Stuttering
Stuttering refers to a disruption in the flow of speech. It can include:
• Repetitions of sounds, syllables, words or phrases
• Pauses where no sound comes out when a person is trying to speak
• Getting stuck on a sound
• Body movements such as grimacing or blinking
Research has shown that stuttering can be treated in adolescents by teaching a new way of speaking such that words begin gently, are linked together smoothly and pauses are taken in the right place. Learning, practicing and applying these strategies can produce fluent speech in everyday speaking situations.