People who stutter usually have more—and different types of—disfluencies than other people. They may repeat parts of words, stretch a sound out for a long time, or get stuck before starting a word or in the middle of saying a word. Stuttering also may include tension and negative feelings about talking.
Stuttering affects more than 70 million people around the world. At some point in life, 5–8% of people experience the condition, which is also known as childhood-onset fluency disorder (COFD). By ...
Stuttering causes uncontrolled movements or spasms in the muscles you use for speaking. Seven key symptoms make up the official criteria for stuttering, and you have to have at least one of them for a healthcare provider to diagnose it:
We provide free online resources, services and support to those who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering. Your voice matters—even when it takes time to come out. Your ideas are valuable—even when they arrive with effort. You belong at every table you sit at—even when your seat feels shaky.
Stuttering is common among young children as a usual part of learning to speak. Some young children may stutter when their speech and language abilities aren't developed enough to keep up with what they want to say.
Stuttering is purely a neurological disconnect between intent and outcome during the task of expressing each individual sound.
Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by repetition or prolongation of sounds, and interruptions in speech. Learn more about types, diagnosis, and treatment.
Stuttering is a communication disorder that affects the flow of speech. About 5% of children experience a period of stuttering lasting six months or more. There is a working theory that stuttering has a neurological basis.