting words.
That is only the visible part, however. Much more of stuttering is invisible to others: fear of speaking situations, tension, shame, avoiding words and situations, and the effort a person puts into hiding the stuttering.
What causes stuttering
The exact cause is not fully known. Research points to a combination of factors: inherited predisposition, differences in how the brain processes speech, and developmental and environmental influences. Stuttering is more common in families where others already stutter.
Stuttering is not caused by poor parenting, fear, shyness or nervousness, although stress and pressure can make it worse.
Stuttering in children
Stuttering most often appears in the preschool years, while a child is learning to talk. In some children it goes away on its own, and in others it stays. That is why it is best not to wait long if you are worried.
Talking to a professional (a speech-language pathologist) is especially advisable if the stuttering lasts longer than a few months, gets stronger, the child shows tension or frustration about speaking, or avoids speaking.
Stuttering in adulthood
Adults who stutter often face decisions every day that others never notice: will I answer the phone, introduce myself, order at a café, speak up in a meeting. Many therefore adapt – choosing other words, staying silent or avoiding situations – and so the stuttering becomes less visible but harder to carry.
Stuttering can affect education, work and relationships, but it does not determine what a person can achieve. Many people who stutter live full lives and communicate openly.
ARTS® – a therapy approach to stuttering
ARTS® (Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering) is a therapy approach developed by Prof. Vivian Sisskin. It does not aim for perfectly fluent speech, but for less avoidance, fear and shame, and for free, comfortable and open communication.
How you can help
When you talk with a person who stutters:
- listen to what the person says, not how they say it;
- wait, and do not finish their sentences for them;
- keep eye contact and speak calmly;
- avoid advice such as “relax”, “slow down” or “take a breath”, as it can add pressure;
- if you are a parent, show your child that their stuttering is okay and that you love and listen to them just the same.
Where to find help
The first step is a conversation with a speech-language pathologist experienced in stuttering. Support also exists for adults and families: the Horizons of Voice Association connects people who stutter, their loved ones and professionals, and regularly organises a support group and lectures.
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