With stuttering a topic of national interest in the news, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is working to put out the facts about this speech disorder and how to seek help from speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

ASHA offers a variety of educational resources about stuttering at www.asha.org/stuttering-toolkit/, covering topics such as communication tips for people who stutter and their loved ones, when to seek help for stuttering, and treatment options for children and adults.

For their sake and that of all people who stutter, ASHA also seeks to correct misinformation about stuttering that has appeared in recent media coverage. Some basic facts and outdated perceptions that were misreported include:

  • Terminology: Use of terms such as “affliction” and “impediment” are outdated and potentially offensive terms that you should always avoid when referring to stuttering.
  • Causes: Numerous factors contribute to stuttering. It is rooted in a combination of genetic and neurological factors. Many people who stutter have a family history of stuttering. Anxiety is not a cause of stuttering, although it can be a consequence.
  • Prevalence: Around 5% of children stutter (which may include repetitions of consonant sounds and words; blocks; prolongations of sounds; and negative reactions to stuttering), and 1% of the adult population stutters.
  • Onset: Approximately 95% of children who stutter start to do so before the age of 4 years, and the average age of onset is between 2 and 3 years.
  • Recovery: Across age groups, recovery rates are estimated to be 60%–73% of individuals who were disfluent previously—meaning people whose disfluencies didn’t persist. For those who show signs of stuttering that is likely to persist, treatment by SLPs can improve a person’s acceptance of stuttering and their comfortable participation in academic, social, vocational, and other activities. Early intervention is important, so parents should always seek an SLP for assessment if concerned about their child’s speech.
  • Treatment: The primary focus of treatment for stuttering is aiming for acceptance rather than aiming to “overcome” or “cure” stuttering. This often includes a person disclosing that they stutter to others, which can reduce pressure to talk fluently. An SLP can help a person who stutters manage their own negative reactions to their speech disfluencies.
  • Helping Others Who Stutter: The best approach to take when communicating with someone who stutters is to be patient; give them the time they need to get their message across; create an environment that is accepting of stuttering; and have positive, open discussions about stuttering.

ASHA encourages the public to seek help from SLPs, highly trained professionals who provide people who stutter with services that can make an important and positive difference in their lives.  North Country Hospital has Speech Language Pathologists who can help.  If you think this might help you or your child, talk to your physician and request a referral.  Call North Country Hospital – Rehabilitation if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, 802-334-3260.

Reference: Senior, Rob. September 16, 2020.  ASHA offers resources on stuttering, clarifies misconceptions.  Retrieved from: \\office\office\Rehab\Marketing\Newspaper\ASHA Offers Resources on Stuttering, Clarifies Misconceptions – Elite Learning.mht

Submitted by Katesel Strimbeck PT, MS, MHA. Katesel has been a PT for 22 years, she is Director of Rehabilitation Services at North Country Hospital, and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.