Speech therapy

Stammering (also called stuttering) is a speech fluency disorder where the flow of speech is disrupted, making it hard to speak smoothly. ⸻ What Happens in Stammering A person may show: • Repetition of sounds or syllables “b-b-ball” • Prolongation of sounds “ssssun” • Blocks (no sound comes out for a moment) • Secondary behaviors: eye blinking, facial tension, head movement ⸻ Why Stammering Occurs • Neurodevelopmental differences in speech-motor control • Genetic factors (often runs in families) • Language–speech mismatch (thoughts faster than speech) • Stress or anxiety (worsens but does not cause stammering) Stammering is not caused by poor parenting or intelligence issues. ⸻ Who Is Commonly Affected • Usually begins between 2–5 years • More common in boys • May be associated with ASD, ADHD, language delay, but can also occur alone ⸻ When to Seek Therapy Consult a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) if: • Stammering lasts below 6 months • Child shows struggle, tension, or avoidance • There is family history • Child is below 4 years with increasing stammering ⸻