What is stuttering and what are its types?

Stuttering, also known as stammering, is a speech fluency disorder involving interruptions in the natural flow of speech. These interruptions, called "disfluencies," may appear as repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words, prolongation of a specific sound, or a sudden stop in the middle of a syllable or word. Stuttering may sometimes be accompanied by physical movements such as head nodding, rapid blinking, or lip tremors [1].

Stuttering can be extremely frustrating, as the person is fully aware of what they want to say but finds it difficult to express. This can affect daily communication and cause challenges in educational, professional, and personal aspects of life [1].

Main Types of Stuttering

There are two main types of stuttering, each with different causes:

• Developmental Stuttering: This is the most common type and usually begins in early childhood when children are learning speech and language skills. Many children stutter when they first start talking, and most outgrow this phase as they age. However, some continue to stutter; the exact cause is unknown, but there are observable differences in the brains of people who continue to stutter. Genetics also play a role, as developmental stuttering can run in families [1], [3].
• Neurogenic Stuttering: This type of stuttering can occur after a person has a stroke, head injury, or any other type of brain injury. As a result of the injury, the brain has difficulty coordinating the various parts responsible for speech [1], [3].

Symptoms of Stuttering

In addition to repeating or prolonging sounds or words, symptoms of stuttering may include the following [3]:

• Feeling frustrated when trying to communicate.
• Pausing or hesitating when starting sentences or during them.
• Adding extra sounds or words (e.g., "We went to the... um... store").
• Tension in the voice.
• Associated physical movements such as blinking, head bobbing, or jaw tightening [1], [3].

Stuttering may worsen during times of stress, excitement, or fatigue [1]. Interestingly, some people who stutter do not experience this problem when reading aloud or singing [2], [3].

When Should You Seek Help?

If stuttering lasts for more than 3 to 6 months, if the child appears tense or embarrassed by it, or if there is a family history of stuttering, it is important to consult a specialist. Early intervention can be crucial in managing stuttering [2], [3]. You can read more about the causes of stuttering and the available treatment options in our comprehensive article Stuttering in Children and Adults: Understanding Causes and Available Treatment Options (Arabic).

Diagnosis and Treatment

Stuttering is usually diagnosed by a speech-language pathologist. The specialist assesses the patient's history, analyzes the stuttering pattern, evaluates speech and language abilities, and discusses the impact of stuttering on the individual's life [1]. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment, and treatment may include speech therapy sessions that help learn techniques such as speaking slowly and controlling breathing [1].

Medical references

• Stuttering
• Stuttering
• How ABC News' Byron Pitts learned to manage stuttering