Stuttering Disorder

Stuttering, scientifically known as stammering is a speech disorder in which the normal flow of speech is frequently disrupted by repetitions of sounds, syllables, words or phrases, pauses and prolongations that differ both in frequency and severity from those of a normally fluent speaker.

The term stuttering is most often associated with involuntary sound repetition. An example of involuntary sound repetition, would be:
– Trying to say the word “ken”, but instead saying “k-k-ken”
Often times these individuals will put words together. An example would be:
– “Llllllets g-g-go home”
Not only is stuttering involuntary sound repetition it also contains the unnormal hesitation or pausing before speech. This pause or hesitation is commonly called a “block”.

Alot of the variables that make up ‘true’ stuttering cannot be heard or seen by a listener. The things that cannot be observed include:
– word and sound and situational fears
– shame
– anxiety
– tension