Stuttering Disorder

Space City Speech

Stuttering impacts no more than 1% of the population, which makes it a frequently ignored or denounced matter. The ratio of females to males who stutter is around 1:4. 

Individuals who stammer are just like typical individuals – they know exactly what they want to say, though they have difficulty producing sounds and words fluently.

What Is Stuttering Speech Disorder?

Stuttering, also called stammering or childhood-onset fluency disorder, is a speech disorder that involves repeated and severe problems with normal fluency and flow of speech. The definitive cause of stuttering is unknown, but some studies recommend that those with a familial history are prone to stutter.

Can adults get speech therapy for stuttering?

Yes! Although speech and communication complications are prevalent in the U.S., speech therapy is proven to be a suitable, potent treatment for these conditions. Speech therapy is adequate for both kids and adults, and SLPs can apply several techniques to help individuals develop their communication skills. 

Generally, countless adults looking for long-term developments in stuttering will have a twice-a-week therapy anywhere from 6 to 18 months.

How effective is speech therapy for stuttering?

Although there is no cure for stuttering, speech therapy can be especially effective in helping people get the better of their speech. Stuttering therapy is suitable for someone who is troubled by his stammering. 

While stuttering treatment for adults normally takes longer, it is equally effective, because the therapy methods are straightforward. An adult patient can assume responsibility and track their improvement throughout the therapy. 

Call us and I can explain methods options that befit your feelings about stuttering.

Can speech therapy fix stuttering?

Therapy may not straighten out all stuttering; however, it can teach techniques to moderate the pace of your speech and learn to sense when you stammer. You may talk extremely slowly and carefully when starting the therapy, though eventually, you can muster a more normal speech pattern. 

Speech therapy is certainly the best long-term regimen for stuttering, regardless if you are getting it from an SLP or using an innovative anti-stuttering software.

Does insurance cover speech therapy for stuttering?

It depends. Many, if not all, private health insurance plans offer great coverage for stuttering assessments. In fact, ASHA supports coverage of speech-language pathology treatment for stuttering since it is medically required to treat this physiologically-based condition.

If your plan is denied, contact your speech pathologist and ask for the most up-to-date assessment report or progress note summarizing your or your child’s improvement. Furthermore, request a short appeal letter that expresses why continued therapy is vital.

Therapy methods & goals:

Though there is no “cure” for stuttering, several treatment options may help people who stutter. Many treatment methods are considered behavioral, indicating the person is practicing certain behaviors or skills that lead to improved verbal communication over time.

Fluency Shaping

Treatment for stuttering that stresses lessening disfluent speech is commonly known as fluency shaping. It includes various operant strategies that may substitute stuttered speech with fluent stuttering. 

Generally, SLPs work to help reduce the severity of stuttering and its effect on an individual’s ability to communicate.

Slow down – Among the more efficient methods to prevent a stutter is speaking more moderately. Hurrying to create thought can make you stutter, expedite your talk, or have difficulty uttering the words. 

Deep breathing and speaking unhurriedly can help. Allow those around you to understand that you’re working on this and that their consideration can actually help.

1. Avoid trigger words – People who stammer must not sense as if they need to avoid using certain words when those are not their preference. But some individuals may want to steer clear from some words that are likely to make them stutter. In such a situation, it might be crucial to create a list of these words and look for alternatives to apply.
2. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you concentrate on being deeply conscious of what you’re sensing or feeling, your thoughts or a specific action as of the moment. This can help you in relaxing and relieving stress.
3. Self-help group: Working with others who stammer can be useful for most individuals. Self-help groups allow people to explore extra support and comfort for stuttering.

Occasionally, SLPs might use an assistive device to aid with the treatment. Some of these devices work by helping people decelerate their speech. Others simulate speech so that it appears as if the person is speaking simultaneously with someone else. Other devices are worn, such as hearing aids, and they can produce distracting background noise that’s perceived to help overcome stuttering. 

Speech therapists can likewise collaborate with family members and teachers to have a clearer picture and better respond. When communicating with a person who stutters, professionals recognize it is best not to interfere, though it is better to provide the person a chance to say what they wish to say. It’s vital not to fill in words or finish sentences as this can cause the person to feel obliged to talk faster.

Goals for Therapy

Stuttering therapy for children and adults typically suggests altering persistent speech behaviors, sentiments, and attitudes about speaking and communication as a whole. Consequently, the duration and kind of therapy can vary considerably depending on the goals. Therapy goals for children and adults include:

• Reducing the frequency of stuttering
• Lowering the stress and strain of stuttering moments
• Working to minimize word or case delays
• Knowing more about stammering
• Using practical communication skills like phrasing, gestures, and eye contact
• Figuring out if goals are in tune with long-term development or to meet a particular temporary need, like a job interview