Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by repetition of sounds, syllables, or words; prolongation of sounds; and interruptions in speech known as blocks. An individual who stutters exactly knows what he or she would like to say but has trouble producing a normal flow of speech.
- Difficulty starting a word, sentence or phrase
- Prolonging a work or sounds within a word
- Repetition of a sound, syllable or work
- Brief silence for certain syllables or pauses within a word
- Addition of extra words such as “um” if difficulty moving to the next word is anticipated
- Excess tension, tightness or movement of the face or upper body to produce a word
- Anxiety about talking
- Limited ability to effectively communicate
The speech difficulties of stuttering may be accompanied by:
- Rapid eye blinks
- Tremors of the lips or jaw
- Facial tics
- Head jerks
- Clinching fists
There are two main types of stuttering:
- Developmental: Occurs in young children while they are still learning speech and language skills. It is the most common form of stuttering. Some scientists and clinicians believe that developmental stuttering occurs when children’s speech and language abilities are unable to meet the child’s verbal demands.
- Neurogenic: May occur after a stroke, head trauma, or other type of brain injury. The brain has difficulty coordinating the different brain regions involved in speaking, resulting in problems in production of clear, fluent speech.
Stuttering can make it difficult to communicate with other people, which often affects a person’s quality of life and interpersonal relationships.
Clinical Information Related to Stuttering and Medical Marijuana
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