What does stuttering mean?
Stuttering is the repetition of sounds or words. Secondary behaviors often accompany this disorder, such as deep breathing, arm movement and eye twitching.
Did you know that many famous people used to stutter?
This list includes actors James Earl Jones and Marilyn Monroe as well as politicians such as former VP Joe Biden and country music sensation Mel Tillis.
Stuttering is the most common fluency disorder. It is also treatable through speech therapy and early intervention. Researchers believe it is caused by a variety of factors, including genetics and neurolphysiciolgical problems involving connections within the brain.
Who is at risk for stuttering?
There is no “formula” to determine which children will stutter, but some factors that are associated with stuttering include:
- Family history
- Gender – boys are more likely to stutter than girls
- Age – children typically start stuttering at age 2
How is stuttering treated?
We have helped hundreds of patients overcome stuttering. We work with the patient, parents, physicians and the entire team to develop a treatment specifically tailored to meet the needs. While every course of treatment is different, we may focus on speech modification strategies which include controlling the rate of speech or even prolonging syllables.
Most important, we use positive reinforcement to build your child’s self-esteem. We understand that stuttering can cause social anxiety, and we want to ensure you that we will also help instill confidence and self-assurance in your child.
We also are certified providers of the SpeechEasy device. This device is worn in one ear to help with fluency by using bio feedback.
Early intervention is very important. If your loved one stutters — or if you have challenges related to stuttering — please contact us for a consultation.
Check out the article in the Star News from 1/14/21
5 Important Things To Know About Stuttering