What is a stuttering condition called?

Question

I am watching MTV (don't hate, sometimes they're very informative) True Life on stuttering. A couple of young people like myself have these stuttering problems and it's so heartbreaking! I couldn't help but get teary-eyed when I saw a beauty pageant contestant with that problem.

I am a psych major at UCLA and graduating in June and I have NEVER heard of a condition like this. I admit I do stutter once in a while when I am nervous, but it's just common for most people during nervous situations.

It's really sad that stuttering can be made as a joke sometimes, but people don't understand that it is a condition, not always a once in a while occurrence.

My question is this. Is this something neurological? Maybe some part of the lobe related to speech is damaged? Or is it in the chords? Maybe something in the brain that allows you to think of what you're going to say, but it doesn't come out right?

I just want to give these people a hug! I feel so motivated to do something about it.

I just saw some guy on the show who had difficulties applying for a job over the phone because people think it's a prank call and don't take them seriously. This is so sad!

Answer 1

It is just called stuttering, or stammering in the UK. There are several reasons why people stutter. For my family, it is genetics. Here is some information from The Stuttering Foundation of America:

"What is stuttering? Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak.

What causes stuttering? There are four factors most likely to contribute to the development of stuttering: genetics ( approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who does also); child development (children with other speech and language problems or developmental delays are more likely to stutter); neurophysiology ( recent research has shown that people who stutter process speech and language in different areas of the brain than those who do not stutter); and family dynamics ( high expectations and fast-paced lifestyles can contribute to stuttering).

Stuttering may occur when a combination of factors comes together and may have different causes in different people. It is probable that what causes stuttering differs from what makes it continue or get worse." Find more here http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=17

There are things that people can do to help those who stutter. One is learning how to communicate with them so their stuttering is lessened and another is educating as many people as possible how to do this. The Stuttering Foundation of America has online downloadable brochures that can be handed out to teachers, employers, and anyone. They can also be purchased in bulk from the Foundation in their estore.

Some people have taken them to libraries or made posters out of them and asked libraries and schools to put them up.

Articles can be written to your local newspaper about how to help people who stutter and letting employers know that stuttering does not hamper the person from being a good employee. Many stutterers are highly intelligent!

Answer 2

There are a couple of causes of stuttering, one of which is neurological.
According to NIH, stuttering is thought to be developmental. This relaxed type of stuttering is felt to occur when a child's speech and language abilities are unable to meet his or her verbal demands. Stuttering happens when the child searches for the correct word.
Another common form of stuttering is neurogenic. Neurogenic disorders arise from signal problems between the brain and nerves or muscles. In neurogenic stuttering, the brain is unable to coordinate adequately the different components of the speech mechanism. Neurogenic stuttering may also occur following a stroke or other type of brain injury.
Some also believe that stuttering can be caused by anxiety.

If you really want to help, you can become a speech-language pathologist with a few more years of schooling. Or check this website to see if there is anything you can do to help: http://www.stutteringhelp.org/