Is Stuttering a Communication Disorder? Types, Definitions, & How Stuttering is Understood
December 23, 2020
American Institute for Stuttering
Defining stuttering is hard, and the answer you get probably depends on who you ask. Some people describe stuttering as a disorder. Others call it a disability. Many people also see it as a natural difference in the way someone talks.
If you are a person who stutters or a parent of a child who stutters, you might be wondering:
This guide walks you through the different ways stuttering can be understood and why each definition exists.
First, let's look at what stuttering is. There are three major different forms of stuttering: developmental stuttering/persistent stuttering, neurogenic atuttering (acquired stuttering), and psychogenic stuttering.
Developmental stuttering (also known as childhood stuttering, childhood onset fluency disorder, or persistent stuttering) is the most common type of stuttering.
It usually appears between ages 2 and 6, when children are quickly learning lots of language.
Why does it happen?
Developmental stuttering happens because the brain processes speech a little differently. This affects how the muscles used for speaking coordinate, which can interrupt the normal flow of fluent speech, reducing speech fluency.
There is also a genetic component (genes passed down can affect stuttering), meaning that family history can play a role.
Approximately 5 to 10% of all children stutter for some period in their lives, which may last from a few weeks to several years. Most children recover spontaneously (whether with therapy by a speech and language pathologist or without) and may not need to see a healthcare provider.
Research shows that approximately 75-80% of kids who stutter stop stuttering in childhood. However, stuttering can also persist as a lifelong speech condition.
If your child has been stuttering for longer than 6 months, it's a good time to check in with a speech language pathologist to see what kind of support could help.
Developmental stuttering is characterized by three types: repetitions (repeating sounds; "b-b-ball"), prolongations (sounds made longer; "ssssnow"), and blocks (words gets stuck and no speech sounds come out; "—apple").
Getting developmental stuttering treated early by a speech and language pathologist will create a supportive communication environment for your child's speech that reduces struggle and can improve speech fluency.
The early years are critical—not just for speech development, but for protecting your child's confidence and joy in communication.
AIS specializes in early intervention for preschoolers, working with both children and parents to create an environment where your child can speak freely without fear or frustration. Whether stuttering resolves naturally or persists, early support ensures your child develops positive feelings about communication that last a lifetime.
Discover AIS's early intervention approach for preschoolers.
Neurogenic stuttering (also know as acquired stuttering) occurs after a neurological event, such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other medical event which requires emergency care. Unlike developmental stuttering, the onset is sudden and can occur at any age.
With this form of stuttering, disfluencies typically occur more consistently across a person's speech, with stuttering symptoms more even and less variable.
The onset of psychogenic stuttering is related to significant psychological or emotional trauma, and similar to acquired stuttering, the onset is sudden.
This is a rare form of stuttering that is connected to a person's mental health and their experiences with the trauma that resulted in the stuttering. Stuttering symptoms can be different from developmental stuttering, as disfluencies can occur across various words and positions.
In the field of speech language pathology, communication disorders are defined using medical and clinical classification systems like ICD-10 codes (codes used by speech language pathologists to define areas covered). These help to differentiate between different disorders.
For example, children with language problems or language disorders require a different kind of therapy than children who stutter, so they each have separate codes to identify them.
Regardless of the diagnosis, most children benefit greatly from speech therapy and are able to strengthen their language abilities through early treatment. A speech language pathologist will assess your child's case history when evaluating stuttering to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA, the national organization for speech-language pathologists) defines stuttering as a disorder in fluency, involving interruptions in speech fluency such that it negatively impacts their communication and their desire to speak.
Because it is labeled as a speech "disorder," stuttering diagnosed in healthcare and educational settings can be treated with appropriate clinical frameworks by speech-language pathologists. This classification also relates to insurance reimbursements, as insurance companies require a diagnosis as well as a billing code.
Even though these are "medical" labels, they do not mean something is wrong with you/your child. They simply help professionals provide the right kind of support. For many people who stutter, having a formal diagnosis can actually be empowering, and can serve as a tool for self-advocacy.
This means that it provides a way for them to request the support they need, such as requesting therapy or accommodations in their classroom/workplace.
Many students who stutter benefit from changes that make communication easier. Below are some examples that our clients have described as helpful:
Every student's needs are unique, and effective accommodations depend on individual circumstances and educational settings.
For comprehensive guidance on requesting and implementing classroom accommodations, including specific language for IEPs and 504 plans, communication strategies with educators, and age-appropriate approaches—explore our detailed resource guide.
Learn more about classroom accommodations for stuttering.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), stuttering is legally recognized as a disability when it significantly affects communication. This legal definition protects individuals who stutter from discrimination in the workforce and other public services.
At the same time, stuttering as a disability in the legal sense is not a statement about a person’s capabilities or potential. The ADA classification exists to safeguard rights, not to define a person’s identity.
Many people who stutter prefer to view stuttering as a communication difference. This perspective recognizes that stuttering itself is a natural variation in the way people speak, and that it is not a flaw or a mistake.
Classifying stuttering as a difference acknowledges that people communicate in many different ways, and stuttering is just one of those ways.
Framing stuttering as a communication difference validates that people who stutter can communicate confidently and successfully.
Everyone is disfluent sometimes. People who don't stutter may use fillers ("um," "uh"), pause to think, or change what they want to say mid-sentence. These are typical disfluencies that are different from stuttering because:
This distinction matters because many people think stuttering is caused by nervousness. It's not.
People who stutter know exactly what they want to say - it just takes the words a little longer to come out. While emotions can make stuttering more difficult at times, they do not cause stuttering.
Misunderstandings like these can be hurtful, especially for children and adults who are confident and capable but simply speak differently.
Stuttering can affect more than just speech. If left untreated, it may lead to:
This is why early support from a speech language pathologist is so important. A holistic approach that addresses speech behaviors, emotions, and confidence helps children and adults communicate and participate more comfortably and authentically.
When children first start stuttering, they are not bothered by it. But reactions from others—such as teasing or pressure to “slow down” or “think first”—can affect how they feel about their stuttering.
Many children who stutter also become targets of teasing or bullying, which leads to increased negative emotions that can affect mental health.
Left untreated, stuttering may even lead to long-term mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. However, working with a specialized therapist can help! Stuttering therapy helps to reduce these challenges and build resiliency, confidence, and self-advocacy skills.
At AIS, our therapists tailor therapy by age, accounting for individual stuttering behaviors and identifying the most appropriate treatment plan:
AIS's developmental approach means therapy evolves alongside each person's changing needs—from early childhood through adulthood.
Our specialized, age-appropriate strategies ensure that whether you're supporting a young child or seeking help for yourself, you'll receive evidence-based care that addresses both the mechanics of speech and the emotional journey of living with stuttering.
Discover how AIS can support your specific stage of life.
The bottom line is that there's not one "right" way to define or label stuttering, and that's okay. Stuttering is a complex experience with multiple factors at play; different definitions highlight different parts of the experience.
You might identify more with one definition than another, while another person might align more with a different definition. What matters most is choosing the definition, or combination of definitions, that feels right for you or your child.
Whether you're seeking answers about your child's speech development, looking for support as an adult who stutters, or simply want to learn more about what therapy could look like for you—AIS is here to help.
Our team of specialized speech-language pathologists understands that every stuttering journey is unique, and we're committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your individual needs and goals.
Connect with AIS today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can support you or your loved one in communicating with greater confidence and ease.
--
Worried about the cost of therapy? Our Freeing Voices, Changing Lives Scholarship Fund offers need-based financial assistance, thanks to generous donors. Many applicants who thought they wouldn’t qualify are pleasantly surprised to receive support.
