Stuttering

Introduction 

Stuttering is a disorder that affects the fluency of speech. People who stutter know what they want to say, but have trouble saying it because the flow of their speech is disrupted by any of these behaviours:

• Repeating sounds, words or phrases (e.g. I I I I I can do it).
• Prolonging or stretching out sounds (e.g. Where's my sssssister?).
• Blocking (moments where no sounds come out when the person is trying to speak).

People who stutter may also develop non-verbal movements associated with their stutter (e.g. head movements, blinking, and facial grimacing).

• Stuttering can run in families. If a parent or relative (e.g. uncle, sister) stutters, your child has a higher chance of stuttering than someone whose parents or relatives do not.
• The exact cause of stuttering is not known. It is thought that stuttering may be related to brain activity that underlies speech production.
• Low intelligence, emotional problems, parenting style and personality type do not cause stuttering. Anxiety and stress do not cause stuttering but can make stuttering worse (i.e. a child may stutter more when they are anxious).
• Stuttering is not caused by copying children or adults.
• Most children begin stuttering between the ages of 2 and 5 years, when children start putting words together into short sentences.
• The onset of stuttering may be sudden or gradual.
• Not all children who start stuttering will continue. Some children who start to stutter will recover without treatment, while others will continue to stutter.  It is not possible to predict which children will need therapy and those who will recover naturally.
• In early childhood, stuttering is more common in boys.
• Stuttering can vary in severity over time, and even throughout the day.
• Stuttering affects speakers of all languages and backgrounds.
• Most people who stutter are more fluent when singing, whispering, and reading aloud with someone.
• Other factors can affect stuttering. For example, a child who is already stuttering may stutter more when they are: excited, tired, nervous, arguing, given limited time to speak, competing to be heard, or using complicated language.
• Some children who stutter may also avoid speaking in particular situations (e.g. on the telephone), using certain words, or speaking with some people.

If your child starts stuttering, it is recommended that you put your child’s name on a waiting list for a Speech Pathology assessment as soon as possible. While there is a chance that your child may recover naturally, it is not possible to predict which children will recover without therapy. Therefore, it is best to refer early as there may be a wait for Speech Pathology services.

Research shows that stuttering therapy has significantly better outcomes for preschoolers than it does for older children or adults.

Speech pathologists are trained to assess and treat stuttering. They are employed in community health centres, hospitals, and in private practice. Contact telephone numbers can be found in the White Pages or the Speech Pathology Australia website. Alternatively, if you are interested in research participation, you may consider contacting the Australian Stuttering Research Centre for more information on current projects.

Stuttering treatment aims to train a child to speak fluently and with confidence. Types of treatment vary according to the age of the child and the severity of their stutter.

The best practice treatment for pre-school children who stutter is called the Lidcombe Program. This program is a behaviourally-based intervention that trains parents/caregiver to treat stuttering at home. The children attend therapy once a week, and then practice daily speech tasks at home with their parents.  Parent involvement is essential in the Lidcombe Program.

• Early referral to speech pathology has the best outcomes for your child.
• While there is a chance your child may recover naturally, speech pathology intervention is very effective in treating stuttering in preschool aged children.
• Most children begin stuttering between the ages of 2 and 5 years, when they start putting words together into short sentences.
• Stuttering can run in families. If a parent stutters, the child has a higher chance of stuttering than someone whose parents did not stutter.
• In early childhood, stuttering is more common in boys.
• Communicate and talk to your child as you would to a child without a stutter.
• Do not act upset or annoyed, when your child stutters - this is not helpful.

• Speak to your local doctor 
• Contact your local Community Health Centre by searching online 
• Speech Pathology Australia, Find a speech pathologist 
• The Australian Stuttering Research Centre