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 Though they may sound different, stammering and stuttering have the same meaning. Both refer to a speech disorder where a person repeats sounds, syllables or words. Other symptoms of stammering or stuttering include:

• Stopping during speech or in the middle of words
• Hesitating before certain sounds
• Substituting certain words or sounds with others (circumlocution)
• Interjecting sounds such as ‘ah’ or uhm’ before speaking certain words or in the middle of sentences
• Nervous habits such as rapid blinking of the eyes, clenching of the fists and trembling of the jaw when trying to talk fluently
• Some people may appear breathless when trying to talk
• Making no sound for certain syllables or parts of words
• Mispronouncing certain words
• Prolongation of certain sounds and syllables
• Tension of the facial muscles during speech
• Fatigue and stress that causes dysfluency in speech
• Self-consciousness regarding the condition
• Loss of confidence and self-esteem
  

Stuttering or stammering is a common occurrence when children first begin to speak. Children between the ages of two to five may stammer or stutter as they language skills begin to develop. In most cases, the problem resolves itself in time and is not a cause for concern. However, if your child continues to stammer for more than six months or if the symptoms worsen, it is best to get him evaluated by a speech pathologist as soon as possible. The earlier stuttering is addressed and treated the better the chances of managing the condition.

Causes of Stammering / Stuttering

There is no consensus about what exactly causes the condition. There is a high possibility of developing a stammer if someone from your close family has the same problem thus indicating a genetic link. Other possible causes include:

• Developmental stuttering is a type of stuttering that develops as part of the process of speech development. Young children may stammer or stutter as they learn a language and rush to speak. Once the developmental stage progresses, this problem tends to fade away.
• Neurogenic stuttering indicates a problem in the functioning of the brain. When signals to and from the area of the brain that controls speech do not work properly, stammering may develop. Neurogenic stuttering may occur as a result of brain trauma caused by injury or a stroke.
• Psychogenic stuttering is a type of stuttering that develops as a result of emotional or psychological factors. Severe stress, anxiety, depression or nervousness could aggravate the condition and worsen the symptoms.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Stuttering / Stammering

A qualified speech and language pathologist will be able to diagnose and evaluate the condition. Along with observing the person, the pathologist will use various speech and language skill tests depending on the patient’s age and ability. This will help determine the severity of the condition and the possible cause as well.

Depending on the cause and severity of the symptoms, treatment usually aims at lessening the struggle over certain words and sounds as well as teaching the patient how to cope with everyday situations and improve speech fluency. Therapy may include:

• Fluency Shaping Therapy: This type of therapy aims are monitoring and controlling the rate of speech along with breathing control.
• Stuttering Modification Techniques: Instead of trying to eliminate stuttering (which may not always be possible, stuttering modification techniques help lessen the fear and anxiety surrounding the problem. It equips the patient with the tools to lessen the struggle and reduce the symptoms.
• Use of Electronic Devices: Results of this sort of treatment varies with high success rates with some people and no positive outcome with others. Audio feedback is altered to imitate talking in unison, as this is believed to reduce stuttering. Earpieces may also be used to block out the stutterer’s voice to ensure a smooth flow of speech.
  

Whether therapy is successful or not cannot be predicted. In most cases however, stammering can be made more manageable and less evident than before. This helps the patient increase his self-confidence and improve his social interactions and relationships and is therefore invaluable.

References:

1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/stuttering.html#cat3

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