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Stammering, also called stuttering, is a common speech disorder where the manner and flow of speech is disrupted by uncontrollable involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases and also involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which a person who stammers is unable to produce sounds.
No known cause is traceable or known to trigger stammering, but research suggests that in involves a combination of factors. These include:
- Physical Factors: Workings of the brain; family inheritance; speech sound coordination; health.
- Speech & Language Factors: Vocabulary; sentences; sound/word pronunciation; advanced/delayed development; understanding language.
- Emotional Factors: Sensitivity; anxiety (ours/others); extremely high standards; negative reactions.
- Environmental Factors: Busy schedules; life pace; turn taking in conversation, school life.
While some aspects of stuttering are obvious to everyone, others are not. To have a comprehensive and reliable diagnosis, the patient should be examined by a speech-language pathologist (SLP).
However, common signs and symptoms associated with stuttering include:
- Problems starting a word, phrase, or sentence.
- Hesitation before certain sounds have to be uttered.
- Repeating a sound, word, or syllable.
- Certain speech sounds may be prolonged.
- Speech may come out in spurts.
- Words with certain sounds are substituted for others (circumlocution).
Also, the following might be observed during talking:
- rapid blinking
- trembling lips
- foot tapping
- a trembling jaw
- the face and/or upper body tightens
MYTHS & FACTS
It’s not unusual to hear some puzzling remarks and beliefs about stammering, especially in environments where superstition is often substituted for evidence-based findings. Here are common misconceptions and facts concerning the topic.
Myths
- Stutterers are not good or effective communicators.
- Stuttering is as a result of laziness.
- Stutterers are not good leaders.
- Stutterers are perpetually anxious.
- Stutterers cannot be hired or employed due to unproductivity.
Facts
- Stuttering affects more boys than girls.
- Stuttering can completely block an individual from producing a sound.
- Mostly occurs in children and they usually grow out of it.
- Stuttering could sometimes be the result of a head injury.
- For official diagnosis, the individual would have to meet a speech-language pathologist.
The best treatment for stuttering is ‘speech therapy’. In the developed nations like the USA and the UK, conscious efforts have been made to address the needs of PWS, to help them overcome or manage their stuttering through speech language therapy and counselling. However, in Africa and other developing nations, such support for PWS has not been easy to come across. Though there is no known cure for stuttering, providing psychological/emotional support through speech language therapy/counselling would go a long way in helping PWS gain confidence and skills to handle their stuttering and associated emotional stress.
There exists physical conditions that accompany stammering which include jaw ache, shortness of breath and tiredness due to excess workload on mind and body. Generally, these physical conditions are not treated specifically but it is always important to maintain a healthy and protein-rich diet to provide ample energy to the mind and body.
The Stuttering Association of Nigeria (SAN) is the body which covers stutterers in Nigeria. The association was formed and registered in 2006, to serve as a platform for PWS, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to come together to; support PWS, enlighten the public on stuttering and facilitate access of PWS to speech therapy/counselling.
- Chima Ordu, Admin Intern at Redcare HMO