Stuttering is an example of a dysfluency in speech (Hegde, 2008). Fluency is a speech pattern which flows rhythmically and smoothly whereas dysfluencies are known as disruptions or breaks in the smooth and regular flow of speech (Shipley & McAfee, 1998). While dysfluencies can be experienced even by individuals who are normally fluent, there are several communicative disorders that affect speech fluency. Stuttering is regarded as one of the most extensively studied yet poorly understood communicative disorders and Guitar (2006), as well as Shipley and McAfee (1998), comment that authorities do not agree on a universal definition of stuttering or on an explanation of its etiology.
Various theories have been proposed to explain stuttering. Shipley and McAfee (1998) differentiate between the organic and environmental theories that have been offered, noting that there are approximately 11 different etiological theories addressing this fluency dysfunction. Hegde (2008) discusses genetic factors, including a family incidence of stuttering, neurophysiologic factors suggested by subtle abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain and/or atypical cerebral language processing in some individuals, and environmental contingencies. Hegde (2008) also claims that there is a lack of a single convincing etiological factor and studies do clearly indicate the intersecting influence of genetic, neurophysiologic, and environmental factors on both the prevalence of stuttering and its frequency in individual clients.
Guitar (2006) states that stuttering is most likely to be first observed between the ages of two and five and for most individuals, stuttering has been established by the age of seven although it occasionally emerges around the ages of 11 or 12. Stuttering is an all too common problem impacting upon 2.4 percent of kindergarten children and about one percent internationally among all ages. Guitar (2006) also says tha...