There have been countless theories about possible causes of stammering and many researchers throughout the world are currently involved in trying to find out exactly what underlies the condition.
Consequently, we are still not sure, but we do know that it is unlikely to be caused by one particular factor. Instead it is much more likely to be the result of a combination of factors which makes one person more vulnerable than another. For this reason it is often called "multifactorial".
Remember, parents do not cause stammering!
What do we mean by "multifactorial"?
This diagram demonstrates the various factors which have been linked to the development of stammering. Each individual will probably have different combination or "loading" of these, which have contributed to his or her vulnerability.
It can also be that this framework does not seem to fit; sometimes there seems to be absolutely no reason at all why a particular child has a stammering problem. This illustrates the complexity of the problem.
Physiological Factors
