What Is Stuttering?

Stuttering also known as stammering is a common speech disorder in which the normal flow of speech is disrupted by frequent repetitions, blocks or prolongations of speech sounds, syllables or words. Children who stutter know what they want to say, but have difficulty saying it. Their speech disruptions may also be accompanied by struggle behaviours such as rapid eye blinks, tremors of the lips or jaw or other body movements.

Certain situations,such as speaking before a group of people or talking on the telephone, tend to make stuttering more severe, whereas other situations, such as singing or speaking alone, often improve fluency.

Can you give me some examples of stuttering in children & adults ?

Some of the common examples are as follows –

• Part-word repetitions – “I w-w-w-want water.”
• One-syllable word repetitions – “Go-go-go away.”
• Prolonged sounds – “Sssssssudha is nice.”
• Blocks or stops – “I want a……(pause) biscuit.”

What are the causes of stuttering ?

Stuttering usually starts between 2 and 6 years of age. Many children go through normal periods of disfluency lasting less than 6 months. Stuttering lasting longer than this may need treatment.

There is no one cause of stuttering. Possible causes include the following:

• Family history: Many people who stutter have a family member who also stutters.
• Brain differences: People who stutter may have small differences in the way their brain works during speech.

What is Stuttering therapy?

Stuttering therapy is a combination of different approaches that an SLP (Speech therapist) uses to treat children with stuttering. The treatment strategies are –

• Direct strategies – help your child change how they speak.
• Indirect strategies – are ways to help make it easier for your child to talk.
These strategies can include slowing down your own speech and asking
fewer questions.

Based on the child’s needs, a single or combination of methods may be utilized. Treatment may not eliminate all stuttering, but it can teach skills that help to:

• Improve speech fluency
• Develop effective communication
• Participate fully in school and social activities

It is also designed to reduce the fears and concerns often expressed by parents of young children who stutter.

Who needs Stuttering therapy?

Child who shows any of the following signs:

• Stuttering has lasted for 6 months or more.
• Starts to stutter more often.
• Tenses up or struggles when talking.
• Avoids talking or says it is too hard to talk.
• There is a family history of stuttering.

How long do you need Stuttering Therapy?

The amount of stuttering therapy and the length of time a child needs therapy depends on a few factors, including:

● Their age
● Type and severity
● Frequency of therapy
● Underlying medical condition

What is unique about stuttering therapy at
Parijma?

Parijma Neurodiagnostic & Rehabilitation Center is one of the oldest & most comprehensive Multidisciplinary neuro-rehabilitation center in the state with over 30 years of trusted neurology & neuro-rehab care.

Each child and adult is individually assessed to determine his/her issues, area of strength &weakness and then a customized treatment and therapy plan is prepared in consultation with pediatric or adult neurologist, and the Speech language pathologist .This way, we focus on improving the areas of weakness and enhancing the areas of strength. This ensures maximal improvement in a relatively short time in most children.

Since most neurological disorders involve multiple areas of the brain causing multiple issues, our focus at Parijma since the last 30 years has been on –

Multi-disciplinary management – Parijma is one of the few centers that involves multiple specialists (pediatric or adult neurologists, physiotherapists, child psychologists, early intervention / behaviour therapists, speech and Occupational therapists) for the treatment & management of each child and adult……as & when needed.

Customized treatment and therapy plan – No child or adult with neurological disorder has the same issues. In the same way, at Parijma, each child or adult is individually evaluated & a customized / tailor-made treatment & therapy plan is started.

IMPROV THERAPY – At Parijma, we have now started a unique (one of its kind) online rehabilitation therapy in speech therapy (and other specialities too) called as IMPROV THERAPY.

This can be done comfortably sitting at your home. Our therapist will take you through the whole range of exercises for you or your child online at your time of convenience. All that you need for this purpose is a smartphone and stable internet connection