Pediatric Speech Therapy for Stuttering and Cluttering in Chicago, IL
Does your child often repeat words or syllables while speaking? Or do they speak at such a quick pace that you sometimes struggle to follow? If you find yourself nodding “yes” to either of these, you may be noticing signs of stuttering or cluttering.
At SensAble Kids, our experienced and compassionate pediatric speech therapists can help your child with strategies to become more effective communicators. Here, your child will learn to use their unique voice and thrive.
What Are Stuttering and Cluttering?
However, it is important to remember that these conditions are unrelated to a child’s intelligence. Having a fluency disorder merely means a child knows what to say, but needs strategies and practice to improve how they deliver ideas and questions through speech. To understand the difference between stuttering and cluttering, here are characteristics of both:
Characteristics of Stuttering
Stuttering, also called stammering, is a speech condition that affects flow and rhythm while speaking, known as fluency. These are several common stuttering characteristics:
- Repeats sounds, syllables, or words
- Struggles to start sounds, words, or sentences
- Pauses briefly before saying certain words or syllables
- Uses filler words like “um” and “uh” before transitioning to a challenging word
- Experiences tension or movement in the face or upper body when articulating sounds or words
Characteristics of Cluttering
Cluttering is a speech condition that impacts the rate and rhythm of speech, resulting in a quick talking speed that may be disorganized or challenging to follow. Here are common cluttering characteristics:
- Speaks at a fast pace
- Merges words or drops syllables
- Pauses in unexpected places while talking
- Uses filler words like “um” and “uh”
- Communicates in disorderly spurts
- Quickly jumps from topic to topic
- Revises sentences while mid-thought
- Talks over or interrupts other people
What Causes Stuttering and Cluttering?
At this point, you may be wondering what initiates stuttering or cluttering. To help demystify why these conditions occur, let’s take a look at several potential causes.
Common Causes of Stuttering
Here are several common causes of stuttering:
- Family history of stuttering
- Stress, nervousness, or emotional trauma
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Stroke or traumatic brain injury
Conditions Sometimes Seen with Cluttering
Although the exact cause of cluttering is still unknown, this fluency disorder often appears alongside these conditions:
- Stuttering
- Family history of cluttering and/or stuttering
- Auditory processing disorder
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Tourette syndrome
How Pediatric Speech Therapy Can Improve Stuttering or Cluttering
At SensAble Kids, we strive to empower and guide each child as they discover and strengthen their speech — so they feel confident anytime they engage with their world. In our Chicago clinic, our experienced team of pediatric speech therapists specialize in supporting children who need effective strategies to better navigate everyday speech.
By focusing on breathing, articulation, speech pacing, and mindfulness techniques during individualized sessions, children learn to use their unique voices in ways that help them unlock their fullest potential.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s speech, call SensAble Kids today to book a free consultation or contact us online.
Book Your Child’s Evaluation Today
If your child is struggling with communication or feeding, don’t wait to get support. Fill out our online contact form today to schedule a comprehensive speech therapy evaluation. We’re here to help your child find their voice and thrive.