Diseases
stuttering
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Stuttering — also called stammering or childhood-onset fluency disorder — is a speech disorder that involves frequent and significant problems with normal fluency and flow of speech. People who stutter know what they want to say, but have difficulty saying it.
Symptoms
- difficulty starting a word, phrase or sentence
- prolonging a word or sounds within a word
- repetition of a sound, syllable or word
- brief silence for certain syllables or words, or pauses within a word
- addition of extra words such as "um"
Causes
- abnormalities in speech motor control
- genetics.
Risk factors
- delayed childhood development.
- having relatives who stutter.
- stress.
Diagnosis
- the speech-language pathologist observes the adult or child speak
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is stuttering?
Stuttering — also called stammering or childhood-onset fluency disorder — is a speech disorder that involves frequent and significant problems with normal fluency and flow of speech. People who stutter know what they want to say, but have difficulty saying it.
What are the symptoms of stuttering?
difficulty starting a word, phrase or sentence, prolonging a word or sounds within a word, repetition of a sound, syllable or word, brief silence for certain syllables or words, or pauses within a word, addition of extra words such as "um"
What causes stuttering?
abnormalities in speech motor control; genetics.
Which medicines are used for stuttering?
olanzapine
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