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Stammering

Background

Stammering (or stuttering) is not just a speech problem, it is a problem of communication. It is "characterised by stoppages and disruptions in fluency which interrupt the smooth flow and timing of speech. These stoppages may take the form of repetitions of sounds, syllables or words, or of prolongations of sounds so that words seem to be stretched out, and can involve silent blocking of the airflow of speech when no sound is heard" (Enderby, 1996). Speech may sound forced, tense or jerky. People who stammer may avoid certain words or situations which they know will cause them difficulty.

What are the symptoms? View What are the symptoms?

Medical text written November 1999 by Elaine Christie. BSc. Reg. MRCSLT., Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, British Stammering Association, London, UK. Last updated October 2004 by Karen E Allen, BSc. Reg MRCSLT., Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, British Stammering Association, London, UK.

 

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