What is Stuttering?
Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects the flow and timing of speech. It's not about nervousness or forgetting words—it's about the physical production of speech.
Understanding Stuttering
Stuttering (also called stammering) is a communication disorder that disrupts the normal flow of speech. People who stutter know exactly what they want to say—their brain just has difficulty coordinating the complex muscle movements needed to say it smoothly.
Imagine trying to speak while someone randomly hits the pause button on your voice. Sometimes words come out easily; other times, they get stuck. This unpredictability is one of the most frustrating aspects of stuttering.
How Stuttering Sounds and Looks
Stuttering can manifest in different ways, and most people who stutter experience a combination of these.
Repetitions
Repeating sounds, syllables, or words
Example: "I w-w-want to go" or "I want-want-want to go"
Prolongations
Stretching out a sound longer than normal
Example: "Sssssometimes I feel..." or "Mmmmmom"
Blocks
Getting stuck with no sound coming out, often with visible tension
Example: "I want to... [silence/tension]... go home"
Secondary Behaviors
Physical movements or avoidance strategies that develop over time
Example: Eye blinking, head nodding, word substitution, avoiding speaking situations
What Causes Stuttering?
Research shows stuttering is neurological in nature with a strong genetic component.
Genetics
About 60% of people who stutter have a family member who also stutters
Brain Differences
Differences in how the brain processes speech and language
Developmental
Often appears between ages 2-6 when language skills develop rapidly
Not Caused by Anxiety
While stress can worsen stuttering, it doesn't cause it
Stuttering by the Numbers
Myths vs. Facts
People who stutter are nervous or anxious
Stuttering is neurological, not psychological. While anxiety can make stuttering worse, it doesn't cause it.
Stuttering can be cured by slowing down or relaxing
Telling someone to 'slow down' rarely helps and can increase pressure. Stuttering requires speech therapy, not simple tips.
People who stutter are less intelligent
Stuttering has nothing to do with intelligence. Many successful leaders, scientists, and artists stutter.
Stuttering is caused by bad parenting
Parents don't cause stuttering. It's a neurological condition with genetic components.
How to Communicate Supportively
The best thing you can do is listen patiently and treat the person with respect—just like you would anyone else.
Do
- Maintain natural eye contact
- Give them time to finish speaking
- Listen to what they're saying, not how they're saying it
- Speak normally yourself—don't slow down unnaturally
- Treat them as you would anyone else
Don't
- Don't finish their sentences or fill in words
- Don't say 'slow down,' 'relax,' or 'take a breath'
- Don't look away or appear impatient
- Don't ask them to start over
- Don't avoid calling on them or exclude them
Famous People Who Stutter
President Joe Biden, Ed Sheeran, Emily Blunt, James Earl Jones, Marilyn Monroe, and many other successful leaders, performers, and professionals stutter or stuttered. Stuttering doesn't define what someone can achieve—it's just one aspect of how they communicate.
Sources & References
The information on this page is based on peer-reviewed research and clinical guidelines from leading speech-language and stuttering organizations.
Experience Stuttering Firsthand
Try our interactive simulation to understand what speaking with a stutter feels like. Build empathy and learn to be a more patient listener.
Try the Stuttering Simulation