Sudden Onset Stuttering: The Possible Causes

Stuttering is a condition that affects over 3 million people in the United States. This is a full 1% of the adult population and 5% of children. While it was widely believed that stuttering is a gradual condition coming to full-blown dysfunction over a period of time, studies as reported by Ehud Yairi of the University of Illinois, indicate that the onset of stuttering is most often very sudden. The sudden onset of stuttering most often occurs in children, which is a frightening prospect for most parents, although some who do not understand what is happening may think that it is the child's fault. Sudden onset stuttering can occur in adult's as well, but cases of this are extremely limited. Often, the sudden onset in children can be indicative of a life-long problem that requires therapy and treatment to overcome.

Stuttering itself is a condition marked by irregular speech in several forms. The most common type of stuttering is an unstoppable repetition of words and syllables. Another type of stuttering is an prolongation of continuant sounds such as mmmmmmm, aaaaaaa, oooooo, and the like. Another behavior of stuttering is known as blocks which are the sudden stopping of air and sound while in the middle of speech, often accompanied by non-distinct sounds. Interjected words such as um, uh, ah are also very common as can be physical ticks in the head and face.

By just noticing the numbers of affected, 1% of adults and 5% of children, it shows that stuttering is not always a permanent condition. Many children who suffer a sudden onset of stuttering fall out of the behavior 6-12 months later without any treatment. While over ¾ of the others lose their stuttering through treatment methods and therapy by late adolescence.

The exact cause of stuttering has not yet been identified by the medical community. It is largely thought to be a genetic trait handed down through generations. Studies have shown that many more stutterers have a family history of the condition than do not. It is mistakenly believed that for this reason, stuttering was a gradual process, however it is quite common for genetic diseases to begin suddenly and set in with full symptoms without a prolonged period of worsening. Certain conditions, however, may trigger the onset but they are usually not the cause.

It has mistakenly been thought that stuttering is due to other emotional or psychological disorders. This is a fallacy that has been disproven through medical studies. Stutterers are no more afflicted with other disorders than the general population and there intelligence levels are also quite normal.

One factor which may worsen conditions of stuttering are admonishment and criticism by parents to their children's normal speech disfluency can cause stress and tension which may psychologically make the condition more pronounced. Excitement and anxiety are thought to worsen symptoms although this has never been proven.

Other factors that may cause a sudden onset of stuttering are thought to be sudden hearing impairment and deafness. Changes in hearing are often accompanied by changing speech patterns.

It has been shown that stuttering may be caused by severe physical trauma, especially in adults, but not limited to them. Trauma such as head injuries have been known to be followed by an onset of stuttering.

Illnesses or medical conditions may also be a cause of stuttering such TIA, Stroke, brain infection, and encephalitis. Stuttering may also be a symptom of a larger problem such as Parkinson's Disease, Partington Syndrome, or Pick's Disease.

In any occasion, stuttering should always be taken seriously. In the past it was thought that an overreaction by parents to their children's stuttering worsened the condition but this has since been disproves. If you child begins stuttering, action should be taken as soon as possible. It can begin simply with easy speech therapy and speech training, but it should be brought to the attention of a physician so the proper treatments can be put into place.