Stammering or stuttering is not a disease but just a speech disorder. Approximately 1.5% of the world population is affected by this speech disorder. So, we can say that it is quite a common problem. Stammering occurs when normal speech is interrupted by the repetition or extension of involuntary sounds, words, or syllable. It can range in frequency and intensity from mild to severe. Sometimes this condition can intensify while speaking in front of a group of people or talking on the phone. However, singing or reading can reduce stammering.
Who Are Affected With This Speech Disorder?
Childhood is a crucial time of speech and language development that’s why stammering usually occurs in childhood. It is more common in children between the ages of 2 and 5. However, mostly it persists only for a couple of weeks or months but in some rare cases, it persists into adulthood as well. Stammering can affect anyone but it is more common in men than women.
What Causes Stammering?
There are various theories about the causes of stammering. Some say it is due to a particular form of a brain damage while other says it developed due to anxiety. But the fact is, experts still don’t know what exactly causes the stammering. However, there are also a variety of factors that are blamed to cause speech disorder. These factors may include one or more of the following.
Genetics:
Some experts agree that stammering has a genetic component and it runs in the families. However, it can also be accompanied by some other genetic disorders or low brain cells.
Developmental Stammering:
This form of stammering is temporary. It affects the young children and usually starts beginning at the age of 18 months to 2 years. But it resolves as children progress in age and learn to speak fluently.
Neurological Factors:
It has been found in a research that people who stammer process language differently than those who have no speech disorder. It seems like people have nerve problems with transmission of nerve signals between the speech nerves and brain.
If you have this speech disorder then you can consult with the speech therapist. And if your child has a problem in speaking then don’t be a parent who is reluctant to seek speech therapy for their stammer child. Moreover, try to speak slowly and calmly to your stammer child and pay attention to what your child is saying, not the way he is saying it. This way it will be easy for both of you and your child to communicate with each other.
