Stuttering

1. Stuttering By David Lynn

2. Definition • Stuttering (also known as stammering) is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions, prolongations, or abnormal stoppages of sounds and syllables • There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak

3. Causes • Genetics • approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who does also • Child development • children with other speech and language problems or developmental delays are more likely to stutter • Neurophysiology • recent tests have shown that people who stutter process speech and language slightly differently than those who do not stutter • Family dynamics • high expectations and fast-paced lifestyles can contribute to stuttering

4. Diagnosis • Requires a Speech-Language Pathologist • The pathologist will evaluate the child and record the number and types of disfluencies occur in different situations • Other information is gathered, such as how the child copes with the disfluencies, if teasing occurs, and what the child’s speech rate and language skills are

5. Diagnosis cont. • For young children, determining if the stuttering will continue through adulthood is very important • The most important factors that can indicate lifelong stuttering are: • a family history of stuttering • stuttering that has continued for 6 months or longer • presence of other speech or language disorders • strong fears or concerns about stuttering on the part of the child or the family

6. Behavioral & Cognitive Therapy • Most treatments teach the person specific skills or behaviors that lead to improved oral communication • Start with speaking at a slower rate and monitoring their speech, trying to physically remove stress • Control and monitor breathing patterns • Begin speaking fluent, smooth phrases at a speed slower than typical speech • Over time, make the sentences longer and increasing speed • Follow-up session are almost always necessary after a formal intervention to prevent relapse

7. Electronic Fluency Aids • They alter the pitch with which the speakers hears their own voice, play back the speech slightly delayed, play white noise to disallow the person from hearing their own voice, or play slow and steady clicks, like a metronome • Have been said to help a lot or not at all • Popularity has been low because of the high cost • Most popular form resembles a hearing aid placed inside the ear

8. Medication • Medication has had limited success • Usually used along with Behavioral & Cognitive Therapy • Two medications have been tested to date, but neither have been approved. The side effects have outweighed the benefits. • Medication has been proven to only decrease the frequency and severity of the stutter, not cure it.

9. Academic Needs • Best thing to do is to give the student the time they need to finish what they are saying • Do not fill in words or finish sentences for them, that only makes them aware of the time pressure • Suggestions such as “slow down,” “take a deep breath,” or “relax” can increase stress and make the stuttering worse

10. NSA – National Stuttering Association • http://www.westutter.org/who-we-help/educators/

11. References • Stuttering Facts and Information. (2013). Retrieved April 28, 2013. from The Stuttering Foundation: http://www.stutteringhelp.org/ • What is Stuttering?. (2013). Retrieved April 28, 2013. from National Stuttering Association: http://www.westutter.org/ • Stuttering. (2013). Retrieved April 28, 2013. from American Speech-Language-Hearing Assocation: http://www.asha.org/ • Stuttering. (2013). Retrieved April 28, 2013. from K12 Academics: http://www.k12academics.com/disorders-disabilities/stuttering