Stuttering

Stuttering is a disturbance in the normal speech pattern, and is characterized by repetitions of words, syllables or speech sounds and sometimes the inability to start a particular word. Stuttering generally starts when the child is 3-4 years old, and the child has a normal speech development prior to the onset of stuttering. It can be pretty traumatic for the affected person, and in fact, I had a friend who even attmpted suicide due to the stress.

The causes of stuttering may be broadly considered under three categories: developmental stuttering, neurogenic stuttering and psychogenic stuttering. It is also a well-known fact that some cases of stuttering may be hereditary. However, no gene for stuttering has been found yet.

Developmental stuttering is the most common form, and occurs in children who are in the speech and language developmental phase. The child usually outgrows this kind of stuttering. Neurogenic stuttering occurs due to damage to the central nervous system and may the sequelae of stoke, head trauma, extra-pyramidal disorders, tumors, dementia, and medications prescribed for depression and asthma. Psychogenic stuttering is an acquired speech disorder in adults with psychopathology like mental illness and mental stress.

Although there is no cure for stuttering, it is generally believed that the treatment for stuttering should begin in the pre-school years. There are many treatment options available but currently, only the Lidcombe programme has undergone phase I and II clinical trials. This is a behavioral treatment programme, specifically for children in the pre-school age (less than 6 years).


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