If your child has started stammering or if you stammer yourself, you may have lots of questions. What is stammering? Why does it happen? Is it my fault? Will it get worse?
I hope this blog answers some of those questions and offers some reassurance along the way.
What is stammering?
Stammering (also known as stuttering) is a neurological difference that affects the rhythm and flow of speech. It is a variation in how speech is produced (not a problem with knowing what to say or a lack of intelligence). People who stammer usually know exactly what they want to say. The difficulty is in the physical production of speech.
What does stammering look like?
Stammering can look different from person to person. Some people may repeat sounds, syllables or whole words such as “b-b-back” or “I-I-I want”. Some people may experience blocks where no sound comes out at all. Others may stretch out sounds in words, for example “sssssnack”. For many people, it is a combination of the above.
Stammering can also include physical tension. You may notice tension around the mouth, jaw or throat, or in other parts of the body such as the shoulders or hands.
What causes stammering?
The short answer is, we do not fully know. We do know stammering is neurological. Research shows that people who stammer have differences in how their brains process and coordinate speech.
The most common type of stammering (developmental stammering) is not caused by anxiety, trauma or parenting style. Children do not develop a stammer because their parents did something wrong. Stammering often runs in families, which suggests there is a genetic component. If there is a family history of stammering, a child is more likely to stammer themselves.
When does stammering typically start?
Most stammering begins in early childhood, usually between the ages of 2 and 5. This is a period of rapid language development where children are learning to put sentences together and express increasingly complex ideas.
For many children, stammering emerges gradually. You may notice occasional repetitions which become more frequent or noticeable. For others, stammering may appear suddenly. In some cases, stammering can begin in later childhood or adulthood.
Why does stammering vary?
One of the most confusing things about stammering is how much it can vary. A person may speak fluently one moment and stammer the next. Stammering can fluctuate and can be influenced by factors such as tiredness, excitement and stress. Sometimes it just happens and there may not be a reason why. The unpredictability of stammering can be frustrating and unsettling.
What stammering ISN’T..
Stammering is not caused by anxiety or nervousness. It is not caused by thinking too fast or by not thinking before speaking. It is not something that can be fixed by telling someone to “slow down”, “take a breath” or “relax”. Stammering is not a sign of low intelligence or a lack of knowledge. People who stammer are just as intelligent and capable as anyone else.
Is there an emotional side to stammering?
Stammering is neurological, but people’s experiences of stammering often involve emotions too. Children and adults who stammer may feel frustration, embarrassment, anxiety or shame, particularly if they have experienced negative reactions or misunderstandings from others.
It can be helpful to separate stammering itself (which is a neurological difference) from the feelings around stammering (which are often shaped by other people’s responses and wider societal attitudes).
Can stammering be “cured”?
There is no cure for stammering. Some children’s stammering reduces or stops as they grow older, but we can’t predict who this will happen for. For many people, stammering is lifelong. While this may sound discouraging to some, it is important to know that stammering does not have to limit anyone. With the right support, people who stammer can live full and successful lives.
What helps a person who stammers?
I believe it is about creating an environment where stammering is accepted, where there is no pressure to sound a certain way and the focus is on what someone is saying rather than how they are saying it. Speech and language therapy can help, not by trying to eliminate stammering, but by supporting confidence, reducing physical tension, developing self-advocacy skills and exploring feelings. Meeting other people who stammer can also be a really powerful and inspiring experience
What else should I know?
Stammering is a valid and perfectly acceptable way of speaking. People who stammer can and do achieve great things in life. Stammering doesn’t have to be a barrier. There are many people who feel proud of their stammer and there is a growing community out there who celebrates the uniqueness of stammering voices.
About Lauren
I am a speech and language therapist with over 16 years’ experience. My father is a person who stammers. I am committed to raising awareness of stammering (stuttering) and sharing the latest evidence-based updates.
Interested in learning more about my approach to stammering therapy? You can find more details here. If you would like to stay connected, you can sign up for stammering therapy updates here.
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