Incidence and Prognosis of Stuttering
Incidence
According to Hussain and Lui (2024), stuttering is a common condition with a global
prevalence of around 80 million. Childhood-onset fluency disorder is the most common
among developmental stuttering disorders affecting 5% to 10% of preschoolers aged 2 to 6
years (Sommer et al., 2021).
Development and course
The onset of developing childhood-onset fluency disorder is between 2-7 years and
can be gradual or sudden (Sommer et al., 2021). Evidence shows that between 80-90% of
cases occur before age 6 (Sommer et al., 2021). In its early stages, a child may show mild
repetition of words or sounds which may go unnoticed. However, this graduates over time to
persistent speech disruption that is clearly noticeable.
Variable course of stuttering may easily resolve in some children while in others it
persists into adulthood. Also, some children have periods when they stutter most as
influenced by factors such as fatigue, stress, and excitement (Sommer et al., 2021).
Prognosis
About 75%–80% of children who undergo speech therapy will stop stuttering within
one to two years (Daly, 2024). Similarly, most children with childhood-onset fluency disorder
outgrow stuttering as they get older. Only about 25% of childhood stuttering cases continue
into adulthood. The earlier the onset of childhood-onset fluency disorder, the greater the risk
of spontaneous recovery. Besides, girls are more likely to recover than boys same as children
who receive support from family members and caregivers.
Considerations related to culture, gender, age
While in some cultures stuttering may be viewed as a minor issue, in others it may be
seen as a sign of disability. In other cultures, stuttering may be linked to religious beliefs such
as bad luck and affect care-seeking behavior and stigma. Boys are more likely to develop
stuttering than girls. Similarly, the stuttering experienced by boys is more likely to persist into
adolescence and adulthood. The stuttering experienced by girls is milder and the recovery
rate higher. Childhood-onset fluency disorder occurs in children ages 2-7 years and the earlier
the onset, the better the prognosis.
Incidence and Prognosis of Stuttering
