Stuttering

Diagnosis

When diagnosing stuttering, a healthcare provider will start by observing any symptoms and asking about the individual’s health history, including the onset and frequency of symptoms. For children, stuttering is often diagnosed by a pediatrician, typically after symptoms are noticed by parents or observed during routine check-ups. Developmental stuttering, the most common form of persistent stuttering, is usually diagnosed in childhood. However, there are rare cases where adults with persistent stuttering may not have received a diagnosis as children. Diagnostic tests are generally not required for developmental stuttering.

Acquired stuttering:
If stuttering begins suddenly in adulthood, it may warrant further investigation as it could be indicative of other health issues such as aphasia, often caused by conditions like traumatic brain injury (TBI), strokes, or brain tumors. In such cases, the following diagnostic tests may be conducted:

• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scans

Treatment

Although treatment may not completely eradicate stuttering, it can equip you or your child with the skills necessary for effective communication, increased fluency, and active participation in social, academic, and occupational engagements.

A speech-language pathologist can help determine the most effective treatment plan after conducting an evaluation. There are many strategies available for treating stuttering in both adults and children. Because each person’s challenges and needs differ, a method or combination of methods that works well for one person might not be as effective for another.

Here are a few examples of treatment approaches:

• Speech therapy: The primary treatment for all types of stuttering is speech therapy. You can learn to slow down your speech and recognize when you stutter with speech therapy. When you first start speech therapy, you can talk very slowly and deliberately. You can gradually get more comfortable with a more natural speech pattern.

For children, this includes education and exercises that assist stuttering symptoms get better until they go away. The kind, intensity, and behaviors of stuttering determine the methods and activities used in speech treatment. Treatment duration and frequency may also be important factors.

• Electronic devices: There are lots of electronic devices available to help with fluency. When using a single device, you will have delayed feedback, which means you have to speak more slowly or the machine will distort your words. Your speech is mimicked by another device, giving the impression that you are speaking with someone else. Certain electronic devices are compact enough to be worn while going about daily tasks. Seek advice from a speech-language pathologist while selecting a device.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: This particular form of psychotherapy, also known as mental health treatment, can assist you in recognizing and altering thought patterns that may worsen your stutter. Stuttering-related problems with tension, worry, or low self-esteem can also be eliminated or significantly improved with its assistance.
• Parent-child interaction: Helping your child deal with stuttering, particularly with some therapy methods, requires practicing skills at home with them. To determine the best approach for your child, refer to the advice provided by the speech-language pathologist.
• Medicine: Direct medication treatment for stuttering is uncommon. While research is ongoing, several medications have been tested to treat stuttering, but none have yet been shown to be effective. However, stuttering is frequently accompanied with mental health issues like anxiety or depression, which can be treated with medication. Examples of medication used in this manner are anti-anxiety and depression medications (antidepressants).