A Guide To Understanding Stuttering
WHAT IS A STUTTER?
A stutter (also called stammering) is a speech disorder that affects how smoothly a person talks, and is one of the most known and recognisable speech and communication impairments.
As a recognised speech disorder, a stutter can present in a variety of ways and with varying degrees of severity. It is a speech disorder that interrupts the rhythm and/or the flow of one’s speech, and can impair one’s ability to communicate confidently and clearly.
There are several ways in which a stutter can affect one’s ability to communicate. Instead of speaking in a steady flow, someone who stutters may have:
- Prolongations – this is when a sound or part of a word is stretched out for longer than normal (e.g., “ssssun”).
- Blocks – a block is when a person is quiet or silent and often seems to be struggling to get a word, letter, sound or phrase out.
- Repetitions – a repetition of a sound, letter, syllable, word or phrase can happen just once or many times (e.g., “b-b-b-ball”).
TYPES OF REPETITION STUTTERS
There are a number of ways in which one can stutter.
1. Sound and letter repetition
Some stutters present through the repetition of individual letters in a sentence or sounds.
For example, b-b-ball.
2. Syllable repetition
For some people experiencing stuttering, they might stutter across multiple letters and sounds, and repeat an entire syllable.
For example, ju-ju-jump.
3. Word repetition
Sometimes, a stutter can cause one to repeat entire words.
For example, up-up-up.
4. Phrase repetition
While more people are familiar with shorter sound, letter or syllable repetition, even small phrases can be repeated as part of a stutter.
For example, I-need I-need I-need.
OTHER BEHAVAVIOURS ASSOCIATED WITH STUTTERING
- Using filler words e.g. “like” or “you know”
- Saying “um”, “uh” or “er” an unusual amount
- Pausing excessively
- Grunting, sighing or making other noises
- Non-verbal communication behaviours e.g. blinking or grimacing
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
Speech in general is generated through precisely coordinated and synchronised muscle movements and breathing. As we learn to speak, we develop the intuitive ability to use our throat, lips, tongue, palate, muscles and brain in unison to produce sounds and articulate ourselves.
While the exact and direct cause of a stutter remains unknown, it is believed to be linked to differences in how the brain processes speech. It can:
- Be due to brain development – starting in early childhood (very common in young children)
- Be an inherited condition – often runs in families due to genetics
- Be influenced by stress or pressure (though stress doesn’t cause it)
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
- A stutter is not generally caused by stress or anxiety whether induced by a particular person, situation or event
- Stuttering is not caused by low intelligence
- Many people who stutter communicate very effectively
- It can improve over time or with speech therapy
WHO CAN EXPERIENCE STUTTERING?
Stutters can affect people of any age and can develop both suddenly or gradually over time.
1 in 20 people experience stuttering at some point in their life.
Stutters most commonly develop around the age of three and can vary in frequency or severity over time. Sometimes it might even get better before it gets worse and vice versa. For some kids, their stutter will go away naturally and without the need for intervention.
For others, their stutter may recover without therapy but over several years. it can be hard to tell which children will recover without intervention and which children need therapy. What is important to note is that once a child reaches their teenage and especially adult years, the likelihood of a natural, independent recovery is much less.
8.5% of kids aged three years old experience some form of stuttering.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF A SUTTER?
Stutters can affect children and people in a variety of ways.
It can cause:
- Negative reactions from other people and peers.
- One to develop a negative attitude themselves.
- Social issues, such as teasing and bullying.
- One to avoid speaking in certain or most situations.
- Low self-esteem development.
- Increased levels of anxiety and stress.
- Inhibited development and opportunity socially, educationally and occupationally.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT MY STUTTER?
Stuttering is most often treated through speech therapy, with the approach depending on the person’s age, how severe the stutter is, and how much it affects daily life.
Speech pathologists – sometimes referred to as speech therapists–are trained, certified and professionally experienced in assessing, treating and managing stutters.
They use a wide range of testing techniques, methods, and therapy activities to both understand their clients’ communication and speech issues and propose helpful therapy.
1. Speech therapy (primary treatment)
A speech pathologist (speech-language therapist) can help with:
- Fluency shaping techniques
Learning ways to speak more smoothly, such as:- Slowing speech rate
- Gentle starts to words
- Controlled breathing while speaking
- Stuttering modification techniques
Learning how to manage moments of stuttering with less tension or frustration, rather than trying to eliminate them completely. - Confidence and communication strategies
Building comfort with speaking in conversations, presentations, or social settings.
2. Parent-based support (for children)
For young children, therapy often involves coaching parents to:
- Reduce pressure around speaking
- Model slower, calm conversation
- Give the child time to finish without interrupting
- Respond supportively rather than correcting speech
3. Psychological support (if needed)
Because stuttering can sometimes lead to anxiety or avoidance of speaking, support from a psychologist or counsellor can help with:
- Speaking anxiety
- Self-esteem
- Social confidence
4. Technology and support tools
Some people use:
- Delayed auditory feedback devices (special tools that alter how you hear your own voice)
- Support groups such as the Stuttering Foundation or Speech Pathology Australia for resources and community
CAN STUTTERING BE CURED?
Some children outgrow stuttering naturally, especially with early support. For others, treatment focuses on improving communication, reducing struggle, and building confidence, rather than a “cure.”
Early support tends to lead to the best outcomes, especially in children.
SPEECH THERAPY AT ONE CENTRAL HEALTH
1. Assessment
At your initial assessment, your speech pathologist will likely conduct some checks to determine the type and severity of stutter you or your child is experiencing, as well as the likelihood of natural recovery.
Part of the assessment will include chatting about any family history of stuttering, how long it has been going on for, how and when it manifests, and any other speech or language problems.
2. Treatment
Early intervention is one of the keys for maximising the chance of success. Therapy for children under the age of 6 is the ideal.
There are a variety of ways in which speech therapy treats stuttering and the forms of therapy are constantly being developed and improved over time.
Some of the basic strategies you’ll likely to hear from your speech pathologist include:
- Encouraging children to speak more in a relaxed, comfortable home environment.
- Listening attentively whenever a child is communicating.
- Speaking in a relaxed and slightly slower manner to them.
- Refraining from putting pressure on children to increase their timely responses.
- Avoiding completing words or sentences for your child.
- Talking honestly and openly with them if they bring the issue up.
In therapy techniques include everything from regular breathing exercises to progressive single syllable to complex sentence practice.
For adults and teenagers, there are a few restructuring techniques to help positively manage a stutter, reduce its severity and minimise related anxiety.
Call us today for more information
If you or a loved one is experiencing a stutter–or any speech disorder–feel free to call us today and make an appointment with one of our speech pathologists.
No matter how big or small the issue, the earlier the assessment and treatment the better!
If you’d like to find out more about One Central Health, give us a call today on (08) 9344 1318.
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