Speech disorders can be broken down into three subcategories. The first is speech impediments resulting from carelessness when learning to talk. The second is speech disorders relating to mental problems. The third type of speech impediments are due to physical defects such as cleft palate.

Whatever the base cause of the impediment, the same problems will occur. The sufferer will have difficulty communicating and releasing words. He may be able to release words, but there may be a certain characteristic to the way he talks. On the other hand, the speech may sound strange and disjointed, characterized by sudden stops or starts.

Stuttering is one of the most common speech disorders. Stuttering is characterized by a repetition of speech. It appears rapidly in some and slowly in others. People who suffer from stuttering may repeat only the first part of the word or may elongate their words.

The person who stutters will be aware that she is doing it. It can be a source of constant frustration and can result from either mental or physical causes. Speech therapists can help with speech disorders such as stuttering. They use relaxation techniques, including breathing exercises, that may alleviate the problem. Many children who stutter grow out of it, although the problem may reappear in times of stress in later life.

Stammering is another common speech disorder, in which the sufferer may be unable to express sounds. He may have difficulty in beginning words or sentences. Stammering can be spasmodic, which means that it also affects the facial muscles. Stammering is often combined with stuttering. At times, the sufferer may not be able to express sounds, and at other times, he may repeat words or syllables continually.

Another common category of speech disorders is lisping. Lisping usually begins in childhood and can be broken down into negligent, organic, and neurotic lisping. Negligent lisping occurs when parents do not teach their children to speak properly. Either the parents do not correct the child’s speech, or the child does not have role models to observe when learning to talk.

Organic lisping comes about mainly due to a physical defect such as a cleft palate or other deformities. Neurotic lisping is often a sign of mental disability. Neurotic lisping can be combined with stuttering or stammering.

Many speech disorders disappear over time. Speech therapists can be of great help to children and adults who suffer from speech disorders. They are able to help the sufferer to recognize trigger situations that may set off many different types of speech disorders. Professional speech therapists are trained to help with a number of different speech disorders and certified by a board of examiners.