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Stuttering is a speech disorder
that affects three million people in the United
States. |
Facts About Stuttering:
- Stuttering is a disruption in the normal flow of speaking characterized
by repetitions, or prolongations of sounds or complete blockings
of sounds.
- About one percent of any population stutters. That means in
the United States there are at least three million people who
stutter.
- Research has shown that stuttering is likely a physiological
disorder not caused by psychological factors or the actions of
others.
- People who stutter have a significantly slower ability to
turn their voice on and off quickly.
- People who stutter use their brain in a different way to
speak than people who don’t stutter.
- Three times more males stutter than females.
- Stuttering is genetic and runs in families.
- People who stutter don't stutter when they:
- Sing
- Whisper
- Speak along with a group saying the same words (choral speaking)
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Therapies for Stuttering:
- Stuttering Modification - Developed in the
1930's - the goal is to learn to stutter more easily and feel
OK with your stuttering.
- Fluency Shaping – Developed in the 1970’s – the
goal is to replace stuttered speech with stutter-free speech.
- SpeechEasy Device – Developed in 2002 – Feeds
back the sound of your own voice at a slight delay and frequency
shift using the choral speaking principal.
- Lidcombe Program – Developed in Australia
recently. Parents of preschoolers are trained to reward fluency
in the home environment.
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Talking to People Who Stutter
- Try not to finish sentences or fill in words. No one likes
words put in his or her mouth. Problems can also multiply if
you guess wrong.
- Avoid suggestions such as "Slow down," "Relax," or "Take
a Breath." If these suggestions worked, the person wouldn't
stutter.
- Wait patiently until your conversational partner is finished
speaking. Maintain eye contact and try not to look embarrassed
or alarmed.
- Talk about stuttering openly. It should not be a taboo subject.
Your friend or family member will appreciate your interest in
the subject.
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Mark was a severe stutterer himself for years before going through the Stutter-Free Speech Program.
Now he is a Board Recognized Specialist in Stuttering dedicated to helping people who stutter.
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