Speak easy

Much is still unknown about the causes of stuttering but researchers are making progress on its genetic origins.

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Stuttering tends to run in families and scientists are now building a clearer picture of why.

The largest global analysis so far has pinpointed 48 genes associated with this speech fluency disorder. A million people provided saliva samples to researchers at Australia's Curtin Stuttering Treatment Centre for the groundbreaking project.

Here in New Zealand, it is estimated around 1% of adults have a stutter. They may struggle to get words out, and/or repeat sounds and syllables. Sometimes this is accompanied by physical signs such as closing the eyes, tensing the face or moving the head.

The latest research may be set to lead to a DNA test that could predict which members of a family are most likely to develop a stutter so they can be treated while still young.

Early intervention is ideal, says speech language therapist Janelle Irvine, not only because we have greater neuroplasticity as children but because there tend to be fewer complicating factors such as the embarrassment and social anxiety often associated with stuttering.

At Start, a charitable trust, therapy and support are offered to people of all ages across New Zealand. Many will ask for help at transition points in their lives.

There is a "whole person" approach to treatment. As well as speech language therapists the Start team includes a social worker/counsellor, who provides cognitive behavioural therapy to help manage any psychological issues, such as anxiety and low self-esteem.