Stuttering

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. View sample

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Stuttering — also called stammering — is a speech disorder that involves repeating or prolonging a word, syllable or phrase, or stopping during speech and making no sound for certain syllables.

Stress, fatigue and excitement can make stuttering worse. Situations in which you're self-conscious about speaking also can be difficult, such as giving a presentation or talking on the telephone. Stuttering usually decreases when you're relaxed.

Stuttering is common among young children when they're learning to speak. Most children outgrow stuttering on their own. For children whose stuttering is persistent, speech therapy can often help decrease stuttering. As a parent, you can help by not drawing attention to your child's stuttering and by providing a relaxed, calm atmosphere at home in which your child feels comfortable speaking freely.

Symptoms

DS01027

Sept. 12, 2007

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger