Stuttering: a brief review

Am Fam Physician. 1998 May 1;57(9):2175-8.

Abstract

The etiology of stuttering is controversial. The prevailing theories point to measurable neurophysical dysfunctions that disrupt the precise timing required to produce speech. Stuttering is a common disorder that usually resolves by adulthood. Almost 80 percent of children who stutter recover fluency by the age of 16 years. Mild stuttering is self-limited, but more severe stuttering requires speech therapy which is the mainstay of treatment. Delayed auditory feedback and computer-assisted training are currently used to help slow down speech and control other speech mechanisms. Pharmacologic therapy is seldom used, although haloperidol has been somewhat effective.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Stuttering* / epidemiology
  • Stuttering* / etiology
  • Stuttering* / therapy

Substances

  • Haloperidol