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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffStuttering — also called stammering — is a speech disorder that involves repeating or prolonging a word, syllable or phrase, or stopping during speech and making no sound for certain syllables.
Stress, fatigue and excitement can make stuttering worse. Situations in which you're self-conscious about speaking also can be difficult, such as giving a presentation or talking on the telephone. Stuttering usually decreases when you're relaxed.
Stuttering is common among young children when they're learning to speak. Most children outgrow stuttering on their own. For children whose stuttering is persistent, speech therapy can often help decrease stuttering.
As a parent, you can help by not drawing attention to your child's stuttering and by providing a relaxed, calm atmosphere at home in which your child feels comfortable speaking freely.
- Ropper AH, et al. Normal development and deviations in development of the nervous system. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3634622. Accessed July 12, 2009.
- Prasse JE, et al. Stuttering: An overview. American Family Physician. 2009;77:1271.
- Stuttering. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/stutter.htm. Accessed July 11, 2009.
- Stuttering. American Speech-Language Hearing Association. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/stuttering.htm. Accessed July 11, 2009.
- 7 tips for talking with your child. The Stuttering Foundation. http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=632. Accessed July 12, 2009.
