I once had a student who described stuttering to playing chess. He explained that making "one wrong move" could cause him to stutter, and that speaking was all about strategy.
According to the Stuttering Foundation of America, over 3 million individuals in the United States stutter, and more than 80 million people stutter worldwide.
Stuttering is often described as physical disruptions in speech. These disruptions can evolve into a complex communication disorder involving avoidance of certain speaking situations, poor self-confidence, and more.
One effective technique to manage stuttering when nervous is practicing breathing exercises. Deep breathing can help calm your nervous system and alleviate anxiety related to stuttering.
In this article, I explain:
Stutter vs. Stammer: What’s the Difference?
Stuttering and stammering mean the same thing. "Stuttering" is commonly used by American English speakers, while "stammering" is more common among British English speakers.
What is Stuttering?
Stuttering is a neurologically-based speech disorder that impairs an individual's ability to time and sequence the physical movements necessary for speech. This impairment results in primary stuttering behaviors such as:
Blocks: Difficulty getting a sound out
Repetitions: Repeating words, syllables, or sounds
Prolongations: Stretching out a sound
These behaviors can lead to secondary issues like:
Circumlocutions: Using indirect language to avoid difficult words
Physical Tension: Tensing muscles while speaking
Avoidance: Steering clear of certain words or situations
What Causes Stuttering?
Genetics play a role, as stuttering is more likely in individuals with a family history of the condition. However, not all stuttering is genetic.
Neurological factors are Important in understanding stuttering. The left side of the brain, including regions like the basal ganglia and thalamus, plays a central role in speech. These brain areas form a loop known as the "cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loop," which is essential for coordinating the timing of speech. In individuals who stutter, this timing mechanism often does not function smoothly. Studies have shown that children who stutter have less efficient brain connections in these regions, making it harder for them to perform tasks that require precise timing.
Types of Stuttering
Developmental Stuttering: This typically occurs in children during early language development. While many children outgrow it, some face lifelong challenges with stuttering.
Psychogenic Stuttering: This results from extreme emotional trauma or stress.
Neurogenic Stuttering: This Is caused by brain injury, stroke, or degenerative diseases.
Can I Fix my Stuttering?
Various methods like speech therapy, mindfulness, and stress management can improve fluency.
Can My Child Get Rid of Their Stutter?
Young children have a better chance of overcoming stuttering. As they grow older, the likelihood decreases, but there is still hope. Common programs for young children include:
The Lidcombe Program: Uses therapy sessions and parental observations to reduce stuttering.
The RESTART DCM Program: Focuses on reducing speech demands while expanding capacities for fluent speech.
The Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Helps parents identify and address stressors in the child's environment.
The Lidcombe Program and RESTART DCM show similar success rates, while the Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy needs more research.
Parents should watch for signs of bullying, as it can significantly impact children who stutter.
Will Practicing Singing Help Me Get Rid of My Stutter?
Singing and practicing singing will not improve your fluency. The reason why most people who stutter don’t stutter when they sing is because they bypass the feedback loop for speech in the brain.
Can Speech Therapy Help with Stuttering?
Speech therapy can help individuals learn techniques to improve speech fluency and confidence. Therapy offers personalized strategies and interventions to manage stuttering effectively. Success in stuttering therapy, like any skill, involves a combination of technique, practice, natural ability, and motivation.
Will Medication Help get Rid of my Stutter?
Currently, no FDA-approved medication specifically treats stuttering. Studies have found that people who stutter have higher dopamine levels in certain brain areas, but dopamine blockers are not yet approved to treat or stop stuttering.
Does My Child Need Private Speech Therapy if They Receive Speech Therapy in School?
Private therapy can provide personalized strategies and individualized attention, which may be more effective than group therapy, especially for children who might feel intimidated.
How to Stop Stuttering When Nervous
Manage Anxiety
Managing stuttering, especially when nervous, can be challenging. Both anxiety about stuttering and general nervousness can contribute to the frequency of stuttering. Fortunately, techniques to ease anxiety and improve fluency can be highly effective. Here are some strategies to reduce stuttering and boost confidence in stressful situations:
Breathe Deeply: Deep breaths can help release tension and signal to your brain that there's no need for fight-or-flight mode.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness exercises enhance your awareness of your speech and reduce anxiety. Staying present and focused on your words can improve fluency.
Tips to Stop Stuttering for an Adult
Use Effective Techniques: Work with a Speech-Language Pathologist to find techniques that suit you best.
Practice Deep Breathing: Helps calm your nervous system and improve voice steadiness.
Reduce Speech Rate and Insert Pauses: This allows your speech muscles to rest and helps maintain fluency.
Start with a Lower Volume: Gradually increase volume to reduce pressure on vocal folds.
Expert Tips for Parents of Children who Stutter
For children with developmental stuttering, it may be challenging for a family member to know how to react to a child when they stutter.
Maintain eye contact and an appearance of relaxation during all speaking moments
Therefore they feel you are listening and focused on what is being said (not how it is being said).
Do not make the word "stuttering" a taboo word in your home
Talk about stuttering like any other difficulty that a child may have (just like you would talk about asthma or difficulty with reading comprehension). Allow your child to express their own feelings about stuttering. This creates an aura that will be far less shameful for them.
Avoid interrupting your child while they speak
Children have a lot they may want to say so avoid interrupting them or finishing their sentences.
Slow your own speech down
Try to avoid cliché (although well-meaning) advice like: “relax,” “take a deep breath,” “think before you speak,” or “slow down.” Parents can slow down their own rate of speech by inserting pauses during every few words while speaking. The goal is for your child to hear you and in turn, slow down their own speech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any resources for people who stutter?
I highly recommend checking out the Stuttering Foundation and the Friends Support groups for kids, teens, and young adults. They also have groups for parents.
Speech Therapy for Stuttering in Skokie, Illinois
As a Skokie speech-language pathologist specializing in stuttering, my role is to truly listen to your needs and goals, both during and outside of therapy sessions.
For many who do not stutter, the primary goal of speaking is to be clearly understood. For those who do stutter, the focus can often shift from simply being understood to managing and reducing the occurrence of stuttering itself. My aim is to help you or your loved one move towards the goal of speaking is to be clearly understood.
Speech Therapy can help manage situations that make stuttering worse by addressing stress and anxiety, which are known to significantly impact stuttering episodes.
My approach centers around helping individuals who stutter to:
Enhance fluency and manage stuttering behaviors
Reduce negative reactions, such as tension and avoidance
Cultivate a positive attitude towards communication
Minimize limitations on activities
Alleviate the adverse effects of stuttering on daily life
If past therapy experiences have been discouraging, I encourage you not to let that deter you from seeking help. Contact me for a free consultation to learn more about how I can support you or your loved one in achieving communication goals.
I offer in-person speech therapy services for children and adults in Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Niles, and the surrounding areas of Illinois.
Online Speech Therapy for Stuttering Throughout Illinois, New Jersey, and New York
For those seeking support for stuttering disorders, I also offer online therapy sessions across Illinois, New York, and New Jersey.
Feel free to reach out to explore how online therapy can be a valuable resource in your journey towards effective communication.
Additional Speech Therapy Services Offered at Speak with Stephanie throughout Illinois, New York, & New Jersey
At Speak with Stephanie, we provide a wide range of speech therapy services for children and adults. For children, we treat language disorders, speech production challenges, and stuttering. For adults, we offer specialized support for communication difficulties, including language disorders, articulation issues, stuttering, and aphasia. We are committed to delivering personalized care tailored to each person's unique needs near Skokie or remotely, ensuring effective improvements in their communication skills. Our holistic approach promotes significant progress, helping clients thrive in daily interactions and achieve their communication goals.
About the author
Stephanie Jeret is a Speech-Language Pathologist and the owner of Speak with Stephanie. She obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degree from the City University of New York. She has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including outpatient rehabilitation, telepractice, skilled nursing facilities, and schools. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including articulation disorders, receptive/expressive language disorders and fluency disorders.