What are stammering, stuttering and dysfluency?
These words all mean the same thing. On this page we will use the word “stammering”. Stammering is repeating words, repeating sounds, stretching sounds or getting stuck on a word. Sometimes there may be other things that happen at the same time, such as eye-blinking. Some people may find that they avoid certain words or situations so that their stammer is not easily noticeable by other people (this is sometimes called “covert” or “interiorized” stammering).
Who does stammering affect?
Stammering can affect children and adults. About one in 100 people have a stammer. In older children and adults, more males stammer than females – the ratio is about 4:1. It will often begin between the ages of two and five years. Sometimes children grow out of it, either with or without speech therapy input. In other cases, it continues into adulthood.
What causes stammering?
We are not sure what causes stammering. Recent research suggests it may result from the way people’s brains process speech. Stammering is not caused by anxiety or nervousness, though these may cause it to get worse sometimes. There could be a genetic factor because stammering sometimes – but not always – runs in families. To find out more about latest research, go to http://www.stammering.org/research.html
How can speech and language therapy help?
There is no guaranteed ‘cure’ for stammering. However, speech and language therapy can help you communicate more effectively by helping you to:
- develop strategies to deal with stammering, e.g. slowed speech, easy onset, block modification
- become less sensitive and anxious about your stammering
- address the way you feel about stammering
How do I contact speech and language therapy in Newcastle?
For any queries, or to self-refer and arrange an appointment, please contact the Speech and Language Therapy Department:
Telephone: 0191 213 8841 (answerphone available)
Text: 07852 902602
Face to face appointments take place at one of the speech and language therapy departments, either at the RVI hospital or at Denton Park Health Centre, West Denton Way, Newcastle, NE5 2QW. Appointments may also be online via video call.
Appointments will last approximately 45 minutes. At the initial appointment we will decide together what to do next; this may mean a series of regular appointments and then a review.
Please note: for children’s appointments, please contact: 0191 2823085 (answerphone available).
Stammering support group
We have recently started a support group in Newcastle for adults who stammer. The group meets monthly, and is a friendly, supportive atmosphere, where people can come together to share ideas, strategies and experiences.
- Here are some of the things our group members like about the group:
- We can discuss stammering with people who understand
- There is no pressure to hide the stammering
- It’s reassuring to be reminded that “it’s not just me”
- We can learn from things that we have in common and things that are different
- We can share successes to encourage each other
For more information about the group, please phone us on 0191 2824324 (answerphone available), or email: [email protected]
Further information
The British Stammering Association is a very good source of information on stammering
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can offer on-the-spot advice and information about the NHS. You can contact them on freephone 0800 032 02 02 or e-mail [email protected]
If you would like further information about health conditions and treatment options, you may wish to have a look at the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk
