Stammering

Stammering (stuttering) usually starts in childhood – between the ages of 3 and 5 – but most children grow out of it without any special treatment. About one in a hundred adults stammers. About 80% of adult stammerers are men.

Stammering can be very upsetting. In a study of more than 200 adults who stammer, more than 70% believed that their speech problem adversely affected their chance of being hired or promoted, more than 33% thought it interfered with job performance, and 20% had declined a job or promotion because of stammering (American Family Physician 2008;77:1271–6). While stammering, people often blink their eyes or jerk their jaw or move their head without meaning to, which perhaps makes it more embarrassing.

Why stammering occurs

Putting thoughts into words and then organizing speech so that the words flow well is a very complex task for the human brain. It is amazing that we do not all stammer. No one understands why stammering occurs, but a lot of research is being done to find out. It used to be thought that stress and negative experiences were the cause, but it has now been discovered that your genes have a big effect on stammering.

Stammering seldom occurs when a single word is being spoken or read, but it usually occurs at the beginning of a sentence or idea. Different parts of the brain deal with language processing and the formation of speech, and scientists are looking at the coordination between these processes. One study suggests that, in stammerers, speech formation jumps the gun before the language processing has been completed. Other researchers are looking at the roles of chemicals in the brain that transmit messages between brain cells.

How to help yourself

There are various ways in which you can help yourself. The British Stammering Association (see Useful contacts) suggests the following approach.

Define the problem. What do you actually do when you stammer?

Do you repeat sounds (s...s...s...supper) or syllables (su...su...su...supper)?
Do you prolong sounds (sssssssupper)?
Do you get blocked in speech so that you are unable to make any sound (s...upper)?
Do you close your eyes or rush through speech?
Do you try to avoid the word by changing it for another that is easier to say?
Do you give up speaking altogether?

You also need to consider what you feel about your stammer.

Do you think it is severe or quite mild?
Do you think it is holding you back in your social life or at work?
Is it better in some situations and with some people?
How do you feel when you stammer: embarrassed? annoyed? frustrated?
Do you get angry with other people, with yourself, or both?

Tackle the problem piece by piece. Having analysed your stammer, tackle it one element at a time, starting with something you feel you might be able to change. For example, you might take one sentence of your speech two or three times a day and make a special effort to say that sentence slowly and calmly. Do not allow yourself to rush or panic; when speaking more slowly, most people stammer less. Or perhaps you might try to concentrate on not looking away from people, or not closing your eyes when you stammer.

Do not try to hide your stammer. You have probably adopted some ‘avoidance behaviours’ to hide or avoid your stammer. The problem is that the more you avoid, the more you need to go on avoiding. If you are avoiding very successfully, you may be thought to be fluent by workmates, partner and friends, but you have to be constantly vigilant to maintain this fluency. Your stammer does not improve or go away because you hide it.

Try to reduce the number of times that you avoid saying a particular word or talking to a particular person or speaking in a particular situation. As well as experimenting with stammering more openly, you may find it useful to try to talk about your stammer to one or two people who are close to you. You will start to learn that people are not as critical as you thought.

Be aware of degrees of fluency. You may think there are only two possibilities – either you stammer or you are fluent. Watch and listen carefully when people are speaking on buses, on radio phone-ins, at home and in shops. Is everyone as fluent, concise and articulate as you imagined? You may discover that many apparently fluent speakers are, in fact, quite hesitant when speaking, and that there is not such a clear division between speaking fluently and stammering. You may then begin to accept that you do not have to be fluent all the time.

Treatment options

Speech therapy. You should get the help of a speech and language therapist, preferably one who specializes in the treatment of stammering. Your doctor can refer you, or you can get in touch with a therapist yourself. The therapy may be on an individual basis, or may be in a group. If you have already had speech therapy and feel that you were not helped, try again because therapy may have changed and you may have changed.

Echo earpiece. Some stammerers find they can sing along with others, and that their stammer is not as bad when they are with a lot of people all talking together in the same room. To reproduce this effect, an earpiece has been developed that sends out an echo of the user’s voice. It helps to ‘unblock’ the impediment to speech. According to the British Stammering Association, it helps some people but not all.

Don't hope for medication to cure the problem. Various studies have shown that drug treatment does not truly help.

If you are a parent and your child stammers

Stammering is quite common in the pre-school years. Although three out of four children will grow out of it, many authorities think that pre-schoolers who stutter should be treated. Therefore it is worth discussing the problem with your doctor. The British Stammering Association has a useful page on its website called ‘Stammering in preschool children – how parents can help’. If your child is of school age, you could tell his/her teachers about the special sections for teachers on the website of the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children (see Useful contacts).

It is important to provide an environment that encourages slow speech, allowing the child time to talk, because slow and relaxed speech can help reduce stammering. Gentle, non-judgemental acknowledgement of stammering may comfort a frustrated child, such as saying “That was bumpy” or “That was smooth” (American Family Physician 2008;77:1271–6). Here are 7 tips for talking with your child from the Stuttering Foundation (see Useful contacts).

Speak with your child in an unhurried way, pausing frequently. Wait a few seconds after your child finishes speaking before you begin to speak. Your own slow, relaxed speech will be far more effective than any criticism or advice such as “slow down” or “try it again slowly.”
Reduce the number of questions you ask your child. Instead of asking questions, simply comment on what your child has said.
Use your facial expressions and other body language to convey to your child that you are listening to the content of his/her message and not to how he or she is talking.
Set aside a few minutes at a regular time each day when you can give your undivided attention to your child. This quiet, calm time can be a confidence-builder for younger children.
Help all members of the family learn to take turns talking and listening. Children, especially those who stutter, find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions.
Observe the way you interact with your child. Try to increase those times that give your child the message that you are listening, and there is plenty of time to talk.
Above all, convey that you accept your child as he/she is. The most powerful force will be your support, whether he/she stutters or not.

Helping a stammerer

Do not give unhelpful advice, such as ‘slow down’ or ‘take a deep breath’. Just accept that the person stammers.
Do be patient and maintain eye contact with the stammerer when he or she speaks.
Do not interrupt or finish words or sentences for the stammerer. This is frustrating for the stammerer and you may guess wrongly.
Concentrate on what is being said, rather than how it is being said.

Acknowledgement
Some of the information in this section is taken from a leaflet called The Adult Who Stammers published by the British Stammering Association.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Wednesday, October 5th 2011

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Comments on this article

Posted by Guy on 28/03/2012 at 01:42

I stammered up to my 40s, being the worst when I was in the early teens when I had trouble with words starting with G and S. Unfortunately my name starts with G so that was very irritating when asked for my name. As time progressed my stammering problem slowly disappeared, with only an occasional stutter when I was excited or tired. Throughout my stammering life I became quite adept at avoiding certain words that gave my trouble which didn't help when I had to read out aloud. I sympathise with young people with this problem, leaning to speak slowly does help a bit. Singing in a choir was one of the best thing I did, I didn't have any problems while singing and that seemed to help me speak too.

Posted by sana on 23/03/2012 at 02:25

i am in 12th.i cant even speak or present a speech infront of others.pls help me

Posted by lasith malinga on 18/03/2012 at 03:38

i stammered only when i find smthng unfriendly situation,othrwise i am ok.when i stammer i just feel as if my chest and stomach have been very tight..i feel short of breadth.. I stutter lyk (sup ,sup, sup,supper)please help

Posted by henry on 15/03/2012 at 06:59

i have suffered this problem all my life and i have to confess it cost me a lot. People made fun of me in school and in turn i turned against God and my parents. I abused drugs and scored low grades in my final exams. I wasted my life, i wish i was wiser back then. My understanding relatives talked to me and they let me understand that my problem is not strange. I could overcome it only if i changed my attitude. I have since learn t to relax when talking to people and whenever i stammer i do not really care what others are thinking. Just accept that its part of life. What if i was,say crippled,blind,dumb or even worse,lacking in intelligence? Just accept what are,recognize that God put you in this life for other reasons,other than being out there talking rubbish. I am in university by the way,studying information science and i i have made friends with really smart understanding people. They do not laugh at me. They take their time to listen to what i have to say and i know that they consider me important when they approach me to help do something for them..So guys,just give your speech impediment a more positive outlook and avoid those dumb asses out there that make fun of you. You a missing a lot confining yourself in that room,pitying yourself. Remember, you are your what you're thinking you are,if you think you are unlikable,undesirable and lacking in life as i have read in some of the comments here,then perhaps its true...that is what u have decided to be, what can anybody do about it?

Posted by Optional on 14/03/2012 at 05:02

My grandson aged 28 months just started attending a nursery/ preprimary this year.He had started to speak a few words fluently. Since he joined the pre-primery, I noticed he started to stammer. The teacher confirmaed that a girl aged 3 in the group has a stammer. Can it be that my grandson picked it up and any chance it will stay with him or any therapy to help him/her. Thanks

Posted by Optional on 12/03/2012 at 03:33

I am so embarrassed each time I tried to say something. If I am asked to give my address, telephone number , or other simple information I stammer. I am scared to open my mouth. At times I would insert unnecessary words in my sentence, so it appears as if I don’t know how to construct my sentences properly. Sometimes I think I am complete failure. I need help!!!!!

Posted by zaib on 10/03/2012 at 10:12

i want to have surregry so that i may be able to speak nicely i do't want to face this problem

Posted by Addy on 02/12/2011 at 06:51

Am still suffering which make me back socially . I repeat again nd again nd finaly i face embarracment

Posted by Optional on 02/11/2011 at 06:52

I have this stammer that I'm very, very stressed out about. It seems to me that I can't interact properly with people other my family. Seeing the list of famous stammerers just makes me panic, because I know that at the rate I'm going, I'm never going to get that far in life. It isn't THE WORST stammer ever recorded, but it's costing me a lot of possible friends. I'm scared to tell a joke because I know it will probably turn out bad, and in any case won't be funny. My parents constantly berate me because I don't invite a lot of friends over, because I can't have a conversation with another person normally, and other things. Most people I meet think I have a problem, so they either hate me or pity me. Everywhere I go I am reminded that I truly have no life. Does anybody else have this problem, or think they do? It would really help me.

Posted by Amadin E. A on 02/11/2011 at 06:16

If you found out that you stammer don't feel forstrated control your words and if people provok you don't reat if you reat in that process you will stammer and don't speak with loud voice try to compose your words before you speak it don't keep quit express yourself i too stammer

Posted by Sid on 31/10/2011 at 07:34

Because of this disability i am failed in my life

Posted by abharana on 04/09/2011 at 04:56, India

i am a student of class 9 .i stammer severely wen im on stage n wen im reading loudly.but wem im talkin wid my frnds i stammer little i stammer words starting frm k,a,m,x....etc.i stammer even wen im alone .i beg of u pls help me .i need ur help really badly,im scared where it can effect my future........pls .......pls.......pls.......hlp me!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by mahwish on 29/08/2011 at 12:25, Pakistan

hello, i have problem of stammering .i speak very fast but my voice is not clear.therefore i got confused at the time of speaking . i have done master in appled psychology now want to work as a teacher but this problem create hurdle in my career i have this problem since my childhood . people do not understand my word.please help me and get rid of this problem

Posted by Optional on 24/08/2011 at 05:27, United Kingdom

Ive had my stammer for 7 years and it effects my grades in school such as english,spanish and french because I cannot read out loud,Ive had speech therapy for 7 months and they have said to my face that they do not understand why it is happening and they cannot help me any longer.im afraid that this will effect further exams,work interviews,asking for help in places like banks,even ordering my own food and answering the phone.my stammer is horrible and only really happens when im talking to my family and oral exams somebody help,the list of things above is really no help to me.

Posted by naveen on 17/07/2011 at 09:04, India

pls help me.my stammering intrupt me in my interviews.people say me stammer tan i feel frustated.i stammer in sum sentance wich r strd frm s,c,f,k,t only.i stmr litle bit in frnt oe my frnd parents but when i talk to other i stamr a lot in every sngl world.hlp hlp hlp.

Posted by Apoorva on 28/03/2011 at 02:42, India

I'm workin now...have problem while speaking..cant pronounce the word like s,j,g,b..cant speak on stage.and when i'm wid my close friend i stammer less n when i'm alone with myself i wont stammer at all. Kindly please help me, i get embarrassed in front of my colleagues.I lack confidence..please do help me!

Posted by N.karthikeyan on 23/02/2011 at 04:55, India

i am an engineering student in a famous college of Chennai ,i know that my problem is stammer but i do not feel it until my completion of 12th standard though i struggled little on those days , but now i am in third year of automobile dept. i struggle a lot now , even i cant pronounce the letters like s , v , j ,r ,p ,w ,f like super, first , final ,java, good , like those ,please tell me how can i my improve and get rid of it. i cant speak on the stage .

Posted by Optional on 24/01/2011 at 07:16, India

My son is 4.5 years old and has stammering problem.The words also lack clarity.Please help me out...

Posted by Optional on 08/01/2011 at 04:06, United Kingdom

i dont stammer alot its not a worse situation it just happens cause i talk very fast and now what i say is starting to make no sense and some stuff comes out wrong . sometimes i cant get a word out at the start of a sentence i think that i might stammer or say it really fast.

Posted by salman on 03/12/2010 at 06:14, Pakistan

i am a student of class 10.i have talk with teaches and friends but my stammer did not allow me to speak but actually i stammer 60% in school and only 10% outside the school.this is my problem.i am not a stammer sinc childhood.sometime i can,t start a sentence.i am totally hang there and i stammer sometimes,not always.i can,t give a speech in front of my classmates.plz take me out from the big problem

Posted by Leys Geddes on 28/11/2010 at 02:58, United Kingdom

No, 1 in 100 adults stammer - but up to 5% of young children stammer at some time. Stammering is a symptom of a condition in which the brain's neural circuits for speech have not wired normally. And, as recently as February, 2010, researchers announced that three genes had been identified as a source of stammering.

Posted by sri kanth on 25/10/2010 at 03:46, India

iam srikanth from hyderabad,i have a stammering problem sinc my childhood. iam a engineering student.i stammer when somebody asks my name suddenly.i even stammer when my parents ask me something.i feel very scared and confused while giving a speech in front of my class mates.please help me out of this problem .

Posted by bubu on 24/10/2010 at 07:22, Pakistan

thanx for the guidance..

Posted by junaid on 17/10/2010 at 04:26, United Kingdom

With my family members I stutter a bit but when I talk on the phone or speak to my friends or go to cousins house I stutter very badly and some times I cant get my words out its like my brain freezes. When I was 9 years old and it started and now I am 26 years old and its like I have no life so most of the time I stay at home.

Posted by Rohit on 26/09/2010 at 08:29, India

This is really a wonderful article on this site about stammering....I have read so many of these on various websites but mostly are advertisement for their products and give misleading advices..But this one is true and really good for stammerers..Like I myself stammer and I have already known and experienced most of the things mentioned over here after years of stammering..So I know that these points are really good for you and it works..This might not cure your stammering as unfortunately we do not have a real CURE for it till date but if you know why,how,where,and how much you stammer,you do not even need a CURE.... If you know the above mentioned things,you will automatically find a way out for yourself..Yes..Times will be embarrassing,tough..but you have to cope with it as there are a lots of people who have a much much bigger problem..Think of a squint..who cannot even hide his/her problems like us...Also try to concentrate on your abilities..Believe in yourself...Believe in your strong points..CONFIDENCE IS THE KEY...If you have confidence in yourself you will automatically cease to stammer..and this worked for me as even though I still carry my stammering with myself,I really do not stammer like I used to do..This is because we also stammer because we are fearful of stammering on every occasion..This is not true at all..We stammer only on few occasions..Its only our fear that makes us stammer more...in fact on every occasion..Try to be confident in front of others..Do not feel inferior to others at all as by stammering you are not harming anybody..you are free to speak in whatever way you want...Also your close ones actually very well know that you stammer..So you do not need to hide it from them as if u do so you will actually stammer more..Also its a fact that you stammer does not bother anyone except us..People have no time to laugh about,think about or talk about it..Here are millions of people who stammer just because of their bad speaking habits not because of any physical problem like us..But those people are never embarrassed..So then why should we be?Their is no harm in choosing different easy words or different sentences if you are good at using them while speaking but face stammering with eyes into its eyes...If you do that then believe me stammering only exist in our minds...More than a physical problem,its a problem of the mind...Be confident and believe in yourself ..not in your stammering...There are thousands of successful people who stammer..So believe me stammering is not a hindrance in your path to success or growth!!Have a happy time..Bye..Rohit...