What is Stuttering?
Stuttering is a speech disorder that disrupts the flow of speech. People who stutter know what they want to say but have trouble saying it smoothly. It often starts in childhood and can vary with stress or excitement.
What Does Difficulty in This Area Look Like?
- Repeating sounds or words: “Can-can-can I go?”
- Stretching out sounds: “Ssssssometimes I stutter.”
- Silent blocks: Pausing mid-sentence with visible effort to speak
- Tension or struggle: Facial tension, blinking, or body movements during speech
- Avoidance: Hesitating to speak or avoiding certain words or situations
How Can Speech Therapy Help Build These Skills?
Speech Therapy helps individuals who stutter by:
- Improving fluency through techniques like slow, controlled speech and pausing strategies
- Reducing tension with relaxation and breathing exercises
- Building confidence through practice in safe, supportive settings
- Addressing emotions like anxiety or frustration that can worsen stuttering
- Teaching coping strategies to manage stuttering in real-life situations
Therapy is tailored to each person’s needs and often includes family for support