| What is stuttering?
Stuttering, sometimes referred to as stammering or disfluent
speech, is a speech disorder. As a person who stutters
tries to speak, he or she may exhibit these characteristics:
• frequent repetitions (prolongations)
of speech sounds, syllables, or words
• rapid blinking of the
eyes
• tremors in the lips or
jaw
• other struggling behaviors
Stuttering affects more than 3 million people in the United
States. Although it most frequently occurs in children
between the ages of two and six, it can affect all age
groups. It occurs three times more often in males than
females.
What causes stuttering?
The exact mechanical causes of stuttering are not completely
understood, but it is thought to be a hereditary condition.
What are the different types of stuttering?
There are several types of stuttering, including:
• developmental
This is the most common
type of stuttering, which occurs in children. As their
speech and language processes are developing, they may
not be able to meet
verbal demands.
• neurogenic
Neurogenic stuttering
is also a common disorder that occurs from signal problems
between the brain and nerves and muscles.
• psychogenic
Psychogenic stuttering
is believed to originate in the mind in the area of the
brain that directs thought and reasoning. This type of
stuttering may occur
in people with mental illness or who have experienced
mental stress or anguish.
However, although stuttering may cause emotional problems,
it is not believed to the result of emotional problems.
How is stuttering diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and physical
examination, diagnosis of stuttering may also include:
• detailed history of the
development of the disorder
• evaluation of speech and language
abilities by a speech-language pathologist
Treatment for stuttering:
Specific treatment will be determined by the physician(s)
based on:
• patient's age, overall health,
and medical history
• extent of the disorder
• expectations for the course
of the disorder
• patient's tolerance for specific
medications, procedures, or therapies
• patient's (or family's) opinion
or preference
The goal of treatment is to focus on relearning how to
speak, or to unlearn incorrect ways of speaking. Although
there is no cure for stuttering, early intervention may
keep stuttering from becoming a life-long problem. Speech
and language evaluation is suggested for children who
exhibit stuttering or struggle behaviors associated with
speech for more than six months.
|
Voice and Speech
Speech is a complex process that starts with muscle
movement, which involves:
•
phonation (voice)
•
respiration (breathing process)
•
articulation (throat, palate, tongue,
lips, and teeth)
These muscle movements are initiated, coordinated,
and controlled by the brain, and monitored through
hearing and touch.
Voice production, or phonation, is generating and
modulating sound as part of the speech process.
Voice is created in the vocal cords (or vocal folds)
of the larynx.
The larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is
a two-inch long tube-shaped organ located in the neck
at the top of the trachea (windpipe). The cartilage
in front of the larynx is sometimes called the "Adam's
apple."
The vocal cords (or vocal folds) are two bands of
muscle that form a "V" shape inside the
larynx.
The area of the larynx where the vocal cords are located
is called the glottis. The area above the cords is
called the supraglottis, and the area below the cords
is called the subglottis. The epiglottis is a flap
at the top of the trachea that closes over the larynx
to protect it from food that is swallowed into the
esophagus.
Breath enters the body through the nose or mouth,
and then travels to the larynx, trachea, and into
the lungs. It exits along the same path. Normally,
no sound is made by the vocal cords during breathing
or exhaling.
When a person talks, the vocal cords tighten, move
closer together, and air from the lungs is forced
between them. This makes them vibrate and produces
sound. |
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