Find Your Voice: Stuttering Support at the Speech-Language Institute

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), stuttering is defined as an interruption in the forward flow of speaking due to a person having an atypical rate and/or rhythm to their speech. 

These disfluencies can be characterized by several different types of stuttering, including repetitions of sounds, syllables, words, and phrases. In addition, speech can include prolongations of sounds and blocks (prevention of speech due to a “block” somewhere along the vocal tract).

“These disfluencies can cause excessive tension, struggle to speak, avoidance of speaking in certain situations and/or can be accompanied by ‘secondary’ mannerisms, such as eye blinking and finger or foot tapping, that accompany the stuttering moment,” said Susanne L. Kelly, MA, CCC-SLP, clinical educator at the Speech-Language Institute (SLI) of Drexel University.

Causes of Stuttering

Stuttering is both a neurological and genetic condition, and it tends to run in families, according to Kelly. People who stutter can have emotional, social, psychological and functional impacts in their lives due to the communication disorder.  

However, it is important to note those factors do not cause the stuttering. Rather, research shows environmental factors (e.g., speaking demands) can make the symptoms worse and impact the person’s reaction to their stuttering, but the cause of stuttering itself is biological in nature.

According to the National Stuttering Association, an estimated 1% of the world’s population stutters. However, according to ASHA, the incidence of stuttering varies by age. False assumptions can be made about stuttering, which can cause discrimination and prejudice against those who stutter and insecurities for those who are affected.

Myths about Stuttering

Some myths about stuttering are

• People who stutter are less intelligent
• People who stutter are shy
• People stutter because they’re nervous
• People who stutter need to slow down
• Stuttering is a habit that people can break if they want to
• Stuttering is something that can be “caught” by hearing it or through imitation

Treatment

While there is no cure for stuttering, therapies can help children and adults manage the condition. For children, therapy is focused on improving speech fluency by improving the management of disfluencies, reducing the tension and struggle associated with stuttering, and reducing the avoidance of speaking situations that can accompany the stuttering. In addition, therapy is focused on developing positive attitudes and abilities toward communication. Early treatment of childhood stuttering may prevent it from becoming a lifelong problem.

For teens and adults, therapies focus on many of the same tenets as for children, but, in addition, therapy is focused on attempting to minimize stuttering by regulating breathing and teaching specific fluency techniques to a greater degree that help minimize the symptoms. In addition, the focus is more on addressing factors that help those who stutter cope with the anxiety they feel in certain speaking situations. Dealing with the negative reactions that may have developed, over time, in the teen or adult’s life, is a key part of stuttering therapy.

“Stuttering isn’t something people should be ashamed of. We should raise awareness about how these myths are untrue and harmful to those who stutter,” said Kelly.

If you would like more information or know someone who is affected by stuttering, contact the Speech-Language Institute (SLI) at 215.780.3150 to schedule an appointment.