Stuttering Facts
Is stuttering contagious?
False.
Stuttering is not contagious. You cannot “catch” stuttering from someone else.
Sometimes, people may notice or imitate the way others speak (especially young children), but this is not the same as developing stuttering. Stuttering is related to how a person’s speech and brain work, not something that spreads from person to person.
Is stuttering something you can fix?
Stuttering is not something that needs to be “fixed.” It is a natural way of speaking for some people. While individuals who stutter can learn strategies to communicate more comfortably and confidently, stuttering itself isn’t a problem to eliminate.
When an adult stutters, can they stutter for a couple of weeks and then suddenly stop and never stutter again?
No. Stuttering usually isn’t something that starts and stops suddenly in adults. It tends to follow a longer pattern, and everyone’s experience with stuttering is unique.
Interjections are repetitions of sounds or syllables within a word.
False – Interjections are extra inserted words (like “um”), not repetitions.
Prolongations are a type of stuttering in which a speaker holds a sound (e.g., “sssssun”).
True – Prolongations involve holding a sound for a long period of time.
Repetitions can occur on sounds, syllables, or entire words.
True – Repetitions vary and can happen at multiple linguistic levels.
Only people who stutter use interjections (words like “um” or “uh”).
False – Many people (not just people who stutter) use words like “um” or “uh” when they talk. People who stutter may use them more often or in different places in sentences when they are having trouble getting words out.
If you are 15 years old and have never stuttered before, are you still very likely to begin stuttering?
Most people who stutter begin in early childhood, typically between ages 2 and 6. If someone reaches their teenage years without stuttering, it is unlikely that they will suddenly start.
Stuttering is a natural way of speaking for some people, and when it does occur, it most often begins during early language development—not later in adulthood.
Is telling someone who stutters to “slow down” or “say it again” a good way to help them through stuttering?
False. Telling someone who stutters to “slow down” or repeat themselves is usually not helpful and can sometimes increase pressure or frustration. Stuttering is not simply caused by speaking too quickly, and these suggestions can make communication feel more difficult.
A more supportive approach is to:
Is stuttering a variable disorder?
True. Stuttering is highly variable, meaning it can change from moment to moment and situation to situation. A person who stutters might:
Does stuttering have to run in a family, or can someone stutter even if no one else in their family does?
Stuttering can happen both ways.
Some people who stutter have family members who also stutter, which shows there can be a genetic connection. However, many people who stutter do not have anyone else in their family who stutters.
Name one technique that people who stutter might use to support their communication.
One example is easy onset.
Easy onset is when a person starts speaking gently and smoothly, especially at the beginning of a word or phrase, rather than pushing the voice out quickly.
How many techniques are there to control or help stop stuttering?
There isn’t a set number.
There are many different strategies that people who stutter might choose to use, depending on what feels helpful for them. These can include things like:
Importantly, these strategies are tools for support, not “fixes.” No single approach works for everyone, and not everyone who stutters wants or needs to change how they speak.
How many Americans stutter? a) over 100 million b) over 5 million c) over 3 million
c) over 3 million
Is the brain of someone who stutters different from the brain of someone who does not stutter?
Yes, there can be differences in how speech is organized in the brain, but these are part of normal neurological diversity and do not make one brain better or worse than another.
When you stutter, your muscles are loose and relaxed.
False. When stuttering happens, the muscles involved in speech (like the lips, tongue, and vocal cords) may become tense or have difficulty coordinating smoothly. This is part of how stuttering can feel in the body for some people.
At the same time, everyone’s experience with stuttering is different.
If you are a person who stutters, will it always be part of your life?
True. Stuttering may always be part of someone’s life, but it doesn’t stop them from being strong, capable communicators. It’s just one part of how they speak, not who they are.