Stuttering affects over 70 million people worldwide. Elisabeth Dulcet, specialist in neurologopedics at Hospital CreuBlanca Maresme, explains its causes, how it impacts daily life, and the most effective stuttering treatments to improve speech fluency in children and adults.
Why Talk About Stuttering This Week?
Every October 22nd is World Stuttering Awareness Day, an initiative led by the International Stuttering Association under the slogan “Voices for Inclusion”. The aim is to raise awareness of this condition, foster social understanding, and promote access to effective stuttering treatments.
Even today, in clinics, people often hear phrases like “it’ll pass” or “it’s just nerves.” However, stuttering is not a matter of willpower; it is a neurological and multifactorial speech fluency disorder. If left unaddressed, it can have a significant emotional impact.
The AELFA-IF (Spanish Association of Speech Therapy, Phoniatrics, and Audiology) reminds us that stuttering should not be considered a passing phase. Early detection and consultation with a specialist speech therapist can make a real difference in the quality of life for someone who stutters.
What Is Stuttering and Why Does It Happen?
Stuttering, also known as dysfluency, is characterised by blocks, repetitions, or involuntary prolongations of sounds, syllables, or words. It can be accompanied by facial or body tension and compensatory strategies such as avoiding speech or substituting words out of fear of blocking.
As the AELFA-IF points out, there are almost as many ways to stutter as there are people who stutter. Each case has its own age of onset, pattern of disfluencies, set of situations, and emotional responses, which means treatment must be fully individualised. It’s counterproductive to assume all disfluencies are treated the same way.
Several international studies (ASHA, 2024; Stuttering Foundation, 2023) show that early and continuous intervention improves fluency and quality of life. The earlier stuttering is detected, the greater the chances of therapeutic success. Therefore, it is recommended to begin intervention even from two and a half years old if disfluencies persist or risk factors are present, avoiding the “wait and see” approach. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
Who Is Affected?
Up to 5% of children experience a stage of disfluency while learning to speak. In most cases, it resolves naturally, but in 1 in 100 cases, it persists into adulthood.
Stuttering is more common in men and can co-occur with other language or learning disorders. The main risk factors include family or neurological history, severe early blocks, language development difficulties, and heightened emotional reactivity to environmental factors.
Causes and Contributing Factors
There is no single cause of stuttering. Recent research shows that stuttering:
- Has a neurological and genetic basis: often with a family predisposition.
- Is associated with alterations in speech motor coordination and the brain circuits that process language and emotion.
- Can be influenced by environmental and emotional factors, particularly during childhood development.
Understanding, Supporting, and Treating Stuttering
The impact of stuttering goes far beyond speech. People who stutter may experience anxiety, frustration, or social withdrawal, especially when they feel their way of speaking limits their participation at school, work, or in personal relationships.
For this reason, specialised treatment is not just about “speaking without stuttering,” but also about regaining communicative confidence. The AELFA-IF emphasises that stuttering is not caused by nerves and does not “disappear simply over time”. Specialised speech therapy intervention combined with emotional support is key to improving both fluency and overall well-being.
Stuttering Treatment at CreuBlanca Maresme
At Hospital CreuBlanca Maresme, every person who comes with stuttering receives comprehensive and personalised care, as no two cases are the same.
First, we listen to the person and how stuttering affects their daily life. Then we carry out a detailed assessment, observing speech, breathing, and the gestures accompanying disfluencies. Based on this comprehensive assessment, we design a therapeutic plan tailored to each individual’s needs.
Treatment combines fluency techniques, respiratory and motor training, emotional strategies to manage anxiety, and family or school support in the case of children. Each session is adapted to the person’s pace, respecting difficulties while enhancing progress. Beyond statistics, what patients value most is feeling heard and supported.
Recognising stuttering and seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a courageous step towards freer and more confident communication. Each case can improve, and our goal is for every person to regain confidence, participation, and autonomy in their speech.
Do you notice blocks or repetitions when speaking?
Early detection makes all the difference. Book a consultation with Elisabeth Dulcet, specialist in neurologopedics, at Hospital CreuBlanca Maresme.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stuttering
Does stuttering have a cure? There is no definitive “cure,” but there are highly effective treatments that improve fluency and reduce blocks. The goal is to achieve natural and confident communication.
Can it be treated in adults? Yes. Although early intervention is ideal, adults can also make significant improvements with specialised speech therapy.
Does stuttering get worse with nerves? Stress can exacerbate blocks, but it is not the cause. That is why treatment may also include emotional management techniques.
What can I do as a parent? The most important thing is to support without worrying excessively and to seek a preventive consultation with a specialised speech therapist, who will guide you personally on how to help your child. There are no universal formulas, but creating a positive communicative environment, encouraging assertive communication, listening, and giving time to speak, along with following the therapist’s guidance at home, can make a huge difference.