Overton Speech & Language Center

Stuttering: A Complex Disorder

Stuttering is a complex speech disorder that affects approximately three million Americans. It is characterized by speech behaviors, which are the core of the disorder, and cognitive and affective behaviors, which become associated with speaking after the person has stuttered for a period of time.

Nobody knows what causes stuttering, but current research indicates that it is caused by a complex interaction between many different variables: hereditary, physiological, psychological and environmental. In fact, many researchers now view stuttering as a heterogeneous disorder involving multiple causes.

Stuttering typically begins in early childhood (between the ages of 2 and 5) when speech and language abilities are developing very rapidly. While there is no cure for chronic stuttering, if treated early, before the child begins to respond emotionally to the problem with frustration, fear and avoidance, the chances are good that stuttering will not become a life-long problem, and that the child will not even remember having stuttered.

Older children and adults who stutter can also reduce the severity of their stuttering, develop increased fluency and significantly improve their ability to communicate freely. However, it is a much more difficult task than with young children because of the attitudes, fears, and avoidance behaviors that have become associated with speaking. These affective (feeling) and cognitive (thought) behaviors are harder, and slower, to change than the speech behaviors, but they must be changed for treatment to have long-term success.

The reason that treatment for young children who stutter is successful so much more often than for older children and adults is because the affective and cognitive behaviors have not yet developed, or are in the early stages of development. By intervening early, treatment for the behaviors that are the hardest and slowest to change is either eliminated, or substantially reduced. That's why early intervention for children who stutter is so important.

You may find that the following articles can help you understand the complex area of stuttering:

What Causes Stuttering?

Is My Child Stuttering? (in the "Recognizing Disorders in Young Children" page)

Stuttering in Young Children: When Is It Time to Intervene?

Talking About Stuttering: What Parents Can Do to Help

Ways to Help Children Improve their Fluency: Suggestions for Parents

Early Identification of Stuttering: The Physician's Role

Self-Talk: What It Is and How It Can Help Us Change

Effective Change of Behaviors

Stuttering Terms

Stuttering and Insurance Coverage

Some Resources for More Information on Stuttering