Speech impediments have a number of causes and manifest themselves in a variety of ways. One of the most common and best known is stuttering or stammering. Some people are unable to speak at all and are mute. Some lisp. Nerve or brain damage can affect the speech muscles causing them to be weak or paralyzed. This condition is called dysarthria. Some who display this disorder are those who have had a stroke, those with Parkinson's disease and those who suffer from cerebral palsy. Other conditions which cause similar symptoms are head and neck injuries and surgical mishaps.
There are various names given to speech impediments. If vowels and consonants are rearranged within words, the disorder is called apraxia. There may also be inconsistencies with voice production. A voice disorder is the term given to impediments that come from impairment of the larynx. If specific sounds are difficult for a person they may have an articulation or phonemic disorder. Brain tumors can cause a person's individual and distinctive speech characteristics to be affected as can neurological trauma. This is called dysprosody.
Apart from the causes mentioned, deafness, brain injury, drug abuse, cleft palate issues and mental retardation can all influence vocal communication. Treatment may involve medical interventions, psychotherapy or speech therapy. It is believed that up to 1% of the world's population may have speech impediments of one form or another.
Those who have trouble with their speech can suffer greatly. Children may be teased and bullied. Social interactions are particularly challenging.
Stammering and stuttering is characterized by repetitious utterances of single sounds, words or phrases. Lengthy, involuntary pauses are another symptom of stuttering. The sufferer struggles to express their ideas and to communicate. This can result in anxiety and unease when out in public.
Stammering may be very mild or quite severe. Intelligence has no bearing on the condition. Words and sounds can be pronounced easily and thought patterns are processed without difficulty.
Stuttering has many variations. There are three main factors which are common. Phrases, syllables or words may be repeated a number of times before a person can move on with their speaking. Initial or other sounds may be lengthened or drawn out. Blocks usually come later as a result of nervousness and muscle tension. There is an unnaturally long hesitation as the sufferer struggles to speak.
Stutterers feel great shame, embarrassment and tension. They may isolate themselves from family and friends and may go to any lengths to avoid social gatherings. Stuttering impacts very negatively on their emotional state. Some have trouble functioning in a normal manner.
When put in a stressful situation, it takes very little to cause a sufferer to stutter. With some, the condition may occur only rarely when the person is relaxed and/or with empathetic people. For most, speaking in public is very stressful. Negative emotions such as fear and frustration only add to a person's stress and increases the severity of the stutter.
There does not seem to be a cure at the present time but many people are able to find a treatment which helps them have some control over their stuttering. Some severe stutterers report much fewer problems if they copy another. Whispering, acting or singing can sometimes be achieved without problems. Many are able to speak to pets or small children without stuttering. Techniques for helping those with speech impediments is ongoing.
There are various names given to speech impediments. If vowels and consonants are rearranged within words, the disorder is called apraxia. There may also be inconsistencies with voice production. A voice disorder is the term given to impediments that come from impairment of the larynx. If specific sounds are difficult for a person they may have an articulation or phonemic disorder. Brain tumors can cause a person's individual and distinctive speech characteristics to be affected as can neurological trauma. This is called dysprosody.
Apart from the causes mentioned, deafness, brain injury, drug abuse, cleft palate issues and mental retardation can all influence vocal communication. Treatment may involve medical interventions, psychotherapy or speech therapy. It is believed that up to 1% of the world's population may have speech impediments of one form or another.
Those who have trouble with their speech can suffer greatly. Children may be teased and bullied. Social interactions are particularly challenging.
Stammering and stuttering is characterized by repetitious utterances of single sounds, words or phrases. Lengthy, involuntary pauses are another symptom of stuttering. The sufferer struggles to express their ideas and to communicate. This can result in anxiety and unease when out in public.
Stammering may be very mild or quite severe. Intelligence has no bearing on the condition. Words and sounds can be pronounced easily and thought patterns are processed without difficulty.
Stuttering has many variations. There are three main factors which are common. Phrases, syllables or words may be repeated a number of times before a person can move on with their speaking. Initial or other sounds may be lengthened or drawn out. Blocks usually come later as a result of nervousness and muscle tension. There is an unnaturally long hesitation as the sufferer struggles to speak.
Stutterers feel great shame, embarrassment and tension. They may isolate themselves from family and friends and may go to any lengths to avoid social gatherings. Stuttering impacts very negatively on their emotional state. Some have trouble functioning in a normal manner.
When put in a stressful situation, it takes very little to cause a sufferer to stutter. With some, the condition may occur only rarely when the person is relaxed and/or with empathetic people. For most, speaking in public is very stressful. Negative emotions such as fear and frustration only add to a person's stress and increases the severity of the stutter.
There does not seem to be a cure at the present time but many people are able to find a treatment which helps them have some control over their stuttering. Some severe stutterers report much fewer problems if they copy another. Whispering, acting or singing can sometimes be achieved without problems. Many are able to speak to pets or small children without stuttering. Techniques for helping those with speech impediments is ongoing.
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