Why You Should Get Stuttering Treatment

A client with a stutter should be fully evaluated for stuttering treatment by a licensed speech-language pathologist. While a stutter or a "stammer" by itself is not usually indicative of an underlying medical disorder, a client may feel embarrassed or socially awkward when speaking to friends or colleagues. It is important to address aspects of speech fluency as early as possible — especially if these patterns affect a client's confidence or self-esteem.

Though language fluency is typically addressed in childhood, it is not unusual for an adult to have a stutter and undergo treatment by a speech therapist. A speech therapist can help stuttering by providing exercises that help the client speak slower and with a different speech pattern.

What causes stuttering?

Stuttering can be a normal part of a child's language development, or it may occur on its own or in conjunction with anxiety disorders or learning disabilities. This speech disorder tends to run in families, and researchers suspect a genetic component to many stuttering cases.

Is it bad to have a stutter?

Though stuttering is not harmful by itself, it can lower the client's confidence in speech abilities and interfere with socialization. If the stutter began in adulthood, it may represent an underlying anxiety disorder or another type of medical problem. When in doubt, it is always a good idea to speak to a qualified professional about a stutter.

Can stuttering go away on its own without stuttering treatment?

According to the Mayo Clinic, stuttering is considered developmental during the first few years of life as some children simply think faster than they can formulate thoughts into speech. As language develops, these kids outgrow the stutter.

At times, stuttering can last throughout the teenage years or into adulthood. Alternately, a child may overcome a stutter only to have it return during times of anxiety. Speech therapy can greatly diminish a stutter.

How a speech therapist may use stuttering treatment to help clients

The speech therapist who specializes in stuttering treatment will begin by reviewing the client's medical history. If there are relatives who stutter or have conditions such as Tourette's syndrome that may cause stutter-like speech, this appointment is a good time to make note of these factors. 

After ruling out any medical causes for the stutter, the speech therapist will make a plan to improve the client's speech fluency. Speech therapy may consist of saying words and phrases slowly, using apps and other devices that give the client language feedback, and practicing speaking to others in what may normally be stressful situations (such as calling to place an order for takeout).

In time, the stuttering should decrease. Boys tend to be affected at a higher rate than girls, and if the client has family members who still stutter in adulthood, there is a greater chance that the client will have a harder time completely erasing the stutter as well.

Conclusion

Stuttering can get better with treatment, and clients should seek stuttering treatment before this fluency problem affects self-esteem. Many treatment methods are available to clients upon consulting with a licensed speech therapist.

It is important to treat articulation disorders as early as possible. If you are concerned about your stutter, call our office as soon as possible to set up an evaluation appointment.

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