Stammering is a neurological condition which makes it physically hard to speak. Someone who stammers will repeat, prolong or get stuck on sounds or words. There might also be signs of visible tension as the person struggles to get the word out.
- About 8% of children will stammer at some point, but most will go on to talk fluently.
- For up to 3% of adults it will be a lifelong condition.
- Stammering affects mainly men and every ethnicity.
- There is no link between stammering and intellectual capacity.
- Like other neurological conditions, it covers a spectrum. Everyone stammers differently and to different degrees.
- For some there’ll be periods of their life when they stammer less and others when they will struggle to speak.
- Many find that as they get older the condition improves.
- In the UK we largely use the term stammering. Elsewhere in the world the term used is stuttering.
We estimate that at least 4,000 civil servants stammer. Stammering is recognised as a disability under the Equality Act.
People who stammer may feel more anxious or nervous about speaking because of their stammer, but this is not the cause of their stammering. However, they often have qualities that employers rate highly, such as resilience, empathy, listening skills and creativity. There is a huge stigma surrounds stammering as people inadvertently put a premium on smooth or ‘fluent’ speech. Discrimination is commonplace such as being passed over for jobs or promotions, as well as being made to feel their verbal contributions in meetings are not valued.
What causes stammering?
Research using brain imaging techniques (MRI) clearly shows that people who stammer have brain anatomy and function that is different from people who don’t stammer. Speech production is a hugely complex system of connections within the brain and in people who stammer, the connections are arranged in a slightly less efficient way. These differences only affect fluency of speech, but no other cognitive function. People who stammer have normal intelligence, competence and ability.
Stammering can be audible or hidden, but both types can have an enormous effect on the individual’s personal and professional life. Most people develop stammering in early childhood as they learn to speak. However, some people develop a stammer in later life through a brain injury such as a stroke.
What is the impact of having a stammer?
People who stammer may feel more anxious or nervous about speaking because of their stammer, but this is not the cause of their stammering. However, they often have qualities that employers rate highly, such as resilience, empathy, listening skills and creativity. There is a huge stigma surrounding stammering as people inadvertently put a premium on smooth or ‘fluent’ speech. Discrimination is commonplace such as being passed over for jobs or promotions, as well as being made to feel their verbal contributions in meetings are not valued. Even if you can’t hear their stammer, the person could be spending a lot of time and energy hiding their stammer and have developed a stigma about how they speak.
Stammering is variable.
A stammer can change from one day, hour or sentence, to the next. The daily impact of this can be disempowering: to literally have the ability to take an active part in conversations or even order a coffee, be taken away by a physical disability.
What support does the Civil Service offer?
The Civil Service is a member of the British Stammering Association and can access professional advice, support and lunchtime learning sessions. We also offer:
- Connections to people like you as well as a network of allies
- Contacts in your department or agency or nearby work location
- A buddy network across the UK
- Social media groups to share with other stammerers in safe spaces
- Social events, workshops and opportunities to network
- Information, advice and guidance on stammering and communication at work
How can I access support?
If you’d like to learn more about how to support a colleague who stammers, get in contact or take a look at the resources on Reasonable Adjustments, recruiting or working with someone who stammers.
STAMMA Civil Service 