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In this Article

• How is speech normally produced?
• Who stutters?
• What causes stuttering?
• How is stuttering diagnosed?
• How is stuttering treated?
• What research is being done about stuttering?
• Where can I get additional information?
• Stuttering Glossary
• Stuttering Index

What research is being done about stuttering?

Stuttering research is exploring ways to improve the diagnosis and treatment of stuttering as well as to identify its causes. Emphasis is being placed on improving the ability to determine which children will outgrow their stuttering and which children will stutter the rest of their lives. Stuttering characteristics are being examined to help identify groups of individuals who have similar types of stuttering and therefore may have a common cause. Research is also being conducted that will help locate the possible genes for the types of stuttering that tend to run in families. Modern medical tools such as PET (positron emission tomography) scans and functional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans are offering insight into the brain organization of individuals who stutter. The effectiveness of different types of treatment are also being examined, and new treatments are being developed.

Where can I get more information?

NIDCD maintains a directory of organizations that can answer questions and provide printed or electronic information on stuttering. Please see the list of organizations at www.nidcd.nih.gov/directory.

Use the following keywords to help you search for organizations that are relevant to stuttering:

• Stuttering



• Speech-language pathologists



• Physician/practitioner referrals

For more information, additional addresses and phone numbers, or a printed list of organizations, contact:

NIDCD Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
Toll-free Voice: (800) 241-1044
Toll-free TTY: (800) 241-1055
Fax: (301) 770-8977
E-mail: nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov

Stuttering Foundation of America
3100 Walnut Grove Road, Suite 603
PO Box 11749
Memphis, TN 38111-0749
Toll-free: (800) 992-9392
Fax: (901) 452-3931
E-mail: info@stutteringhelp.org
http://www.stutteringhelp.org/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, Maryland 20852
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/stuttering.htm

National Stuttering Association
119 W. 40th Street
14th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Toll-free: (800) WeStutter (800-937-8888)
Fax: 212-944-8244
E-mail: info@WeStutter.org
http://www.nsastutter.org/

SOURCE: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders