What is stammering?
Stammering, also referred to as stuttering, is a speech disorder characterised by disruptions or interruptions in the typical flow of speech. People who stammer may experience difficulties producing words and sentences. These disruptions can manifest in various ways, including repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words, prolonged sounds, and involuntary pauses during speech.
Stammering can vary in severity, with some individuals experiencing only occasional mild interruptions, while others may struggle more significantly with their speech fluency. It can affect people of all ages, from children to adults, with typical onset occurring between 2 and 5 years of age. While the specific cause of stammering is not yet known, it is considered to be multifaceted, comprising neurological, genetic and environmental factors. Approximately 8% of children experience stammering, and 1% of adults will continue to stammer. Boys are more likely to stammer than girls.
It is very important to note that stammering is not indicative of a person’s intelligence or capability; it is simply a speech-related difficulty that individuals may encounter.
The characteristics of stammering
- Repetitions: One of the most common characteristics of stammering is the repetition of sounds, syllables, or words. For example, a person may repeat the initial sound of a word, saying “b-b-b-ball” instead of “ball.”
- Prolongations: Stammering may involve the prolongation of certain sounds or syllables, where the speaker extends the duration of a particular sound. For instance, “sssssnake” instead of “snake.”
- Blocks: Some individuals who stammer experience blocks, where they find it difficult to initiate or continue speech. These blocks can manifest as silent pauses or a struggle to speak.
- Avoidance Behaviours: Individuals who stammer may develop avoidance strategies to circumvent challenging words or situations. This can involve substituting words, avoiding speaking altogether, or changing the topic to prevent stammering.
- Secondary Behaviours: Some people who stammer develop secondary behaviours as a response to their speech difficulties. These behaviours can include facial tics, eye blinking, or other physical movements that accompany stammering.
- Variability: Stammering can be variable, meaning that the severity and frequency of disruptions may fluctuate over time and in different speaking situations.
Living with stammering in childhood
Having a stammer as a young person, particularly in a fast-moving education environment can present unique challenges for both the child who stammers and their parents or caregivers. Here are some of the ways that stammering may impact children during development:
- Communication Difficulties: Children who stammer may find it challenging to express themselves verbally. They might struggle to convey their thoughts, feelings, or ideas, which can cause frustration.
- Social and Peer Relationships: Stammering can affect a child’s social interactions. Children who stammer can face teasing and bullying about their stammer, which can have an adverse effect on their emotional well-being. They might be hesitant to speak in front of peers due to fear of teasing or embarrassment, potentially impacting their friendships and self-esteem.
- Emotional Impact: Children who stammer may experience emotional distress, including elevated anxiety, frustration, and a sense of isolation. Addressing these emotional aspects is crucial for their overall well-being.
- Academic Performance: Stammering can indirectly affect a child’s educational progress. For example, they may avoid participating in class discussions or presentations, hindering their academic progress and opportunities for learning.
- Family impact: Stammering affects the whole family. Parents are often anxious when their child begins to stammer, and want to understand the condition and its impact on their child. Speech and language therapy services and charities play an important role in providing authoritative information to parents.
- Creating a supportive environment: Encouraging the child to speak without pressure and listening attentively can help reduce stress associated with stammering. Maintaining eye contact, waiting for the child to finish what they are saying, and not finishing sentences, indicates to the child that you are interested in what they have to say.
- Confidence Building: Building a child’s self-confidence is also essential. Recognise and praise their efforts in communication and emphasise that stammering does not define their abilities or worth.
- Education and Awareness: Educating teachers, classmates, and friends about stammering can reduce stigma and generate empathy and acceptance in the classroom.
With the right support, understanding, and intervention, children who stammer develop effective communication skills, lead fulfilling lives and achieve their potential.
Support available to children who stammer
Children who stammer can access various forms of support to help them manage their speech difficulties and develop their communication skills. Here are some of the key types of support available:
- Speech and Language Therapy: Early intervention through speech and language therapy can be pivotal for children who stammer. Speech and language therapists work with the child to improve speech fluency, develop strategies to manage moments of stammering, become confident communicators, and promote resilience.
- Psychological Support: Some children who stammer may benefit from psychological therapy to address any emotional challenges or anxiety related to their speech difficulties.
- Supportive School Environment: Schools can provide support by ensuring that teachers and staff are aware of the child’s stammering and are trained to handle it sensitively. Schools may also offer accommodations, such as extra time for oral presentations.
- Parental Involvement: Parents play a crucial role in supporting their child with their stammer. They can work closely with speech and language therapists to reinforce therapy techniques at home, create a supportive environment for communication, and provide emotional support.
- Awareness raising campaigns: Raising awareness about stammering improves understanding, challenges misconceptions and helps to change societal attitudes, reducing the stigma often associated with stammering.
- Technology and Apps: There are a number of apps and tools available that can complement face-to-face therapy by providing exercises and practice opportunities in a fun and interactive way.
It is important to remember that each child’s experience with stammering is unique, and the type and level of support needed will vary. Early intervention and a multidisciplinary approach, involving speech and language therapists, educators, parents, and support networks, can significantly improve a child’s ability to manage stammering and develop their communication skills.
Resources:
Action for Stammering Children
About Stammering/Tips/FAQs/Case Studies: https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/about-stammering/
Stambassadors (adults who stammer, offering career and life advice): https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/get-involved/stambassadors/
Support for parents: https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/support/for-parents/
Me & My Stammer (our recent short film about childhood stammering): https://youtu.be/vwV6oxu_6lk?si=jhpxtjglqLDNrjOs
BeneTalk
Penguin (a support app for families that we have endorsed): https://penguin.benetalk.com