Health Sciences

School of Human Communication Sciences

La Trobe Communication Clinic

General Stuttering Information

What is stuttering?

Stuttering occurs when there is a disruption of the flow of speech. This may take the form of:

• Repetition of sounds, syllables or words
• Prolongation of sounds
• Blocks (an involuntary cessation of airflow and/or voicing during speech)¹

Stuttering has been likened to driving in icy conditions. The driver knows where he/she wants to go but it is easy to lose control and skid off course. Similarly, a person who stutters knows what they want to say but the brain’s control over the complex speech process can be unreliable. In challenging situations, control may be lost resulting in disfluency.²

Who stutters?

Stuttering is not related to race, intelligence, social status or similar factors.¹ Both males and females of all ages may stutter, but a higher proportion of males are affected.³

Features of stuttering

In addition to the ‘types’ of stutters listed above, other features may be observed, usually in older children and adults. These include physical tension, extra movements (such as excessive eye blinking), use of interjections (‘um’, ‘ah’) and avoidance of difficult words. Stuttering may also have psychological effects such as increased anxiety, frustration and depression.³

Causes of stuttering

The exact cause of stuttering is unknown. It is understood that genetics plays a role, with a family history of stuttering being a risk factor.¹ There is also believed to be neurophysiological (i.e. speech motor control⁴) involvement but the nature of this is unclear.¹

Onset of stuttering

Stuttering usually begins in the preschool years. In some cases, the stuttering will resolve spontaneously without treatment. However, stuttering will often persist through adolescence and adulthood if left untreated.¹

Can stuttering be treated?

The short answer to this is ‘yes’. Treatment is especially effective in young children because the stuttering behaviour is not as ‘set’ as it is in older children and adults.³ However, adolescents and adults can still improve their fluency dramatically through treatment.

At the La Trobe Communication Clinic, only evidence-based treatment programs are used. This means that research has been done to ensure that the treatment approaches are effective in improving fluency for most people.

La Trobe Communication Clinic offers stuttering treatment for all ages:

• Preschoolers
• Young school-aged children
• Adolescents
• Adults

Research opportunities

Research into stuttering and its treatment is ongoing. If you would like to be considered as a participant for future research projects at La Trobe Communication Clinic, please download and submit the Registration of Interest form available from our Research page.

Donations and Bequests

If you or someone you know has benefited from treatment at the La Trobe Communication Clinic, or you would like to make a donation or bequest, please download and submit the Donations and Bequests form.

• Donations and Bequests form (DOC 46KB)

Request for service

• Latrobe Communication Clinic - Request for Services - Consumer information (DOC 97.5KB)

References

1. Guitar, B. (2006). Stuttering: An integrated approach to its nature and treatment. (3rd Ed.). Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. Tunbridge, N. (1994). The stutterer’s survival guide. Sydney: Addison-Wesley.
3. Ward, D. (2006). Stuttering and cluttering: Frameworks for understanding and treatment. New York: Psychology Press.
4. Hulstijn, H., Peters, HFM., & Van Lieshout, PHHM. (Eds.). (1997) as cited in Onslow, M. (2000). Stuttering – treatment for adults. Current therapeutics. Retrieved April 30, 2008, from http://www.swsahs.nsw.gov.au/stuttering/documents/resources%20stuttering%20adults.pdf