Stammering and stuttering mean the same thing
Causes? Stammering is neurological. It is not caused by nerves, lack of confidence, or lack of intelligence
Impact? We know from adults who stammer that their experiences in childhood can affect mental health, academic success, and employment prospects
Therapy? There is no ‘cure’ for stammering – We embrace stammering as a how some people talk and provide therapy to support and empower children and young people to communicate to their full potential and say what they want to say, when they want to say it, without fear or struggle.
Referrals can be made for any child or young person who stammers (ages 0-18). Please don’t ‘watch and wait’ – early referral ensures the best outcomes for children and young people.
Stammering is:
- Repeating words/parts of words/sounds e.g. I I I I I want…. Or d d d dog
- Stretching out sounds e.g. sssssssausage
- Getting stuck and no sound coming out
And it can also be:
- Variable
- Often accompanied by negative thoughts and feelings about their stammer which impacts on them educationally, socially, and on their mental well being
- Hidden: usually because of the negative reactions they receive from others.
- Accompanied by other things such as: holding their breath, gasping, exaggerated breathing, nodding their head, blinking forcefully, stamping, clenching their hands, facial tension, or avoiding certain words or talking situations.
