Speech is viewed as the prototype of a group of complex ego functions that operate automatically, i.e., preconsciously. Stuttering is conceptualized as the prototype of dysautomatization, a trauma-induced disturbance that is frequently a transitory symptom. If it persists into latency and adolescence, it becomes a chronic syndrome that has two major aspects: (i) the primary disturbance, stutter as a symptom, a fixation resulting from early trauma; (ii) secondarily, later neurotic conflicts are engrafted upon and utilize the primary fixation. Moreover, the fixation determines the development of a character disorder which in general tends to reflect the structure of the fixation. Classical psychoanalytic technique may succeed in resolving the neurotic elements. Successful treatment of the primary fixation requires reeducational methods. The clinical and theoretical considerations are illustrated by the case of an adult female stutterer.