WHAT IS "FLUENCY" OR "STUTTERING?"
Stuttering refers to a break in fluent or smooth, forward-moving speech. Everyone has dysfluencies from time to time. "Stuttering" is speech that has more dysfluencies than is considered average. There are many kinds of dysfluencies. Those heard in the speech of normal speakers include fillers ("um," "ah"), hesitations, whole-word and phrase repetitions, and revisions. Dysfluencies more characteristic of stuttering include sound or syllable repetition, prolongations (unnatural stretching out of sounds), and blocks (sound gets stuck and cannot come out). Type, frequency, and duration of dysfluency can differentiate stuttering from normal dysfluencies. The speech of the average speaker has up to 7-10% dysfluencies. Stuttering occurs at frequencies greater than 10% and can last from a half second up to 30 seconds, and is accompanied by tension. Many children go through a period of normal nonfluency between the ages of 2 and 5 years.
There are many theories and misconceptions about the cause of stuttering. There are many myths also. Here are some facts:
- Stuttering occurs more often in males than females, about 3:1.
- The incidence is between 5-10%.
- It is not a symptom of emotional or mental problems. Stuttering may be a source of stress and cause emotional difficulties.
- Stutterers are not less intelligent; they are of normal intelligence.
- Stuttering is not learned by imitating others who stutter.