The Basics On Child Stutters

By Enid Hinton


Stuttering, also referred to as stammering, is a problem that many people have, including children. This is the terminology used to describe a speech disorder that causes the flow of speech to be disrupted by repetition, as well as prolongations of words, phrases, syllables or sounds. There might also be blocks or pauses where the stutterer is unable to produce any sound. If a child stutters, his or her parent or guardian are urged to consider the many options available for treating or managing this problem.

There are certain obvious signs of this disorder. Usually these can be observed by anyone, even those who are not trained in speech pathology. People with stammering problems often have blocks of silence in their communication, as well as prolongation of sounds, and repeating of words, sounds and syllables. These are not issues that are frequently observed in those who do not have stuttering issues, as there is more fluency to their speech. The severity of a stutter will differ by individual and may also change within a person based on many factors.

Stammering might have a negative effect on a person, especially a young child. Kids are often teased for this reason. Feelings of embarrassment, anger, fear, frustration, shame and guilt may be common for people who stutter. This may result in a negative image of oneself, as well as avoidance of social interaction.

There is no one cause associated with this type of stuttering. Still, there are plenty of theories and hypotheses that consider the contributions to this disorder. There is evidence that supports the theory that it is tied to genetics. However, there is a large group of people who stammer and yet have no family history of it. All situations are different.

Prior to any treatment being offered, a person needs to be assessed to determine his or her condition. Some stuttered speech is not as easy to detect so diagnosing requires the skills of professional speech-language pathologists who are certified and knowledgeable. There is no absolute cure, but several options can help people gain control of their speech.

Most of the solutions are focused on learning new techniques that help reduce stammering. This might include changes in breathing habits, speed reduction, and gradual progression of communication from single syllables up to long words and eventually to complex sentences. Therapies might also focus on lowering anxiety that is often caused by stammering and is also known to make the problem worse.

Speech language pathologists are a powerful resource for support and information. They can provide people with a variety of services, including lessons on how to monitor and control the speed at which one communicates. Those who learn to speak slowly and with less intensity can improve their stammering problems. Some might also learn new ways to regulate or check breathing. Other potential solutions for treatment include: support, medications, diaphragmatic breathing, modification therapy, fluency shaping therapy and electronic fluency devices.

Every person is different and so the approach taken in these cases may range. It might take some time before any results are noticed. People should remain optimistic and continue on with the instructions related to the treatment. Those without any control over their stammering may face numerous obstacles throughout life because of it. For this reason, adults are highly encouraged to promptly seek proper diagnosis and treatment options for children with this issue.




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