Stuttering Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Repetition of sounds, syllables, words, or phrases
Prolongation of sounds within words
Between-word pauses and lack of sound
"Spurting" speech
Accompanying behaviors, such as:
- Blinking
- Facial ticks
- Lip tremors
- Tense muscles of the mouth, jaw, or neck
Worsening symptoms when speaking in public
Improvement in symptoms when speaking in private

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will also do a physical exam. Diagnosis may be based on:

Stuttering history
Circumstances under which stuttering occurs
Speech and language capabilities
Evaluation of hearing and motor skills, including a pediatric and neurological examination
Further testing and treatment by a speech language pathologist (someone who specializes in communication disorders)

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.