Is Stuttering a Disability?

Stuttering impedes your speech. Haven’t we all come across situations where we get stuck or add fillers like “umm,” “like,” or “you know”? We may even repeat sounds or words. When this happens frequently, it may be classified as stuttering. It is a complex communication disorder that disrupts the normal flow and pattern of speech, characterized by involuntary pauses, repetitions, prolongations, or blocks. Nervousness and anxiety can often worsen the severity of stuttering.

Stutter Experience

People who stutter experience many challenges beyond speech — including fear, anxiety, depression, and shame — which can negatively affect their quality of life (QOL). While some consider stuttering a disability, others view it simply as a speech difference. So, what is it really? A speech disorder, a difference, or a disability?

What Causes Stuttering?

Stuttering can be hereditary, neurological, genetic, or even psychological. Whether or not your stutter is considered a disability depends on how much it affects your daily life and how long you've had it. Some people stutter occasionally or in certain situations, and some may outgrow it — while for others, it persists into adulthood.

Let’s look beyond “The stuttering “

Stuttering is at the top of the “iceberg” but underneath the “iceberg” lays deeper problems that should also be addressed. Stuttering also may include tension and negative feelings about talking. It may get in the way of how you talk to others. You may want to hide your stuttering. So, you may avoid certain words or situations.

For example, you may hesitate to answer phone calls or avoid social settings that make your stuttering worse. It can fluctuate — stress or excitement may increase disfluency. These effects can impact your social communication skills, but it doesn’t have to define you. If you seek professional speech therapy for stuttering, you can learn effective strategies to manage and reduce its impact.

Cluttering speech

Some individuals may also exhibit cluttering — a fluency disorder often confused with stuttering, involving rapid or irregular speech. Both require expert guidance from a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP).

Persons with Stuttering (PWS) and their feelings?

• People with stuttering often feel they are being judged on the way they speak.

• They always have that inner feeling of not being able to express themselves fluently like persons without stuttering.

• They would feel frustrated when they are not able to express themselves properly.

• Some have strong reactions to stammering being labeled as a disability. Regardless of how ‘severe’ their stammer is, this may not be a disabling issue for them, or they may not wish to be defined as having a disability.

• For others, their stammering is profoundly disabling.

Tips to speak fluently

Is it a Disability?

According to the World Health Organization, disability has three dimensions:

1. Impairment in a person’s body structure or function, or mental functioning; examples of impairments include loss of a limb, loss of vision, or memory loss.

2. Activity limitation, such as difficulty seeing, hearing, walking, or problem-solving.

3. Participation restrictions in normal daily activities, such as working, engaging in social and recreational activities, and obtaining health care and preventive services.

Stuttering does not call for a speech disability and also it is not a medical condition that makes someone disabled, but the attitudes and structures of society leave people with disabilities excluded or restricted in living their lives fully and excludes them from participating fully in society.  We don’t expect people to hide their differences, yet many people who stammer feel deeply ashamed of their stammering.

Stuttering impedes your speech, not your thoughts

Stuttering may be impeding your speech but it never hinders your thoughts and intelligence. You can speak up your thoughts, you are no different than anyone without stuttering. But yes, you will be different if you have the drive to overcome stuttering. Various Bollywood and Hollywood stars like Hrithik Roshan, Rowan Atkinson, and most of all  Joe Biden, who has been now elected as the 46th President of The United States of America.

Look at them, if they had allowed stuttering to define themselves, would they be in the position they are right now? They decided to believe in themselves and move on with their goals in life. A person who stutters should not be treated differently, instead, we must learn to accept, support, and make reasonable adjustments for them. Their journey shows that speech disorders like stuttering do not limit your potential.

An Individual’s Speech Obstruction Should Not Define Them

An individual’s speech obstruction should not define their personality but simply act like a characteristic difference that makes them unique.  Try to relax, speak slowly, build your confidence, and don’t avoid situations because of your stammer.  Self-esteem and confidence is the key to motivation and progress. A stammer is no different.

SLP’s Role in Treating Stuttering

Expecting someone to mask their difference is no longer acceptable in today’s society. So don’t accept pressure to talk smoothly. But seeking professional help can definitely bring out the best in you. A good speech therapist can do wonders!

• An SLP will help you feel less tense and speak in a better way which is less distracting and in school, at work, and in different social settings. 

• They can also help the person face speaking situations that make them fearful or anxious say speaking on the phone, giving a  presentation, or even ordering food at a restaurant.

• They can  talk about how stuttering affects their everyday life

• Can help in eliminating the coexisting features which may not be noticeable to an untrained listener.

Early intervention and evidence-based fluency therapy lead to real, lasting change.

Book an appointment

For more ideas check out our other related blogs