Stuttering

In some people, the speech process is disrupted, which makes words come out in fits and starts. Better known as: stuttering.

What is stuttering?

Speech is thoughts that roll off our tongue in the form of words. Although it seems like a simple process to most people, speaking does not come naturally to everyone. Try saying "aaaaaa". Easy, right? But you have just activated up to 100 muscles. These speech muscles then have to contract at exactly the same moment, with the right speed and the right force. This process stands or falls with coordination and timing in the speech motor area of the brain.

Stuttering is complex. Someone who stutters has difficulty tensing the right muscles at the right moment, with the right tension and in the right order. Stuttering shows itself in the repetition of letters, syllables, words or parts of sentences. A sound may also be drawn out, or the person may get stuck on a sound. These 'disfluencies' often occur together with more muscle tension and a speeding up or slowing down of speech.

The cause of stuttering is still not entirely clear today. What we do know is that stuttering can be hereditary. If one of the parents stutters, each child has up to a 25% chance of stuttering too. You can also download our e-book on speech therapy.

Types of stuttering

Primary stuttering

Primary stuttering can develop between the ages of two and five, when a child is learning to speak. So-called 'disfluencies' occur, but the child is not yet really aware of them. It is perfectly normal for your toddler to get 'stuck' on the first letter of a word from time to time, or to repeat a syllable now and then. But if it happens frequently and the disfluencies follow one another, it is a good idea to ask a speech therapist for advice. More than half of all young children who stutter speak fluently before their tenth birthday.

Secondary stuttering

The person is aware of the stuttering and tries to compensate for it with little tricks. People who stutter teach themselves these tricks out of fear of stuttering. They use filler words and synonyms, or move their body to get the word out after all.
Primary and secondary stuttering are things you can observe as a bystander. Yet this is only the tip of the iceberg. How someone deals with their stuttering is often impossible to see. They may become afraid to speak, avoid certain situations and feel ashamed.

Recognising stuttering

Stuttering usually starts in toddlers. It gets worse as the child grows older.

Drawing out sounds - mmmmmmoon.
Repeating sounds - f-f-f-f-f-foot.
Repeating syllables - hi-hi-hi-hidden.
Certain body movements when a moment of stuttering occurs: blinking, stamping on the floor, pressing the lips together, and so on.
Repeating parts of sentences, possibly combined with using a synonym to avoid the word.
There is a fear of speaking.
Avoidance of certain situations.

Still not sure? Then use this screening list for stuttering.

How can you help your child who stutters?

Be patient and let your child finish speaking.
If you hear your child getting stuck on a particular word, do not finish the sentence for them. Only do so if your child asks you to.
Talk about it with your child. How do they feel?
Keep eye contact when your child starts to stutter and show that you are listening.
Make it clear to your child that you do not mind their stuttering.
Teachers can help your child too. So do inform your child's school if you notice that they are starting to stutter.

Helan and the reimbursement of speech therapy

If your child stutters, it is advisable to seek treatment from a speech therapist. There are two ways to receive a reimbursement. Read more about the statutory reimbursement for speech therapy.

Would you like to know more about communication disorders? Read all about it in our e-book on speech therapy.