Stammering FAQs

Stammering is a difference in how speech flows. People who stammer might repeat, stretch or prolong sounds or words, or have silent blocks. Everyone does these things occasionally. But for people who stammer, they happen more often, sometimes nearly every time they speak.

Stammering is often accompanied by tension in the face and/or body as the person is trying to get sounds out, and sometimes loss of eye contact. Read more on our page What Is Stammering?

We don’t know exactly why stammering starts. But studies suggest there's a neurological link, with a slight difference in the way the brain is wired in people who stammer. There's also a genetic link — around 60% of people who stammer have, or did have, a family member who stammers. 

Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

No, stammering is not something you can cure. But don't let that worry you. Lots of people don't see stammering as 'bad'. And stammering doesn't always stay the same. Some people might stammer less as they get older, whilst others don't. 

If you are concerned, you can get help to make speaking easier or manage periods of stammering. Read more on our page Is There A Cure For Stammering?

Possibly, but we can't say for sure. Most children who start stammering between 2 and 5 go on to speak fluently. Others continue to stammer into adulthood. We don't yet know which ones are more likely to do so. 

But this doesn't have to be something that should worry you. People who stammer can lead very happy and successful lives. Read more on our page If Your Child Is Stammering.

Most stammering starts in young children, but yes, it can start in adults too. Mainly as a result of: medication side effects; a head injury or medical diagnosis; or significant trauma. In some cases, the reason might not be clear. Read more on our page Help If You Have Just Started Stammering. 

No, this is a common misconception. People who stammer might feel nervous about speaking in front of others because of the stigma surrounding it. But they don't stammer because they're nervous. 

Research findings are showing that there's a neurological and genetic link. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

Most stammering starts in early childhood, between the ages of 2 and 5. However, in some children it can start later. It can sometimes start in adults too. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

At least 1% of all adults stammer. That means at least 560,000 adults in the UK. Around 8% of children experience stammering. Read more on our page What Is Stammering?

In early childhood, around the same number of boys and girls start to stammer. However, girls are more likely to stop stammering. Around 75% of adults who stammer are male. Research continues to explore why this is. Read more on our page What Is Stammering?

No, stammering and stuttering are two different words meaning the same thing. Stammering is the term favoured by countries including the UK, Ireland and India. Other countries including the USA, Canada and Australia prefer to call it stuttering. However, in the world of research, 'stuttering' is the universal term. Read more on our page What Is Stammering?

Yes, for a number of reasons. Stammering is variable — someone might stammer more on some days and less on others. Or in certain situations. It can fluctuate depending on the stage in their life too. Also, no one stammers in the same way. Someone might naturally stammer more, and others only occasionally or on specific sounds or words.

Lots of people use methods or techniques to minimise their stammer, either because of the stigma surrounding it, or for personal preference. They might substitute words for ones that are easier to say, so it's not always obvious. Read our page If You Don't Stammer Read This for more details.

This is when somebody goes to great lengths to not stammer in front of others, usually because of the stigma they face. They'll often put a huge amount of effort into scanning ahead, switching and avoiding words, even avoiding certain speaking situations altogether.

As a result, they often live with significant anxiety about being 'found out' and treated differently, which can have a huge impact on their mental wellbeing. Read more on our page What Is Covert Stammering?

Some therapists have explained this using a 'speech bucket' metaphor. The bucket represents a person's capacity to speak fluently. When lots of water — or lots of demands are made their speech — are poured into it, it can exceed their capacity to speak fluently, so it overflows. The overflow represents the stammering. Read more on our page Why Does Stammering Fluctuate?

Stammering changes day to day, month to month and even year to year. Some people find that as they get older, they stammer less, while others don't. Read more on our page What Is Stammering? 

Help is available if you'd like to find ways to make speaking easier, or to feel more comfortable with stammering. Read our Get Help section to see the range of options.

Also, go to Your Voice, where we've got tons of articles from people about their experiences and journeys with stammering.

Yes, many people find that they experience more stammering if they haven't had much sleep or if they are exhausted. Read more on our page Why Does Stammering Fluctuate?

The latest research shows that singing uses a different part of the brain to speech. Everyday speaking uses neural pathways in the left hemisphere of the brain, whereas singing uses pathways in the right hemisphere.

Another reason could be that singing involves a rhythm. Some people find that they speak more fluently when speaking in time to a beat.

No, research is showing that stammering has a neurological and genetic basis. However, the challenges people who stammer face can have a significant impact on their mental health. Read more on our page If You Don't Stammer Read This.

There isn't a definitive reason why your child may have started stammering. It could be because something in their brain is wired a little differently. Or there could be a genetic link — 60% of people who stammer have, or did have, a family member who stammers. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

Firstly, try not to panic, as we don't want to make a child feel bad about the way they speak. Give them time and space to finish, and focus on what your child is saying rather than how they say it. Try and avoid interrupting, finishing their sentences and telling them to slow down or relax.

Read our page If Your Child Is Stammering for more tips, as well as to find out how to get help if you're worried. Want to talk? Call our free helpline on 0808 802 0002 or start a webchat.

Stammering mostly starts in young children between the ages of 2 and 5. This is when they're going through rapid changes in their speech and language skills. We call this 'developmental stammering'. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

No, nothing you have done as a parent or guardian has caused your child to stammer. It may have started because something in their brain is wired a little differently. Or there could be a genetic link — 60% of people who stammer have, or did have, a family member who stammers. 

If your child's stammer started around the same time you told them off, moved home or went through divorce, etc, it is coincidental. Don't blame yourself. Read more on our page If Your Child Is Stammering.

For most children stammering is temporary, but some will continue stammering into adulthood. At the moment we can't tell which children will continue and who will stop. Generally, the longer someone has been stammering, the more likely it is to continue. But there are no certainties. Again, this doesn't have to be something that should worry you, as people who stammer can lead very happy and successful lives. Read more on our page If Your Child Is Stammering.

Stammering can run in families, but not in every case. 60% of people who stammer have, or did have, a family member who stammers. Don't let that stop you from having children, or from worrying about it. It can be argued that a parent who stammers too is in the best position to support their child. If you're worried, why not talk to us? Start a webchat or call our free helpline on 0808 802 0002.

No, learning or speaking two or more languages does not cause stammering, so it's fine to continue using multiple languages at home. Read more on our page Stammering & Bilingual Children.

Awareness around differences and disabilities is generally much better than it used to be. A lot of schools now are more mindful about supporting children with special educational needs. Plus, our information for teachers is the third most popular page on our website. This is a good sign that those in the teaching profession are seeking help to support children who stammer in the classroom.

You could contact your school to tell them if your child stammers and what things can help. That might make your child less worried about stammering in class. Some children even ask their teachers if they can do a presentation to the class to help raise awareness and explain what things help them.

We can't give a definitive answer for this, as everyone's experience is different. If you are worried about it, why not chat with someone on our helpline or webchat? 

Or, join one of our parent online support groups, where you can talk with other parents. There are also a few Facebook groups you can join to connect with other parents — read our Communities & Groups page.

No, anxiety doesn't cause stammering. But people who stammer might feel anxious about speaking situations because of the stigma surrounding it. Their stammer might be more noticeable as a result. But they don't stammer because they're anxious. Research findings are showing that there's a neurological and genetic link. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

Stammering can run in families, but not always. Around 60% of people who stammer have, or did have, a family member who stammers. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

In some cases in adults, it can, yes. Some stammers that start in adulthood can be the result of a head injury, mental health difficulties or prolonged emotional stress. Read more and get Help If You Have Just Started Stammering.

Not necessarily. A lack of confidence doesn't cause stammering. The challenges people who stammer face can make some feel less confident. But that's not true of everyone. 

As with the general population, some people who stammer are more confident than others. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

No, similar to the above. As with the general population, some people who stammer might be shy, whilst others are not. The stigma surrounding stammering may make them more reluctant to speak in certain situations. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

Definitely not. Some of the brightest minds throughout history have stammered, including Charles Darwin, Alan Turing and the author Dame Margaret Drabble. Read our list of Influential People Who Stammer for more, and check out our page What Causes Stammering?

No, the percentage of people who stammer is the same all over the world. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

People in the last century believed this to be the case, but there is no conclusive evidence for it. Read more about why people stammer on our page What Causes Stammering?

No, you cannot catch stammering by being around someone who stammers. There has to be a neurological or a genetic basis for it. Read more on our page What Causes Stammering?

There isn't a definitive answer for this. What one person finds helpful won't necessarily help someone else. There are lots of different options, which you can read about on our pages Adult Stammering Options Explained and Child Stammering Options Explained. Keep in mind that there isn't a 'cure' and each approach needs constant effort.

'Costal breathing' or 'diaphragmatic retraining' is a different way of breathing to help with stammering that is taught by courses like the McGuire Programme, The Starfish Project and Empowering Voices. It is not taught by speech & language therapists but by people who have been on the courses and found them helpful.

Like with all options for stammering, what some people find helpful might not help others. Read more on our page Adult Stammering Options Explained.

Nothing has been approved by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Certain things help some people, but there isn't a universal approach that is helpful for everyone. Read more on our page Stammering & Medication. 

Hypnosis might help some people with their stammer. But like with all approaches, it doesn't help everyone. And keep in mind that there isn't a 'cure' for stammering.

There are lots of apps that can help with stammering. A lot of these use technology called 'Delayed Auditory Feedback' which plays your voice back a fraction of a second after you've spoken. A lot of people find this helps. 

As with all approaches for stammering, some things are helpful for some people but not others. Any effects will only be experienced while using the app. But it might be useful to get through a specific situation. Read more on our page Apps and Fluency Devices, and to see what apps are out there.

No. This can be hugely frustrating and humiliating for someone who stammers. Plus, if you get it wrong, then they'll have to start their sentence again. 

Some people who stammer might appreciate it, but it's best to err on the side of caution and let the person finish their sentences. Read our guide: In Conversation With Someone Who Stammers.

We don't advise it. Whilst it might be said with good intentions, telling someone to slow down, relax or take a breath can make them feel humiliated and belittled. Especially when it's said in front of other people. However, everyone is different, so some people might appreciate it. But it's best not to risk it. Read our guide: In Conversation With Someone Who Stammers.

Basically, a person who stammers just needs a bit longer to say what they want to say. So be patient and let them finish without interruption or time pressure. Don't be tempted to offer advice. Maintain natural eye contact and give encouraging signals, like smiling gently and nodding. We have lots more guidance on our page In Conversation With Someone Who Stammers.

Stammering can be classed as a disability under UK law. The Equality Act 2010 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (for Northern Ireland) protect people who stammer from being discriminated against on the grounds of disability. 

These Acts define disability as something that 'substantially adversely affects your ability to carry out day-to-day activities', which stammering can do. Read more, and what it means for you, on our page Is Stammering A Disability?

Depending on the facts of the case, possibly. Under the Equality Act and the Disability Discrimination Act (Northern Ireland), it is against the law to treat someone less favourably because they stammer. Read more on our page Is Stammering A Disability? 

If you feel you have been discriminated against or treated unfairly, contact our Advocacy Service and we'll see if we can help.

Some people feel strongly that stammering is a disability. They find their stammer is profoundly disabling. For others, however much they stammer, it may not be a disabling issue for them. Or they may not wish to be defined as having a disability. Read more on our page Is Stammering A Disability?

In certain circumstances people who stammer might be entitled to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). It depends on the circumstances and is points based. It involves having a face-to-face assessment with a health professional to see what level of assistance people need. Read more on our page Is Stammering A Disability?

The 'social model' is a different way of looking at disability. Created by academic Mike Oliver in 1983, it argues that disabilities shouldn't be seen as a medical 'problem' that disabled people should 'fix'. Instead, he argued that people are not disabled by their conditions, but rather by an intolerant society and the barriers it puts up.

Advocates of the social model feel that it is up to society to accommodate differences and remove barriers that stop people from going about their lives. Read more, including STAMMA's stance, on our page What Is Stammering Pride?

Yes, loads of notable people throughout history have been people who stammer. That includes Sir Isaac Newton, Marilyn Monroe, Lewis Carroll and Samuel L. Jackson. Read about them and lots more on our page of Influential People who Stammer.

It's hard to answer that. In many ways, yes. Understanding of differences and awareness in society continues to grow, and there is legal protection against discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 and the Disabilities Discrimination Act 1995 (Northern Ireland). However, many people who stammer still experience stigma and unfair treatment in their everyday lives.