by Amber Hodgson, M.A., CCC-SLP
Stuttering is a disorder that affects the normal flow and pattern of speech. Another
word for stuttering, or disrupted speech, is disfluency. These disruptions in speech
production can occur on sounds, syllables, or words. Common types of disfluencies
include repetitions (“M-MM- Mom”), prolongations (“MMMMom”), and blocks (“M— om”).
In addition to disfluencies in speech, many individuals display struggling behaviors
or avoidance behaviors to help them get through the stuttering moment. These physical
characteristics are secondary behaviors of stuttering.
What Do Secondary Behaviors of Stuttering Look Like?
In order to try to prevent disfluent moments, or to break out of them once they
have already begun, individuals who stutter may show different physical behaviors.
According to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition
(2000), these associated physical features can include “eye blinks, tics, tremors
of the lips or face, jerking of the head, breathing movements, or fist clenching.”
You may notice an individual demonstrating these behaviors in more stressful situations,
such as when they fear a word because it is hard to say or because that word is
a “trigger” for the stuttering.
Fear of sounds, words, people, or speaking situations can cause a person who stutters
to use avoidance or escape behaviors. For example, to prevent stuttering, a person
might talk around the desired word (circumlocution), substitute a different word,
delay a comment, interject starter sounds and words (“um,” “ah,” “you know”), cover
the mouth, avoid eye contact, refuse to speak, or use vocal abnormalities (speaking
rapidly, in a whisper, slowly, in a monotone voice, or with an accent).
How Can Stuttering and Associated Behaviors Be Treated?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is a trained professional who can assess, diagnose,
and treat stuttering. The SLP will look at many factors, including family history, the type
and frequency of the disfluencies, secondary behaviors and triggers, and any other
speech/language concerns. If intervention is recommended at that time, an individualized
treatment plan will be put into place.
Many treatment programs for people who stutter are “behavioral.” Behavioral programs
help people who stutter develop more positive attitudes toward communication. Other
ways to provide intervention include having the SLP teach individuals who stutter
to control and/or monitor their speaking rate and breathing. They also may have
their clients start saying words in a slightly slower and less physically tense
manner. SLPs will often involve the family in treatment. They will encourage them
to use different techniques that promote fluent speech at home. Finally, follow-up
sessions may be necessary after completion of formal treatment.
Resource
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association,
2000.
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