Stammering is also known as stuttering and describes a disruption in the flow/fluency of speech. The person knows what they want to say but has difficulty saying it. A stammer can consist of the following visible behaviours:
A person who stammers may also have a lot of ‘hidden symptoms’ such as fear and anxiety around talking or reduced confidence and self-esteem. They might also have developed compensatory strategies such as changing words or avoiding certain speaking situations. For some people who stammer, these symptoms can be more severe than the visible behaviours.
Types of Stammers:
What Causes Stammering?
Stammering usually starts in childhood and is known as ‘Developmental Stammering’. Whilst many children recover from this, for some it comes and goes and can continue into adulthood. The causes for developmental stammering are not fully understood, although having a family history of stammering and being male is linked to long term persistance.
It is also possible to have an ‘Acquired Stammer’ following a neurological event such as a head injury or stroke, a disease such as Parkinson’s disease, or taking certain medications. In some cases, stammering may also start following emotional or psychological trauma, ongoing stress or other illnesses.
Cluttering
Cluttering is closely linked to stammering/stuttering – one in three people who stammer, also show signs of cluttering. However, it can be a condition on its own, and often goes undiagnosed. It is closely linked to neurodiversity and other conditions such as social anxiety disorder.
Signs of cluttering may include the following:
A person who has a clutter (without a stutter) does not usually experience tension in their speech and may be less aware of their speech differences.
Our Speech and Language Therapy is tailored to each individual’s specific situation, ensuring that they receive the most appropriate and effective support. For example it may include;
We can also direct you to other appropriate support material available, such as support groups, apps and devices.
Contact us today to learn more about our personalised therapy services and how we can support you on your journey.
Sarah Costelloe
BSc (Hons) Cert.MRCSLT HCPC
Sarah is trained in the treatment of stuttering including Lidcombe, Palin PCI and Camperdown therapy. In addition she has carried out research funded by the Dominic Barker Trust into the development of childhood stuttering, and in relation to this has published a number of articles in this field, presented at international conferences and delivered training workshops in the UK and Canada.
There is no difference. The term stammering has historically been used in the UK and stuttering was mostly used in the USA. The terms are now used interchangeably to describe the same speech patterns.
Stammering can often come and go. You can experience periods of fluency and periods of increased stammering at different times in your life.
If a young child stutters there is a good chance it will resolve over time. However, if you are an adult and have had a stammer since childhood, it is likely that it will never completely go. However, speech therapy can help you manage your stammer at times when you feel it is affecting you most.
Adult stammering is when speech is disrupted by repetitions, prolongations, or getting stuck on words or sounds.
Adult stammering may continue from childhood or develop later due to neurological factors, injury, or psychological trauma.
Stammering often varies with stress, fatigue, time pressure, confidence, and the speaking situation (e.g., meetings or phone calls).
Anxiety doesn’t usually cause stammering, but it can increase tension and make stammering more noticeable.
Phone calls can feel higher pressure and provide fewer cues, which can increase stammering for many people.
Yes, speech and language therapy can reduce the impact of stammering and improve confidence and communication.
Therapy may include education, speech strategies, reducing struggle behaviours, and building confidence in real-life situations.
There’s no guaranteed cure, but many adults make significant improvements in control, ease, and confidence with the right support.
Yes! Stammering does not need to hold you back in achieving what you want to in life. Many people who stammer have had successful careers and fulfilling lives. Did you know that there are many famous people who stammer including Emily Blunt, Ed Sheran, Rowan Atkinson, Jo Biden and Ed Balls?
Sometimes though you might need some extra support to help you achieve your goals. For example, you might need to be given extra time for oral examinations or adaptations in job interviews. There are laws in place that mean you can ask for “reasonable adjustments” to be made.
It is never too late to give therapy a try.
There are probably many reasons why you haven’t sought help for your stuttering in the past. Maybe it was never really an issue for you, and you have got by, but life changes have meant it is now impacting you more.
It could be that you had negative experiences of therapy in the past or you don’t think therapy can make a difference. Everyone’s experiences of stuttering is different, and therapy is tailored to your needs.
For some people, it might be short term help to get them through a wedding speech. Others it might involve deeper exploration of feelings around stuttering and building self confidence around speaking.
Give them time, don’t interrupt or finish sentences, and focus on what they’re saying rather than how they’re saying it.
Thank you for sending all the feedback following a really good session on Monday. It's really exciting and encouraging to reflect on how well he is doing and all the changes and developments that have taken place since we started coming to see you. He also really loves coming to see you!
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