Stuttering and How Speech Therapy Can Help
What is stuttering?
Stuttering is a speech disorder that involves repetition and prolonging of sounds, syllables or words that interrupts the normal fluency and flow of speech. A person who stutters clearly knows what he or she wants to say but struggles to deliver in a natural flow. These disruptions of speech may be followed by signs of struggle, like fast blinking or trembling of the lips. Stuttering often affects a person’s quality of life and interpersonal connection as it can be tough to communicate with people. Additionally, stuttering can have a detrimental impact on one’s opportunities and job performance.
Symptoms of stuttering can change substantially throughout the course of a person's day. Speaking in front of a group or over the phone can generally make stuttering worse, while singing, reading aloud, or speaking in unison can temporarily reduce stuttering.
Stuttering is often seen among young children as a natural part of learning to speak, because their speech and language skills are not developed enough to keep up with what they want to say. Typically, most children will outgrow this developmental stuttering.
However, stuttering can occasionally be a lifelong issue that lasts well into adulthood, and it may cause an impact on one’s self-esteem and social interactions with others.
How is stuttering diagnosed?
Stuttering is typically diagnosed by a speech-language pathologist, a medical practitioner with training in testing and treating people with voice, speech, and language impairments. The speech-language pathologist will take into account a number of things, such as the child's case history (such as when the stuttering was first noticed and under what circumstances), an analysis of the child's stuttering behaviours, an assessment of the child's speech and language abilities, and an assessment of the impact of stuttering on the child's life.
When evaluating a young child for stuttering, the speech-language pathologist will try to determine whether the child will keep stuttering or outgrow it. The speech-language pathologist will take into account of the family history for stuttering, whether the child has been stuttering for six months or longer, and whether the child has any additional speech or language issues.
How can stuttering be treated?
Children and adults who stutter may benefit from treatments such as speech therapy, using electronic devices to improve speech fluency or cognitive behavioral therapy.
Early treatment for stuttering can help prevent it from becoming a chronic issue. The best course of action will depend on how frequently and severely you stutter, and your doctor may advise you to visit a speech therapist for an effective treatment.
Speech therapy will include regular sessions with the speech therapist as well as some speech exercises to practice regularly at home. Speech therapy from a qualified speech and language therapist will help you improve your speech and identify the underlying causes of your stutter.
Choose Well Rehab as your preferred centre for speech therapy in Malaysia
Difficulties with voice, speech and language can seriously affect the quality of everyday life in both adults and children.
At Well Rehab, we ensure your speech and communication improves with professional treatments.
As Malaysia's leading provider of speech therapy and physiotherapy services, Well Rehab are the preferred, qualified and certified professionals that are trusted nationwide.
For more information about our therapies or services in Malaysia, you may contact us at +60 12 512 8487 or email
wellrehabmanagement@gmail.com
