Stuttering is most common in children who are learning to speak. This speech disorder is more common in boys than girls, according to the National Library of Medicine. Stuttering causes potentially life-long struggles when it comes to communication, but what exactly is stuttering and what are the affects that it is having on your child?
What is stuttering?
Stuttering is defined as a speech disorder that causes individuals to repeat or prolong words. In some instances, stuttering may cause the individual to repeatedly stop while talking, as well as the inability to pronounce specific sounds of certain syllables.
Stuttering Symptoms
Individuals who have a stuttering disorder constantly repeat words or parts of words. When speaking, these individuals become tense, blink rapidly, and their jaw or lips might tremble. Other symptoms may include difficulty with starting a word or phrase, speech may come out in bursts, or there might be hesitation before they attempt to pronounce certain sounds.
Stuttering Causes
Though experts are not sure what causes stuttering, there are some speculations on what can trigger this disorder. For instance, developmental stuttering might be caused because a child’s language skills are not fully developed. As children get older, these symptoms should start to fade and they should be able to speak more fluently. Neurogenic stuttering is caused when the brain and speech muscles are not working well with one another. Children and adults are affected by this after they have experienced a stroke or traumatic brain injury. When someone suffers from anxiety, nervousness, or low self-esteem, stuttering can become visible, but it does not necessarily become a long-term problem.
Diagnosis of Stuttering
For some, stuttering may be apparent, while in others it is not visible at all. To get a proper diagnosis of your child’s stuttering, they should be examined by a Speech-language Pathologist. With a professional’s help, your child will be able to get proper treatment to reduce their stuttering symptoms.
