How Do You Treat Stuttering In Adolescence?
Teenage Stuttering
Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects the normal flow of speech. Someone with a stutter knows what they want to say but may have difficulty saying it.
Symptoms of stuttering include:
- Repeating sounds or syllables in a word (st-st-st-stutter)
- Prolonging word sounds (ssstutter)
- Blocking of sound when trying to speak. The mouth moves, but no sound comes out.
The two types of stuttering are developmental stuttering and neurogenic stuttering. Developmental stuttering may be seen in young children during periods of rapid language acquisition. Neurogenic stuttering results from a brain injury, such as a stroke or head trauma. There are many myths associated with stuttering. Some believe that there is a connection between stuttering and low intelligence, however, this is incredibly inaccurate. In fact, research shows that there is a correlation between stuttering and higher intelligence.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 75% of children recover from stuttering, while the remaining 25% continue to struggle during adolescence and into adulthood.
Speech therapy, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, can be beneficial for a person wanting to manage the symptoms of a stutter.
Stuttering in Teenagers
Stuttering at any age is challenging and can bring up feelings of embarrassment. However, stuttering during adolescence can feel particularly daunting. Teenagers can feel great social pressure to fit in with peers and succeed academically. Although stuttering is not a sign of poor intelligence, the added worry of stuttering and being judged or labeled may limit their desire to speak freely.
Stuttering can negatively impact an individual's self-esteem. The worry of being teased by peers can lead to social anxiety and withdrawal from social situations. Withdrawing from social situations can lead to isolation and depression. Being asked to read aloud or present in front of their class can lead to poor attendance and an overall dislike of school. Poor attendance in school may affect academic performance, future education, and career outlook.
Anxiety and Stuttering
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety disorders are the world’s most common mental disorders and are on the rise for teenagers. Moments of stress and anxiety can trigger or make stuttering more prominent. When someone is anxious, they have physical symptoms such as muscle tension, rapid heart rate, and shallow breathing. This can affect the vocal cords, leading to stuttering.
Further worrying that anxiety will cause the stutter to worsen can increase the individual’s anxiety level and, unfortunately, snowball into further struggles. An earlier article titled “How To Stop Stuttering When Nervous” provides helpful insight for calming a stutter when nervous.
Supporting Someone with a Stutter
- Be Patient. As nervousness and anxiety can increase the severity and frequency of stuttering episodes, it is crucial to have patience with someone who is struggling with episodes of stuttering.
- Avoid interrupting and finishing their sentences.
- Do not tell them to slow down.
- Maintain natural eye contact and interest in the conversation.
- Focus on what they are saying, not how they are saying it.
- Educate yourself to better understand stuttering.
How Can Speech Therapy Help With a Stutter?
The brain is still developing during adolescence. While there is no cure for stuttering, speech therapy can be beneficial in managing symptoms and reducing the frequency of episodes. This can be accomplished while also helping the individual gain confidence and feel more comfortable speaking.
Working with a speech therapist provides teenagers with strategies to improve the flow of speech. The speech therapist may use techniques to control breathing and slow down the speed of speech. If certain situations trigger the stutter, they will be identified. Knowing the triggers can be beneficial in working through the worry of stuttering and desensitizing the individual to that particular situation.
Social connections are particularly important during the teenage years. Early therapy can help build strategies to improve communication and manage stuttering. A teenager who feels confident is more likely to engage in social activities and leadership roles than one who has not received speech therapy and feels shame.
Addressing stuttering in teenagers can significantly reduce its impact into adulthood. Not receiving treatment can lead to barriers in career opportunities, especially in fields that require communication or public speaking.
Do you feel like you or a loved one could benefit from online speech therapy for teenage stuttering? Get started by scheduling your free introductory call today!