Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects the fluency of speech. It involves interruptions in the normal flow of speaking, such as: • Repeating sounds, syllables, or words (e.g., “b-b-ball”) • Prolonging sounds (e.g., “ssssun”) • Getting stuck or blocked on words where no sound comes out Stuttering can also be accompanied by physical tension, facial grimaces, or anxiety about speaking. It often starts in childhood and can persist into adulthood, though some people outgrow it. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it may involve genetics, brain differences, and environmental factors.