Stuttering is a form of communication disorder that is characterized by repetitive sounds or prolonged pauses between words and syllables when speaking. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDOC) estimates that as many as three million Americans, of all ages, stutter. Stuttering can be treated by a speech therapist or a speech pathologist, a professional who can help people produce fluent speech.
Step 1
Get a firm diagnosis of stuttering before beginning treatment. Stuttering is considered a condition that will respond to treatment if a person has stuttered for between 6 and 12 consecutive months, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Step 2
Choose a speech therapist who uses positive reinforcement as part of her treatment for stuttering. Stuttering can worsen if the person who stutters becomes nervous or is the focus of negative behavior from peers, such as teasing.
Step 3
Set aside ample time for communication, both in therapy sessions and at home with family. A person who stutters often needs extra time to express his thoughts and should not feel pressed to hurry when speaking. Providing a relaxed and loving environment is an important part of the treatment for stuttering.
Step 4
Use an electronic device that allows the stutterer to hear her own voice played back, to help treat stuttering. According to the NIDOC, gadgets such as these are worn like a hearing aid and can help some people produce a fluency of speech that they may not be able to achieve on their own.
Step 5
Consider taking medications to treat a stutter, As of September 2009, there are no medications that are FDA-approved for the treatment of stuttering, but some drugs may be prescribed off-label for this purpose. People who suffer from a severe stutter may benefit from medications normally used to control seizures or depression, according to the NIDOC.
