Stuttering: what we know and how we can help
Updated: Jul 30
What causes stuttering is unknown, but it is thought there might be a hereditary element to it. All this means is that if you stutter, there may be someone else in your family who stutters.
What does stuttering look like?
Whole word repetitions "but-but-but"
Part word repetitions "de-de-desk"
Initial sound repetitions "m-m-m-my"
Prolongations "wwwwhen"
Blocks "----hi", excessive force without any sound coming out
Stuttering can also include physical secondary behaviors like blinking, clenching of the fists, facial tension, and extra body movements. People who stutter may also avoid situations in which they know they may stutter.
A speech-language pathologist can help people who stutter by:
Figuring out a way to navigate the client's own stuttering
Addressing negative feelings and behaviors
Increasing self-confidence in speaking situations
Increasing awareness of avoidance behaviors
Decreasing frequency and/or severity of stuttering
Identifying triggers that increase stuttering behaviors
Resources:
American Speech-Language Hearing Association
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
(832) 378-8165
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