Stuttering
Friday 20 February 2009
What is stuttering, why does it happen and how do you cope with it?
Stuttering
A stutter is a speech disorder that is also known as a stammer.
Stuttering means words don’t come out right or sometimes it means not being able to speak in flowing sentences. Often there will involuntarily repetitions, or sounds, syllables or words come out longer, or sometimes no sound is produced at all.
There are approximately half a million sufferers in the UK. It can be frustrating and especially tricky in your teens. However there are ways to cope with it and by dealing with it can make you a stronger individual.
Of the one in 20 children who suffer from stuttering about three in four of will eventually grow out of it. Stuttering does usually improve with age.
Why does it happen?
Stuttering usually starts when you are quite young. It’s much less common for it to suddenly come on when you’re in your teens or older. It is also four times more common in boys than girls.
Scientists aren’t fully sure what triggers it, but believe that stuttering is genetic, as it is very commonly found in families.
Another factor that might cause it could be a muscle problem. Some stutterers find it difficult co-coordinating the muscles used for speech.
When does it happen?
Stuttering is not just about being nervous or self conscious when speaking, it’s much more than that. Also, it can get worse at certain times or disappear altogether at others.
Sometimes if the pressure to talk is quite great the stutter can become worse – like say a telephone call. However experts think this actually a good thing as it means stutterers then have to consciously focus on their speech.
Also ill, stress, fatigue and happiness can have an effect.
Sometimes if a sufferer pays too much attention to their stutter, or if they feel a bit low on confidence it can get worse too.
None of those are the causes though – just circumstances that might bring it on or make it worse.
Coping and overcoming
There are lots of ways in which you can help yourself deal with stuttering.
Firstly accept your stutter! For the moment anyway, it’s part of you. However it doesn’t make you a less person because of it. Think of it positively.
Secondly take some practical steps
- Speak slower!
- Look at people when you speak – this help build your confidence
- Learn breathing techniques that help you slow down and take a calmer approach when speaking
- Go to see a speech therapist who can help you with exercises and little tricks. Your GP will be able to refer you to one.
Whatever you do don’t hide away because you have a stutter. Famous stutterers include Gareth Gates, Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) and Marilyn Monroe! Didn’t stop them did it?
If you need more help, the British Stammering Association offers self help books and audio cassettes to anyone who has a stutter.
