Stuttering is a communication disorder that affects fluency of speech. The disorder is characterized by disruptions in the production of speech sounds. Research suggests that rate and effort are critical to fluency, thus, a fluent speaker effortlessly produces speech at a rate comfortable for them. It is also defined as abnormally high frequency and/or duration of stoppages in the flow of speech.
Core behaviours/symptoms of stuttering include repetitions, which consists of a sound or single syllable word repeated several times, and prolongation, which is sound or airflow continues, however movement of one or more articulators stops. Another symptom is referred to as blocks, which generally is the last core behaviour to develop. These behaviours occur when the person who stutters inappropriately stops flow of air or voice and often the movement of the articulators.
Symptoms of stuttering can vary significantly throughout a person’s day. In general, speaking before a group or talking on the telephone may make a person’s stuttering more severe, while singing and reading may reduce stuttering.
Secondary behaviours are learned behaviours that are triggered by the experience of stuttering or the anticipation of it. Escape behaviours occur when the speaker is stuttering and attempts to terminate the stutter and finish the word (eg. eye blinks and head nods). Secondary behaviours may also include avoiding eye contact, leg shaking, foot tapping, hand tapping, and head nodding. These behaviours are absent during fluent communication productions.
The top three factors most likely to contribute to the cause of stuttering are;
- Genetics, approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who does also.
- Child development, children with other speech and language problems or developmental delays are more likely to stutter.
- Neurophysiology, recent neurological research has shown that people who stutter process speech and language slightly differently than those who do not stutter.
When treating stuttering the Speech Pathologist wants to help the client reduce the number and severity of stuttering events, and help the client reduce the number of maladaptive or defensive reactions to speaking and stuttering. Similarly, the client may need support to increase their speaking and social activity, help the client transfer fluency skills to everyday activities, and collect data throughout their treatment.
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