1. What is stuttering?

Stuttering is a speech disorder that involves frequent and significant problems with normal
fluency and continuity of speech. People who stutter know what they want to say, but have
difficulty saying it. For example, they may repeat or prolong a word, syllable, consonant or
vowel. Or they may pause while speaking because they have reached a problematic word or
sound.

2. Types of stuttering
There are two main types of stuttering:

developmental stuttering - the most common type of stuttering that occurs in early
childhood, when speech and language skills are developing rapidly.
acquired stuttering - is relatively rare and occurs in older children and adults as a result of
head trauma, stroke or progressive neurological disease. It may also be caused by certain
drugs, medications, or psychological or emotional trauma.
Stuttering is like an iceberg because there is a small part of it that we can see, because a big
part of stuttering is invisible. People who stutter have thoughts and feelings about stuttering
that we cannot see.
4. Treatments for stuttering
There are different speech therapy approaches that can help people who stutter to speak
more easily.

This may involve

 creating an environment in which your child feels more relaxed and confident in
speaking
 strategies to increase fluency and develop communication skills
 working through the feelings associated with stuttering, such as fear and anxiety.
 There are also electronic devices to reduce stuttering that can help some older
children and adults such as The SpeechEasy is an electronic device designed to
alleviate stuttering by manipulating auditory feedback via time delays and
frequency shifts.
 3. Symptoms
symptoms of stuttering include:
 Difficulty starting a word, phrase, or sentence.
 Prolongation of a word or sound within a word
 Repetition of a sound, syllable, or word
 Use of additional words such as "uh..." in case of difficulty continuing with the next
word
 Excessive tension, stiffness, or movement of the face or upper body to pronounce a
word
 Anxiety about speaking
 Limited ability to communicate effectively

5. Risk Factors
Factors that increase the risk of stuttering include the following:
 Childhood developmental delay. Children who have developmental delays
or other speech problems may be more likely to stutter.
 Family members who stutter. Stuttering tends to run in families.
 Stress. Stress in the family, high parental expectations, or other types of
pressure may make existing stuttering worse.
Additional information:
 It is estimated that stuttering affects 1 in 100 adults, and that men are 3 to 4
times more likely to stutter than women.

 A child who stutters may also develop involuntary movements such as eye
blinking, lip trembling, or finger tapping.

 Studies suggest that about 1 in 12 young children go through a stuttering

phase.

 Some children and teenagers are self-confident, do not experience anxiety or

worry about stuttering and say that stuttering does not get in their way

Carlos: Symptoms, Risk Factors and the last two additional information