What Is Neurogenic Stuttering: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Neurogenic stuttering is a type of speech disorder that begins in adulthood. It can significantly impact a person's speech fluency and make communicating difficult. However, several treatments can help people with neurogenic stuttering improve their speech-motor control and fluency.
This article will explore the symptoms, causes, and treatments for neurogenic stuttering. We will also compare it to psychogenic and developmental stuttering, two other forms of stuttering.
Key Takeaways:
Definition: Neurogenic is a speech disorder that typically begins in adulthood and is caused by damage or changes in the brain.
Comparison: Neurogenic stuttering differs from developmental stuttering, which begins in childhood, and psychogenic stuttering, which is linked to psychological or emotional factors. It also differs from other neurogenic communication disorders, such as aphasia or apraxia of speech, as it specifically involves disruptions in speech fluency.
Causes: Neurogenic stuttering can result from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, brain tumors, or other disruptions to the central nervous system.
Symptoms: Symptoms may include repetitions, prolongations, blocks, interjections, and revisions, often occurring throughout speech rather than primarily at the beginning of words, as in developmental stuttering.
Neurogenic Stuttering: How It Differs from Developmental Stuttering
The Role of Early Intervention
Frequently Asked Questions About Neurogenic Stuttering
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help You With Speech Fluency
Neurogenic Stuttering: How It Differs from Developmental Stuttering
Understanding Neurogenic Stuttering
Neurogenic stuttering is a type of stuttering caused by neurological changes or damage to the brain. Neurogenic stuttering occurs in adults with no prior history of stuttering. This type differs from developmental stuttering, which begins in childhood and is the most common type.
The abrupt onset of neurogenic stuttering often coincides with a neurological event, such as a stroke or head injury. Symptoms may include difficulty initiating speech, repeating words or syllables, or prolonging sounds.
Associated neurological symptoms, such as weakness, coordination issues, or sensory deficits, may help healthcare professionals diagnose this condition more effectively.
Characteristics of Neurogenic Stuttering
Adult-onset stuttering presents as interruptions in the flow of speech, including:
Repetitions: Repeating words, syllables, or sounds.
Prolongations: Holding a sound out longer than usual.
Blocks: Stopping in the middle of a word or sentence without being able to produce the next sound.
Interjections: Adding unnecessary words or sounds to speech, such as "um" or "uh."
Revisions: Changing words or phrases in the middle of a sentence.
Unlike developmental stuttering, these symptoms often occur throughout speech rather than predominantly at the beginning of sentences or phrases. They are also less likely to vary based on the speaking situation, such as speaking to a group or reading aloud.
Causes and Risk Factors of Neurogenic Stuttering
The causes of neurogenic stuttering are rooted in neurological events or conditions, including:
Stroke: Damage to brain areas responsible for speech and language.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Injuries disrupting motor control of speech.
Brain Tumors: Pressure on speech-related brain areas.
Neurological Conditions: Disorders like Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
Neurological Surgery: Surgical complications affecting the brain or nervous system.
Vascular Disorders: Conditions such as aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
Infections and Encephalitis: Brain inflammation causing speech disruptions.
Medication-Induced Stuttering: Side effects from medications affecting the central nervous system.
In some cases, the underlying cause may remain unclear despite thorough evaluations. This highlights the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic process involving speech-language pathologists and neurologists.
Diagnosing Neurogenic Stuttering
Accurate diagnosis involves collaboration between neurologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Key diagnostic steps include:
Medical History Review: Examining past neurological events, conditions, and medications.
Speech and Language Evaluation: This evaluation analyzes speech patterns, the frequency of stuttering, stuttering symptoms, and co-occurring speech difficulties with language comprehension or cognitive skills.
Differential Diagnosis: Distinguishing neurogenic stuttering from other communication disorders, such as aphasia, apraxia, or psychogenic stuttering.
Advanced diagnostic tools, such as imaging studies (e.g., MRI or CT scans), may be used to identify brain abnormalities that contribute to stuttering. This information is critical for creating an individualized treatment plan.
Treatment of Neurogenic Stuttering
Managing neurogenic stuttering requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes:
Speech Therapy: A speech-language pathologist (SLP) uses speech therapy techniques, such as fluency modification, slowed speech, and gentle onsets, to improve speech fluency and speech motor control.
Neurological Interventions: Addressing the underlying neurological condition, including medications or surgical procedures when necessary.
Emotional Support: Counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals manage the psychological impact of stuttering. Addressing the emotional impact is beneficial in the treatment of neurogenic stuttering.
Supportive Environments: Encouraging understanding environments to reduce communication anxiety, build confidence, and reduce stuttering moments.
By practicing these techniques consistently, individuals can develop greater control over their speech and enhance their communication skills.
Fluency Strategies in Speech Therapy
Neurogenic stuttering therapy often incorporates techniques designed to reduce disfluencies and improve confidence. Examples include:
Breath Control: Learning to use diaphragmatic breathing to support speech and reduce tension during communication.
Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF): A tool that alters how a speaker hears their own voice, helping to improve fluency by slowing down speech and reducing repetitions.
Pacing Boards: Visual aids are designed to help individuals control the rate of their speech, promoting smoother and more deliberate communication.
Biofeedback Tools: Technology that provides real-time feedback on muscle tension or speech production, allowing individuals to adjust their speech patterns and reduce disfluencies.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Techniques that emphasize relaxation and focus, helping individuals manage stress or anxiety that can affect speech fluency.
Fluency Shaping Techniques: Methods like light articulatory contact, continuous phonation, and smooth sound transitions help replace disfluent patterns with controlled, fluent speech.
Speech-Generating Apps and Tools: Digital platforms and mobile apps that guide users through targeted speech exercises while tracking their progress over time, providing additional practice between therapy sessions.
By practicing these techniques consistently, individuals can develop greater control over their speech and enhance their communication skills.
Psychogenic Stuttering: A Related Condition
Psychogenic stuttering is another form of acquired stuttering caused by psychological processes. Unlike neurogenic stuttering, which results from brain damage, psychogenic stuttering is attributed to psychological factors such as emotional stress or trauma. It also is sudden onset stuttering but appears without physical or neurological abnormalities.
Acquired stuttering can present unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Identifying and addressing the underlying psychological triggers, such as anxiety, trauma, or emotional stressors, is paramount for effectively diagnosing and treating psychogenic stuttering.
A multidisciplinary approach involving speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals is valuable for providing comprehensive care and supporting individuals to address the emotional and psychological aspects contributing to stuttering. These professionals will assist in the differential diagnosis of psychogenic and neurogenic stuttering.
The Role of Early Intervention
Early intervention is key to improving outcomes for individuals with neurogenic stuttering. Seeking treatment as soon as symptoms appear allows healthcare professionals to address underlying causes and implement effective fluency strategies.
While neurogenic stuttering may not resolve entirely, early therapy can significantly reduce its impact on daily life and communication.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neurogenic Stuttering
1. What is a fluency disorder?
Fluency disorders are conditions that disrupt the natural flow of speech. Stuttering is a fluency disorder characterized by repetitions, prolongations, or blocks interrupting speech production. It is often accompanied by physical tension or secondary behaviors like eye blinking.
Other fluency disorders include cluttering, where speech is rapid and disorganized, and neurogenic or psychogenic stuttering, which stems from neurological or psychological causes.
2. What does neurogenic stuttering sound like?
Neurogenic stuttering, a speech disorder caused by neurological damage or conditions, often involves random speech disruptions, such as repetitions, prolongations, and blocks, with no consistent pattern across specific sounds or words.
3. What does developmental stuttering sound like?
Developmental stuttering, the most common type that usually begins in childhood, typically includes repetitions of sounds, syllables, words, prolongations, and blocks, often occurring at the beginning of words or sentences.
4. What is psychogenic stuttering associated with?
Psychogenic stuttering, a rare type of stuttering linked to psychological factors, is associated with stress, trauma, or mental health conditions and is not caused by neurological damage.
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help You With Speech Fluency
Connected Speech Pathology offers personalized, evidence-based therapy for neurogenic stuttering and other fluency disorders. This specialized field of speech therapy recognizes that stuttering is not merely a disruption in fluency but rather a complex interplay of motor, cognitive, and emotional factors.
Our services also include tailored support for individuals seeking therapy for acquired neurological disorders, ensuring comprehensive care for those facing unique speech challenges.
Our approach aims to help individuals with neurogenic stuttering achieve smoother and more natural speech patterns. Connected Speech Pathology goes beyond traditional techniques by considering speech's natural flow and rhythm and addressing each person's specific challenges.
Through online therapy, we make treatment accessible and convenient. Individuals can work on their speech goals from the comfort of their homes. Our approach also includes emotional support, ensuring clients feel empowered as they improve their communication skills.
Our therapists tailor each session to meet individual needs, providing tools and techniques to address fluency, voice quality, and speech-motor control. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
Summary
In conclusion, neurogenic stuttering is a complex speech disorder that can significantly impact a person’s speech fluency and quality of life. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and differences between neurogenic and psychogenic stuttering is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
By exploring various treatment options, including speech therapy and collaboration with healthcare professionals, individuals with neurogenic stuttering can find the support they need to improve their speech and lead a more fulfilling life.
About the Author
Allison Geller is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the owner of Connected Speech Pathology. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida in Speech-Language Pathology. Allison has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including telepractice, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice. She has worked extensively with individuals across the lifespan including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, brain injury, and swallowing disorders.
Allison served as the clinical coordinator of research in aphasia in the Neurological Institute at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. She is on the Board of Directors for the Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN), a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certified clinician, and a proud Family Empowerment Scholarship/Step-Up For Students provider. Allison is passionate about delivering high quality-effective treatment remotely because it’s convenient and easy to access. What sets us apart from other online speech therapy options is—Allison takes great care to hire the very best SLPs from all over the country.
