Developmental stuttering is a term used by speech-language pathologists to describe a specific type of stuttering. In general, speech disorders are categorized by whether they emerged as a part of the individual’s development (prior to adulthood), or whether they were acquired later in life. 

If a person begins stuttering in childhood, they are considered to have a developmental stutter. Most people who stutter will fall into this category!

However, if a person can attribute their stuttering to a specific event (such as a traumatic event, or a head injury), their stuttering is considered to be an acquired disorder. 

People who begin to stutter after speaking fluently for their entire life should consult their family doctors. Some neurological conditions can cause an acquired stutter, and an assessment to rule these conditions out may be needed.