Some individuals who stutter appear extremely tense or out-of-breath when they talk. Their speech may be completely "blocked" (stopped).
"Blocked" is when their mouths are in the right position to say the word, but virtually no sound comes out. This may last several seconds. Sometimes the desired word is uttered, or interjections are used in order to delay the initiation of a word the speaker knows causes problems.
Examples of interjections include such words as "um", "like", "I mean", "well", or "uumm".
Common Signs and Symptoms Associated With Stuttering:
- Problems starting a word, phrase or sentence
- Hesitation before certain sounds have to be uttered
- Repeating a sound, word or syllable
- Certain speech sounds may be prolonged
- Speech may come out in spurts
- Words with certain sounds are substituted for others (circumlocution)
- Rapid blinking (when trying to talk)
- Trembling lips (when trying to talk)
- Foot may tap (when trying to talk)
- Trembling jaw (when trying to talk)
- Face and/or upper body tighten up (when trying to talk)
- Some may appear out of breath when talking
- Interjection, such as "uhm" used more frequently before attempting to utter certain sounds.