HealthInfo Canterbury
Stuttering in teenagers
Stuttering, or stammering, is an interruption to the flow of your speech that you can't control. It can happen in different ways, such as:
- repeating sounds ("W w w where is my book?")
- repeating words ("Give give give it to me")
- prolongations, or stretching sounds ("That cccccomputer is great")
- blocks or pauses (I – I like hip-hop).
We don't know exactly what causes stuttering, but we think it is caused by difficulties in the part of the brain that produces speech. It may also be partly genetic, as stuttering often runs in families.
About 1% of the population stutters. It usually develops in childhood, and may come and go as you get older. If you experience any interruptions in your speech, such as repetitions, prolongations or blockages, you may have a stutter.
Diagnosing stuttering in teenagers
Only a qualified speech-language therapist or paediatrician can diagnose stuttering. There is no simple test your doctor can use.
Treating stuttering in teenagers
Several treatment approaches are available for teenagers who stutter. Your speech-language therapist will choose the best one to meet your needs.
Self-care for stuttering in teenagers
There are several things you and your family can do to help lessen the impact of stuttering.
- If you're avoiding speaking situations, it's a great idea to see a speech-language therapist who has experience in working with teenagers to find out how they can help.
- Your parents can help by:
- not making negative comments about your stuttering
- being supportive and making sure you get the help you need.
- Learn more about stuttering by visiting the START website (Stuttering Treatment and Research Trust). START is based in Auckland, but offers consultations via telephone and Skype.
You can also learn more by reading these online resources about stuttering:
- Action for Stammering Children – About stammering
Information about what causes stuttering and advice on how to cope with it.
- Stuttering Foundation – Teens
Information just for teenagers, includes videos and leaflets you can download.
Getting help for stuttering in teenagers
A speech-language therapist can help you to work through the issues you have with stuttering and find solutions that suit you. They can help you to:
- learn techniques that help you to control stuttering
- develop confidence as a speaker
- work on your thoughts and feelings about talking
- deal with specific difficulties or problems, like teasing or bullying.
Check through your school if there is any publicly funded help available to you.
You may wish to pay to see a private speech-language therapist. You can search for a therapist on the Speech-language Therapists' Association website.
Contact a support group:
- New Zealand Speak Easy Association
This self-help organisation was set up in 1988 to support people who stutter. It has a local Christchurch group.
- START (Stuttering Treatment and Research Trust)
START aims to increase awareness of stuttering, and to accurately assess and provide best-practice treatment for children, young people and adults who stutter.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed August 2021.
Review key: HISCD-79694
