Speech disorders can be broken down into three subcategories: impediments resulting from carelessness when learning to talk, disorders relating to mental problems, and impediments due to physical defects, such as cleft palate. Whatever the base cause of the impediment, the same problems will often occur, with the sufferer having difficulty communicating and releasing words. Some have a certain characteristic to the way they talk, while others may sound strange and disjointed, with speech that’s characterized by sudden stops or starts. Common disorders include stuttering, stammering, and lisping.
Stuttering is one of the most common speech disorders, and it is characterized by a repetition of speech. It appears rapidly in some and slowly in others. People who suffer from stuttering may repeat only the first part of the word or may elongate their words.
The person who stutters will be aware that she is doing it, and it can be a source of constant frustration whether it results from either mental or physical causes. Speech therapists often use relaxation techniques, including breathing exercises, that may alleviate the problem. Many children who stutter often grow out of it, although the problem may reappear in times of stress in later life.
Stammering is another common speech disorder in which the sufferer may be unable to express sounds, and he may have difficulty in beginning words or sentences. The problem can be spasmodic, which means that it is related to the facial muscles. Stammering is often combined with stuttering. Sometimes, the sufferer may not be able to express sounds, and at others, he may repeat words or syllables continually.
Another common speech problem is lisping, which usually begins in childhood and can be broken down into negligent, organic, and neurotic types. Negligent lisping occurs when parents do not teach their children to speak properly, either because they do not correct the child’s speech or the child does not have role models to observe when learning to talk. Organic lisping comes about mainly due to a physical defect, such as a cleft palate or other deformities. Neurotic lisping is often a sign of mental disability, and it can be combined with stuttering or stammering.
Many speech disorders disappear over time. Speech therapists can be of great help to children and adults who suffer from speech problems, and they are often able to help the sufferer to recognize situations that may trigger the disorders. Professional speech therapists are trained to help with a number of different disorders and are certified by a board of examiners.