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What is stammering ?

      Stammering is an interrupted way of speaking, blocking of speech or stuttering (i.e.

repetition of the same letter or word).  If the normal flow of speech is hampered in any
way, it is called stammering.

      It may be in the form of mind block, hesitation, blocking (taking more time to utter any
word), repeating (either any particular starting sound or the word itself), elongating more
than normal and distracted sound due to unnecessary force.  It is an in-coordination among
respiratory, vocal cords and articulatory mechanisms.  Stammering is speech which is
hesitant, stumbling, tense or jerky to the extent that it causes anxiety to the speaker and /
or the listener.

      There is a wrong belief amongst a section of the people that stammering means severe
speech problem.  It may be minor, medium or severe, the extent of problem varies from
person to person, even varies from situation to situation for a particular person.

There is no difference between stammering and stuttering.  Stammering is commonly used

in UK and India also.  Stuttering is the term used in US and some other countries.  Incorrect
pronunciation is not stammering, it is called lisping.

Causes of Stammering :

      Stammering develops mostly from the early age of a person.  It is an acquired
behaviour not inherited.  Some of the causes that lead to the development of stammering
are :

1.      Childish imitation of other stammerers either in the family or outside;

2.      An after effect of certain serious illness such as typhoid, malaria, prolonged fever,
convulsion etc;
3.      Feeling of insecurity in the early age of school;
4.      Strict, rude & rough guardianship;
5.      Sudden physical or mental shock;
6.      Shy or introvert nature from childhood;
7.      Very fast speaking habit;
8.      Mal-adjustment between parents;
9.      Disturbances and quarrel in the family;
10.    If the thought process is very fast;
11.    Lack of co-ordination between thinking & speaking;
12.    Stiff competition in all spheres of life;
13.    If one is multilingual;
14.    Side effects of strong medicinal action specially allopathy medicine;
15.    Subjected to tremendous fear and tension from childhood;
16.    If the child is left alone for some time without parents or familiar people;
17.    When a second child is born in the family;
18.    Seeing some horrifying scenes in real life or in movies;
19.    If the child is weak or sickly;
20.    When pressurised by parents to achieve difficult and high targets;
21.    When forcibly changed from left handed behaviour to right-handed;
22.    The child tries to attract attention and stammers when neglected;
23.    If the teacher is strict and always punishes and terrorizes the child;
24.    Humiliation in front of friends and class mates;
25.    If one is frightened of every little thing;
26.    Hurting one's head due to some accident, specially the back side of the head and
27.    If parents and family members all talk very fast, the child is unable to compete with
their speed and thus faulters.

Whatever may be the cause of stammering, it occurs due to excitement tension fear
nervousness hesitation anticipation of blocking and lack of confidence & courge to speak.

Stammering - occurs more or less:

Situations when stammering occurs more -

1.   To speak out your name  2. Answering Sudden questions,  3.  While talking to
strangers  4.  Responding in School and College  5.  Before and during exams due to fear &
tension  6.  Answering oral exams  7.  Interacting with seniors and people with high
personality  8.  While facing interview   9.  Over the telephone   10.  while buying tickets &
enquiry counters in railway & bus station 11.  During an emergency situation   12. Illness
tiredness & hunger  13.  Social gathering  14.  while suffering from cold & cough   15. 
Speaking before a mass gathering   16.  With parents if they are very strict   17.  When
very much depressed and upset   18.  during a clash or quarrel with anybody   19.  If
anybody charges and accuses you   20.  while cracking jokes   21. when over-excited too
emotional or over joyed   22.  If confidence is at a low level   23.  when you are in a new
and unknown environment   24. If you are extremely frightened    25.  When you are very
much irritated and frustrated with life etc.,

In the following situations, stammering occurs less:

1.      In a very relaxed casual and happy mood

2.      When anyone achieves something e.g. get excellent result or wins an award
3.      With subordinates and lowly placed people
4.      If the other person is very sympathetic and loves you much
5.      With friends and family members and small children
6.      In a good phase of time
7.      If the parents guide properly regarding speech
8.      When one does not bother the peoples reaction etc.

Difficulties and Hurdles of Stammerers :

1.      Even after knowing better than most of the people, you cannot express your
knowledge, people consider you to be dull & incompetent.
2.      Stammering leads to depression tension frustration pessimism and develops
inferiority complex and you ultimately lose all hope & ambition in life and often think of
committing suicide.
3.      Due to poor communication with examiner, marks obtained in oral exams are less
even if you are prepared very well.
4.      You always take the help of others to go anywhere or meet anybody, so you do not
become self-sufficient or independent.
5.      For this problem, you get easily irritated annoyed thus losing your cool calm quiet
nature.
6.      During social functions & marriage gatherings, you try to avoid people & they treat
you as unsocial because of your inability to interact.
7.      You are not able to clarify doubts in class & remain ignorant in some respects.
8.      You often do not get good value & appreciation for the hard sincere & honest work
that you have done.
9.      To take up any challenging task is very difficult because of constant fear from the
childhood & lack of confidence.
10.    To participate in a quiz contest, elocution or perform in the stage would be very
difficult.
11.    In most of the cases you admit your inability & have to settle for a petty job much
less dignified according to your qualification.
12.    You are definitely missed or missing the beautiful school life which other students
happily & cheerfully enjoy by participating in all extra curricular activities.
13.    To meet top people for important work, lot of tension mounts making it problematic to
discuss freely thus degrading your position.
14.    Inspite of having everything in life because of disfluency of speech, dreams always
remain unfulfilled.