Symptoms and treatment of Stuttering

Description

Stuttering is a speech condition that disrupts the normal flow of speech. Fluency means to have an easy and smooth flow and rhythm of speech. With the stuttering, the interruptions in the flow happen often and cause problems for the speaker. Other names for stuttering are stammering and childhood-onset disorder of fluency.

People who stutter know what they want to say, but have a hard time saying it. For example, you can repeat or stretch a word, a syllable, or a consonant or vowel sound. Or they may pause during speech because they've reached a word or a sound that is difficult to get out.

Stuttering is common among young children as a normal part of learning to speak. Some young children may stutter when their speech and language abilities aren't developed enough to keep up with what they want to say. Most children outgrow this type of stuttering, called developmental stuttering.

But sometimes stuttering is a long-term condition that is maintained in adulthood. This type of stuttering can affect the self-esteem and communication with other people.

Children and adults who stutter may be helped by treatments such as speech therapy, electronic devices to improve the fluency of speech or a form of mental health therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy.

Symptoms

Stuttering symptoms can include:

Having a hard time at the beginning of a word, phrase or sentence.
The stretching of a word or sounds within a word.
The repetition of a sound, syllable or word.
Brief silence for certain syllables or words, or by doing a pause before or within a word.
The addition of words such as "um" if you expect to have trouble moving on to the next word.
A great amount of stress, pressure, or movement of the face or the upper part of the body when to say a word.
The fear of speaking.
Not be able to communicate well with others.

These actions can occur when the stuttering:

The rapid blinking of the eyes.
The tremor of the lips, or jaw.
Unusual face of the movement, sometimes called facial tics.
Head nodding.
Tightening the cuffs.

Stuttering may be worse when the person is excited, tired, or under stress, or when you feel self-conscious, hurried or pressured. Situations such as speaking in front of a group or talking on the phone can be especially difficult for people who stutter.

But the majority of people who stutter can speak without stuttering when they talk to themselves, and when they sing or speak along with someone else.

When to see a doctor or speech-language pathologist

It is common for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years to go through periods in which you can stutter. For most children, this is part of learning to speak, and gets better on its own. But the stuttering that follows may need a treatment to improve speech fluency.

Call your health care professional for a referral to a specialist in speech and language is called a speech-language pathologist. Or you can communicate with the speech-language pathologist directly to arrange an appointment. Ask for help if the stuttering:

Lasts more than six months.
It occurs together with other speech or language problems.
Most often occurs or continues as the child grows.
Includes muscle stiffness or physically struggling when trying to talk.
Affects the ability to communicate effectively in the school or in the work or in social situations.
Causes of anxiety or emotional problems, such as fear or not to take part in situations that require talking.
It begins as an adult.

Causes

Researchers continue to study the underlying causes of developmental stuttering. A combination of factors that may be involved.

Developmental stuttering

The stuttering that occurs in children who are learning to talk about is called developmental stuttering. Possible causes of stuttering development include:

Problems with speech motor control. Some evidence shows that problems in speech motor control, such as time, sensory and motor coordination, may be involved.
Genetics. Stuttering tends to run in families. It seems that stuttering can occur from changes in the genes that are transmitted from parents to children.

The stuttering that occur from other causes

Speech fluency can be interrupted by different causes of developmental stuttering.

Neurogenic stuttering. A stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other brain disorders can lead to speech that is slow or has pauses or repeated sounds.
The emotional distress. The flow of speech may be interrupted during moments of emotional distress. Speakers generally do not stutter may experience problems with fluency when they are nervous or feel pressured. These situations can also cause speakers who stutter have major problems with fluency.
Psychogenic stuttering. Speech difficulties that appear after an emotional trauma are infrequent and not the same as the development of stuttering.

Risk factors

Men are more likely to stutter than females. Things that increase the risk of stuttering include:

A childhood developmental disorder. Children who have developmental conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism or developmental delays, may be more likely to stutter. This is true for children with other speech problems too.
Having relatives who stutter. Stuttering tends to run in families.
Stress. The stress in the family and other types of stress or pressure, may worsen existing stuttering.

Complications

Stuttering can lead to:

Problems of communication with others.
Don't talk or stay away from situations that require speaking.
Do not take part in society, school or work activities, and opportunities for success.
Being bullied or teased.
Low self-esteem.

Diagnosis

The stuttering is diagnosed by a health professional trained to evaluate and treat children and adults who have a problem with speech and language. This professional is called a speech-language pathologist. The speech-language pathologist hear and speak with the adult or child in different types of situations.

If you are the father

If you are the parent of a child who stutters, the primary health care professional or speech-language pathologist can:

Ask questions about your child's health history, even when her child began to stutter, and when the stuttering occurs more often.
Ask questions about how stuttering affects your child's life, such as relationships with others, and school performance.
Talk with your child. This may include asking your child to read-aloud to see the subtle differences in speech.
The search for clues that may indicate if the stuttering is part of the usual development of the child, or something that is likely to be a long-term condition.
Learn about your child's communication skills more broadly. This may include evidence of how well your child understands what is said and how accurately your child produces speech sounds.

If you're an adult who stutters

If you're an adult who stutters, your primary healthcare professional or speech-language pathologist can:

Ask questions about your health history, even when you started stuttering and when the stuttering occurs more often.
To rule out an underlying health problem. that could cause stuttering.
Want to know what treatments you've tried in the past. This can help you decide what type of treatment may be better now.
Ask questions to better understand how stuttering affects you.
You want to know how stuttering affects their relationships, school performance, career and other areas of your life, and how much stress it causes you.

Treatment

After an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist, can work together to decide the best treatment. There are many different methods to treat children and adults who stutter. Due to the problems and needs vary, a method or combination of methods — that is helpful for one person may not work as well for another person.

The treatment can not get rid of all the stuttering, but it can teach you the skills that help you or your child:

Improve the fluency of speech.
Develop an effective communication.
Participate fully in school, work and social activities.

Some examples of methods of treatment include:

Speech therapy. Speech therapy can teach you how to slow down his voice and learn to recognize when you stutter. You can talk very slowly and with care at the beginning of the speech therapy. With time, you can work up to a more natural speech pattern.
Electronic devices. Many electronic devices are available to improve the fluency. With a device, you will hear a delay of feedback that requires you to reduce the speed of his speech or the speech sound distorted through the machine. Another device copies of your voice so that it sounds as if you are talking with someone else. Some electronic devices are small enough to use during daily activities. Ask a speech-language pathologist to the guidance on the choice of a device.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of mental health therapy, also called psychotherapy, can help you learn to identify and change ways of thinking that might make the stuttering worse. It can also help to get rid of or improve on problems with stress, anxiety or self-esteem related to stuttering.
Parent-child interaction. To practice techniques at home with your child is a key part of how to help your child cope with stuttering, especially with some methods of treatment. Follow the guide of the speech-language pathologist to decide on the best method for your child.

Medicine

Despite the fact that some medications have been tried for the stuttering, and the studies continue, there are no medications that have been shown, however, to help the condition.

Coping and support

If you are the parent of a child who stutters, these tips may help:

Pay careful attention when listening to your child. Maintain natural eye contact when your child speaks.
Wait for your child to say the word that your child is trying to say. Not to go to complete the sentence or thought.
Set aside time when you can talk with your child without distractions. The mealtime can be a good opportunity for the conversation.
Speak slowly, in a hurry. If you speak this way, your child will be the frequency of the same, which can help reduce stuttering.
Converse. I encourage everyone in your family to be a good listener and taking turns to speak.
Strive for peace. It's best to create a relaxed, quiet atmosphere of the house for your child to feel comfortable speaking freely.
Do not focus on the stuttering of his son. Try not to call attention to the stuttering when talking with your child. In extreme situations that create a sense of urgency, of the pressure or the need to hurry.
To praise instead of criticize. It is better to praise your child to speak clearly, to draw attention to the stuttering.
Accept your child. Do not react negatively or to criticize or punish your child for stuttering. This can add to the feeling of insecurity and self-consciousness. The support and encouragement can make a big difference.

Connect with other people

It can be useful to children, parents and adults who stutter to connect with other people who stutter or who have children who stutter. Many organizations offer support groups. Along with giving support to the members of the group can offer advice and coping tips that you may not have thought about.

For more information, visit the websites of organizations such as the National Stuttering Association or The Stuttering Foundation.

Other services

In the united states, if your child stutters, your child may be eligible to receive speech and language services at no cost through the school. A speech-language pathologist can help you and the school to decide what services are needed.

If the stuttering is because of significant communication problems, you may be able to have reasonable accommodations in the work. These may vary depending on your job, but can include aids needed for the communication. Some examples are having the extra time to give speeches, speaking in smaller groups, or the use of audio or video recordings in place of in-person speeches.

Preparing for your appointment

You probably are going to first discuss the stuttering with your child's pediatrician or your family health care provider. Then, you may be referred to a specialist speech and language disorders of the flame of a speech-language pathologist.

If you're an adult who stutters, you may want to search for a program designed for the treatment of adults with stuttering.

Here's some information to help you prepare for an appointment for you or your child.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list that includes:

Examples of words or sounds that are a problem. Such words may begin with certain consonants or vowels. You can help to make a recording when the stuttering, if possible, to play in the appointment.
When the stuttering started. This may have started with your child the first word or the beginning of sentences. Try to remember when did you first notice that your child stuttering and if anything makes it better or worse. If you're an adult who stutters, be prepared to discuss what treatments you've had, the current problems and how stuttering has affected your life.
The medical information. Include other physical or mental health.
Any type of medications, vitamins, herbs and other supplements. Include those made regularly and included all doses.
Questions for the health care professional, or speech-language pathologist.

Questions may include:

What is the cause of the stuttering?
What kind of proof do you need?
This is a condition of short-term or long-term?
What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
There are methods of treatment other than the main one you are suggesting?
Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Feel free to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care professional or speech-language pathologist is likely to ask questions such as:

When did you first notice the stuttering?
Is the stuttering always present, or does it come and go?
Nothing seems to make the stuttering is better?
Nothing seems to make the stuttering worse?
Does someone in your family has a history of stuttering?
What is the impact of stuttering had in your life or your child's life, such as at school or in the work or to speak in social situations?

Be prepared to answer questions, so you will have time to discuss what is most important to you.