Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects speech fluency and is often referred to as a dysfluency. The signs and symptoms of stuttering often include repetitions of words or parts of words and prolongations of words. Sometimes there is overuse of the words “um” or “uh,” which can make it difficult to hold a conversation.
Stuttering generally begins in childhood and if left untreated, may last a lifetime. The exact cause is unknown, though recent research notes genetics or certain emotional life events may contribute to this speech disorder. Stuttering appears to be more prevalent in boys and there does not appear to be a link between stuttering and intelligence.
What Are The Signs Of Stuttering?
Interestingly, we may all go through periods of normal dysfluency when we are young and learning to speak. However, if your child is experiencing difficulty and tends to hesitate or repeat certain syllables or words for more than two months, that could be a sign of a stuttering disorder.
Four Revealing Signs
- Consistently repeating sounds in a word or words in a sentence
- Hesitating involuntarily between words in sentences
- Avoiding saying words that are too difficult to say
- Showing signs of struggle or anxiety when trying to speak
How Can Great Speech Help?
Since stuttering is not something we generally outgrow, professional intervention is essential. Most intervention is “behavioral.” After an evaluation, the speech therapist will teach specific skills or behaviors that lead to improved oral communication. Some clients are taught to control or monitor the rate at which they speak. Others are instructed to breathe at a rhythmic pace. Singing has sometimes been found to be effective as well.
The use of telespeech has been extremely effective in the treatment of stuttering, in both children and adults. Learn how we can tailor a program specifically for you.
Are you ready to begin online speech therapy? Click here to get started today!
Program Highlights Include:
- Identify fluent vs. nonfluent speech
- identify the role of dysfluencies when speaking
- identify types of dysfluencies
- Identify individual patterns of disfluency
- Identify strategies to minimize disfluency and best match to pattern
- Identify personal existing strategies being used to work with disfluencies
Intensive Program Frequency of Services Recommended:
This individualized program entails a high intensity approach (much like a bootcamp), offered for 3 sessions per week for 45-minutes, for 6 weeks. Fluency affects communication and overall success in career and academic life.
Are you ready to begin online speech therapy? Click here to get started today!