What Is Stuttering?
Stuttering is a speech disorder that disrupts the natural flow of speech, marked by repeating, pausing, or prolonging certain sounds and syllables. Individuals who stutter know what they want to say; the challenge lies in producing the physical sound. Around 70 million people worldwide stutter, representing 1 percent of the global population. Stuttering is most common in young children, but 75 percent eventually outgrow the condition, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Stuttering takes two forms. Developmental stuttering begins in childhood and may materialize when the child wants to express language, but their speech skills haven’t fully developed yet. The causes of stuttering are not fully understood, but genetics plays an important role: The risk of stuttering is three times higher when a first degree relative has the condition, according to the DSM-5. The second type of stuttering, neurogenic stuttering, occurs as a result of brain injury such as stroke or head trauma.

Stuttering varies widely by setting. For example, stuttering is often exacerbated during public speaking but disappears while singing or reading. A difficult cycle underlying the condition is that stuttering can lead to anxiety while speaking, which in turn can lead to more stuttering—especially in pressured situations such as a school presentation or job interview. Behaviors including eye blinks, lip tremors, and head jerks can accompany stuttering as well. Stuttering has the potential to harm relationships, academic goals, and professional pursuits—but there are effective strategies to treat the condition.

Advice to help your child or to support a friend.
– Don’t require your child to speak precisely or correctly at all times. Allow talking to be fun and enjoyable.
– Use family meals as a conversation time. Avoid distractions such as radio or TV.
– Avoid corrections or criticisms such as “slow down,” “take your time,” or “take a deep breath.” These comments, however well-intentioned, will only make your child/friend feel more self-conscious.
– Avoid having your child speak or read aloud when uncomfortable or when the stuttering increases. Instead, during these times encourage activities that do not require a lot of talking.
– Don’t interrupt your child/friend or tell him or her to start over.
– Don’t tell your child/friend to think before speaking.
– Provide a calm atmosphere in the home.
– Speak slowly and clearly when talking to your child/friend or others in his or her presence.
– Maintain eye contact with your child/friend. Try not to look away or show signs of being upset.
– Let your child/friend speak for himself or herself and to finish thoughts and sentences. Pause before responding to your child’s questions or comments.
– Talk slowly to your child. This takes practice! Modeling a slow rate of speech will help with your child’s fluency.

For more information visit https://stuttering-delferro.com/
Our partner, Dell Ferro institute, offers once a year a 5 day course in Danang (Vietnam). For more details about date, fees and other information please contact us. Going through life without stuttering!!!!!!!