What is stuttering?
Stuttering is a common difference in speech fluency that affects approximately 1-5% of the population.
Stuttering may involve repetitions of sounds (e.g., "b-b-ball"), syllables (e.g., "try-try-try-trying"), words (e.g., "bus-bus-bus-bus"), or phrases (e.g., "I want-I want-I want-to catch the bus").
It may also involve prolongations, where sounds are stretched out (e.g., "ssssun"), or moments where it feels as though the words become "stuck" and do not come out easily. This is known as a block (e.g., "____apple").
While stuttering is often described in terms of these observable speech behaviours, stuttering is much more than what listeners hear. It may involve thoughts and feelings about communication that listeners cannot hear or see. This is often described using the iceberg analogy, where the overt stutter is only the visible tip of a much larger experience. The iceberg image featured on Eleanor's website reflects this understanding.
Different Types of Stuttering
There are several types of stuttering, including:
Childhood-onset fluency disorder (developmental stuttering) – the most common form of stuttering, typically beginning in early childhood.
Neurogenic stuttering – stuttering that occurs following changes to the nervous system, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other neurological conditions.
Drug-induced stuttering – stuttering that emerges following the use of certain medications.
Functional neurological stuttering – stuttering associated with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) refers to a neurological condition caused by changes in how brain networks function, rather than structural changes in the brain itself. The symptoms experienced in FND are genuine and can significantly affect a person's life, despite not being explained by changes visible on brain scans.
What Causes Stuttering?
Firstly, it is important to state that anxiety does not cause stuttering, although stress and anxiety may temporarily increase stuttering severity. Similarly, parenting behaviours do not cause stuttering.
The exact causes of childhood-onset stuttering are not fully understood. Current research suggests that stuttering is likely related to interactions between genetics, differences in speech and language networks within the brain, language development, emotions, and the communication environment.
One theory proposes that stuttering may occur when the demands placed on a person's speech system temporarily exceed their capacity to produce fluent speech.
Importantly, stuttering is not caused by anxiety, poor parenting, or a lack of intelligence.
When Should My Child Start Therapy?
Research suggests that early intervention is important. While previous advice sometimes recommended waiting several months after stuttering onset before seeking support, current recommendations generally favour assessment and intervention as early as possible.
For preschool-aged children (typically between 3 and 6 years of age), therapy often involves working with parents and modifying aspects of the communication environment. Examples include approaches such as the Lidcombe Program and Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.
For school-aged children, adolescents, and adults, therapy is typically more direct and may involve explicit teaching of speech strategies, self-advocacy, and addressing any negative thoughts or feelings about communication that may have developed.
You can read more about evidence-based treatment approaches on the Australian Stuttering Research Centre website.
The Hidden Impact of Stuttering
Many people who stutter experience hidden impacts, including anticipating stuttering, worrying about speaking situations, avoiding particular words or situations, or feeling frustrated when communication is difficult.
For some people, stuttering has little impact on everyday life. For others, it can significantly affect participation, confidence, education, work, relationships, and overall quality of life.
No two people who stutter are the same.
Stuttering Therapy at Your Voice Matters
At Your Voice Matters, therapy is neuro-affirming, collaborative, and tailored to the individual. Therapy may focus on reducing the impact of stuttering, increasing communication confidence, developing self-advocacy skills, supporting participation in meaningful activities, or exploring speech strategies if this aligns with the client's goals.
We believe that everyone deserves to communicate in ways that feel authentic, effective, and meaningful to them—whether that involves embracing and accepting stuttering, using speech tools, or a combination of both.
Eleanor has extensive training and experience in a range of evidence-based stuttering therapies, including:
The Lidcombe Program
The Westmead Program
Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
The Camperdown Program
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Eleanor is also an advocate for acceptance-based approaches to stuttering and supports individuals who identify with the stutter pride movement.
In addition, Eleanor participated in a University of South Australia research project exploring the benefits of improvisation (improv) therapy for people who stutter.
Watch the channel 7 news coverage and interview here:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=868832452187852
Eleanor has also made a series of self-advocacy communication videos, which you explore on instagram: