causes of stuttering

Scientific research has shown that there a variety of causes of stuttering, but the complaint is still not completely understood. A lot of recent evidence has pointed to neutrogenic disorders as one of the chief causes of the condition. These arise from signal problems in the part of the brain which controls the timing of speech muscle activation, although the reasons for this remain unclear. It is recognised that, like many other conditions, the causes of stuttering can be hereditary. Studies have concluded that it does have the potential to be passed down genetically; indeed approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who also has a speech impediment, or at least did at some time.

The most common form of stuttering is thought to be developmental. This crops up in children who are in the process of developing speech and language. The causes of this relaxed type of stuttering is felt to arise when a child's speech and language abilities are unable to meet his or her verbal demands. The causes of stuttering happen when the young child tries searching for the correct word; however, developmental stuttering is usually outgrown. Other forms of stuttering are classified as psychogenic, or originating in the mind; or mental activity of the brain such as thought and reasoning. This type of stuttering is now known to account for only a minority of the individuals who stutter. The causes of stuttering like this can occur in those people who have some types of mental illness, or who have experienced severe mental stress or anguish.