Understanding Stuttering: Common Questions About Stuttering, Bilingualism, and Support
What is stuttering?
Stuttering occurs when someone knows what they want to say and has the word in their brain, but it gets “stuck” in their oral speech mechanism (ex: tongue, lips, throat, vocal folds). If we think of the brain as a computer, and the oral speech mechanism as the printer, it is like the computer is working but the printer is not working.
Stuttering is more than disfluencies. All people have disfluent speech sometimes. We may pause to think about our words, say “um” or “uh” at times. Sometimes people with disfluent speech may exhibit signs that appear to be stuttering but may or may not be. It is important to note that some people who stutter have developed compensatory methods and may use some disfluent speech habits to hide their stuttering.
However, there are some characteristics very specific to stuttering:
One syllable repetitions (ex: I-I want milk, Mo-Mommy, The-The game is fun)
Sound repetitions (ex: p-p-en, c-c-cat)
Prolongations (ssssun, llllike)
Blocks: appears like pain or tension in the throat that causes the speech to halt. The person who stutters may possibly pause in their speech.
It is important to note that some people with stuttering may have formed strong compensatory methods by using word substitutions or word avoidance in order to hide their stutter. Therefore, sometimes you may not hear any of the aforementioned speech characteristics. If your child expresses concern to you that they stutter- even if you don’t hear it- it is crucial to validate their concerns and seek an evaluation.
What is NOT stuttering?
I want to restate and emphasize what I wrote above: All people have disfluent speech sometimes. We may pause to think about our words and say “um” or “uh” at times. Sometimes people with disfluent speech may exhibit signs that appear to be stuttering but may or may not be. It is important to note that some people who stutter have developed compensatory methods and may use the following typically disfluent speech patterns to hide their stuttering. These are some examples of typical disfluencies:
Interjections, such as adding “um” or “uh” to their speech
Whole word repetition (“That was a funny, funny movie.”)
Phrase Repetition: (“I am-I am having a good time.”)
Searching for Words or Incomplete Thoughts (“The name of the movie was (pause) … I can’t remember.”)
When should I seek speech therapy for my child’s stuttering?
There is no age when it’s too young to start speech therapy for stuttering.
At the same time, research shows that about 70%-75% of stuttering stops with no treatment. However, if the stutter persists around 7 years old, it is much less likely it will go away.
There are a few key factors which it is recommended to seek speech therapy immediately regardless of age:
Family history of stuttering
Stuttering symptoms that last more than 6 months
The child is avoiding speaking
The child has negative self-perception of their speech
How can speech therapy help with stuttering?
Successful speech therapy for stuttering often involves two major components:
Teaching evidence-based strategies that can help the person who stutters communicate more effectively and with greater confidence.
Supporting healthy attitudes toward communication by building confidence, reducing shame, and fostering self-acceptance.
Should I stop speaking more than one language?
No. There is no research showing that bilingualism causes stuttering or makes it worse.
Word searching in bilingual individuals is sometimes mistaken for stuttering because pauses while looking for a word are common when using more than one language. However, a pause could also be a stuttering block. A speech-language pathologist with experience evaluating bilingual individuals can help determine whether these moments are typical language differences or signs of stuttering.
Why do I (or my child) stutter more in one language than another?
Current research has not found a consistent pattern. Some bilingual people stutter more in their dominant language, while others stutter more in their second language.
One possible explanation is that some people naturally speak more slowly in their less dominant language. Research has also shown that some people who stutter experience fewer moments of stuttering while singing or acting. Similarly, using a second language may change speech patterns in a way that reduces stuttering for some individuals.
For others, speaking a less familiar language may feel more demanding or stressful, which can increase muscle tension during speech. While stuttering is not caused by anxiety, anxiety and stress can sometimes make stuttering more noticeable.
How can I support someone who stutters?
The best approach depends on the person's age, goals, and preferences. However, these general principles are helpful for many people:
Let them finish what they want to say without interrupting or finishing their sentences.
Show that their message matters more than how fluently they say it.
If they seem stuck, be patient. You might say, "Take your time. I'd really like to hear what you have to say."
Don't avoid the word stuttering as though it is something shameful. Talking about stuttering openly can help reduce stigma.
Avoid labeling speech as "good" or "bad." Instead of praising someone for being fluent, acknowledge their effort, courage, or willingness to communicate.Instead, I like thinking in terms of "easy speech days" and "hard speech days."
Remember that everyone, even people who do not stutter have "easy speech days" and "hard speech days." A hard speech day doe s not make someone's thoughts any less valuable or important. We’ve all had days where our brain is foggy and the words are not coming out as easily, even if we don’t have a stutter.
It's important to make room for two truths at the same time: it's okay to feel frustrated by stuttering and wish it weren't part of your life, and it's okay to accept yourself exactly as you are. Those two things can exist together.
Whether you are someone who stutters, a parent, or someone supporting a loved one, my hope is that you leave this page knowing two things: communication is about so much more than perfect speech, and no one should feel like they have to hide their voice to be heard.
I would be honored to partner with you to support communication development and confidence at any stage of life. I provide multilingual speech therapy services in English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese for children, teens and adults. I can provide speech therapy services in your home in Leander, Cedar Park, or North Austin, or teletherapy in Texas. Please reach out if I could be of service to you.