Is stuttering gender specific? Yes. Well… it is certainly biased in terms to
inheriting the condition, recovering from it, and social roles that it imposes.

Genetic pre-disposition
Speech defects like stuttering are a result of a lack of control of one’s
sensory- motor reflexes. This structural anomaly of the motor and sensory
regions of the brain has been traced to different factors. Whether it is a
combination of genetic and environmental factors or the inheritance of X-linked
chromosome remains unclear. However, statistics state that the chances of the
men who stutter are to transmit the condition to their daughters is 9% whereas
for their sons, it is a staggering 22%. Women who stutter are likely to pass the
pre-disposition towards stuttering to 17% of their daughters and 36% (roughly
double) of their sons. Thus, mothers are more likely to pass down the genetic
anomaly to their children, of whom men are more likely to inherit the speech
impediment than women.

Difference in Brain Structure
The structural anomalies between the two hemispheres of the brain that has been
attributed to speech defects also differs among men and women. Scientific
studies with the help of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and
diffusion tensor imaging of the brain structures of male and female stutterers
illuminate the differences. There exists significantly higher connectivity
between the two brain hemispheres in women who stutter that it does in their
male counterparts.

Recovery Rates
Of all the reported cases of young infants and children who stutter, 80% recover
from the impediment. Either through hard work and the help of speech therapists
or naturally (without treatment, which occurs exceptionally rarely). Of these
80%, most are women whereas men carry the speech defect into adulthood. As
children, the sex ratio of men and women who stutter is 2:1 respectively.
However, among adults the men who stutter to that of women is 4:1.

Whether women are resistant to inheriting speech defects, neurologically better
equipped to recover, or their cases remain unreported and undocumented is an
important topic of scientific inquiry. Gender, however, remains one of the most
distinguishing and significant factors for the predisposition towards stuttering
and other speech impediments.

Is Stuttering Gender Specific?

A child who stutters takes his cues from his parents and authority figures in
his/her life. If they have a practical and supportive attitude towards the
speech defect, the sense of alienation and unsurmountable difficulty is
lessened. Similarly, as an adult the profound friendships and relationships that
stutterers have will be with people who aren’t hostile or wary of their
communication.

It surely isn’t possible for someone to live anyone else’s shoes or truly
comprehend someone’s life experience, but an awareness of the condition helps
develop an empathy for it. For most people, our education and understanding of
social norms, etiquettes, and humanity comes from what we see represented in
media. In recent years, “The King’s Speech” did for stuttering what “My Left
Foot” did for cerebral palsy or “Rain Man” did for autism. It brought attention
to an impediment and recognized it in our collective public consciousness.

Colin Firth as King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue as the king’s
speech therapist capture the tenuous and intangible intimacy that exists between
a stutterer and those who work with them to overcome the speech defect. A
cleverly crafted script that with each interaction with the different
significant people in the king’s life explores a different facet of the
experience one has when they stutter. It subtly and effectively emphasizes how
critical supportive relationships are and how essential consistent coaching is.

The king’s struggle for control over his words, his pain, self-doubt, and anger
when it slips through his fingers, all in front of an audience of thousands is a
visceral experience. The fear that Firth manages to convey is palpable, so is
the soothing balm of acceptance and pride in his friend and pupil that Rush
conveys. In that, more than perhaps anything else, “The King’s Speech” is unique
and praise- worthy. It is accurate in capturing the experience of stuttering.
The constant boxing-match that goes on in the mind of a stutterer with itself.
Not an incurable disease that is to be treated with condescending caution or
ridicule. The mechanics of speech therapy are individual to each person who
stutters. However, “The King’s Speech” gets the heart right, with both the
quarrels and humor that come from the unlikely friendship between the King and
Logue.

Cultural Awareness of Stuttering through “The King’s Speech”

What's common between Elvis Presley, Kendrick Lamar, and Ed Sheeran, besides
their undeniable talent for music? They were and are prolific singers popular
all across the world for their music.

These are all famous personalities with tremendous talents who began singing as
an outlet because they stuttered well into adulthood. Early on, the only time
they were confident was when they were either singing for their friends and
family.

Sheeran, Lamar, and Carly Simon all found out that their stammering simply
disappears when they sing.

Why Do We Not Stutter While Singing?
While you are likely to think that it's just a fortunate coincidence, research
shows that it might not be the case.

According to Dr Barry Guitar, one of the leading personalities in modern speech
pathology research –

 1. While singing we move our tongue, lips, and vocal cords quite differently
    from when we speak.
 2. Whether it’s a famous singer or a bathroom singer, the person doesn’t feel
    the pressure to communicate while singing, which they face during
    conversations.
 3. The regulation of breathing is critical in singing. Regulated breathing also
    helps in minimizing blocks and prolongations.
 4. In most cases, singers already know the lyrics by heart. There is no “word
    searching” that may contribute to stuttering.
 5. Modern imaging techniques show that the language and communication centres
    of the brain function differently when a person is singing as compared to
    when they are talking.

Successful Singers Who (used to) Stutter
Some of the most popular singers stuttered as children. Many of them stutter
while talking even today! The one thing that binds them together is the freedom
of expression they enjoy when they are singing.

Many of these internationally recognized singers now have Grammys, Billboard
Music Awards, BBC Music Awards, and Pulitzer Prize for Music!

Here are some of the most popular examples of famous singers who struggled with
stuttering at some point in their lives:

1. Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
[https://stamuraiapp.medium.com/do-you-know-about-ed-sheerans-stuttering-journey-40740d8589e5] 
may be a Grammy winning singer, but he still struggles with fluency. He credits
Eminem and his rap songs to help him overcome his worst stuttering phase.

The fast pace, easy-to-remember lyrics and groovy melody helped Sheeran remain
fluent when he rapped along with The Marshall Mathers LP at home as a child.
That’s when Sheeran discovered the magic of music!

Singing helped Sheeran break free from stuttering. Even now the world-renowned
singer struggles to get the words out when he feels overwhelmed, but singing has
never let him down.

2. Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is a 7-time Grammy and Pulitzer winning rapper and songwriter who
has stuttered [https://www.stutteringhelp.org/content/kendrick-lamar] ever since
his early childhood. Instead of giving up, he focused all his energy into making
music.

His dedication, focus, and never-say-die attitude earned him critical acclaim
and international fame. Today, he is one of the most distinguished songwriters
of the world.

3. Chris Martin
The Coldplay lead singer had a stutter growing up. He still stutters
occasionally. It didn’t stop him or his band from receiving close to 600 awards
and award nominations between 2000 and 2021.

4. Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue is an internationally acclaimed singer and actress. She is the
highest-selling Australian singer of all time.

Despite her overwhelming success, she has spoken about her struggles with speech
disfluency. Singing was the only “exercise” that worked for Minogue. She began
to sing more frequently to stop stuttering.

5. Megan Washington
In a now popular Tedx Talk, Megan Washington opened up about the incessant
bullying she faced because of her childhood-onset stutter. Attending years of
therapy helped her discover the smooth-speech technique.

Although she is not comfortable with the sing--song way of talking, she admits
that it is similar to singing. Today, she stutters proudly and she focuses on
her music.

6. Elvis Presley
Very few know that the beloved King of Rock and Roll used to stutter even as an
adult.

If you watch his live performances closely, you will notice that Elvis does 
stutter [https://www.stutteringhelp.org/content/elvis-presley] while talking to
the audience in between songs! However, on stage, his voice and singing are bold
and effortless.

He had the dream of becoming a successful performer and he didn’t let his speech
disfluency get in his way despite not receiving formal speech therapy.

Before they became world-renowned singers, songwriters and performers, they were
children and teens with a stutter! However, instead of focusing on just the
problem, they relied on singing as a way to express themselves.

In the long run, they discovered their love, passion and talent for music. Then,
there was no stopping them!

The Therapeutic Effects of Singing
Singing is as natural as speaking. Therefore it serves as a valuable tool during
stuttering treatment. Research shows
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2996848/] that singing engages the
auditory-motor feedback pathways.

Singing stimulates and strengthens the muscles involved in articulation,
respiration and phonation. Intense singing practice can bring long-term changes
in the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems.

Currently, the most popular stuttering treatments include fluency shaping
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-fluency-shaping-techniques/] methods. A recent study
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/502508/] showed that singing can reduce
stuttering just like other traditional fluency-enhancing techniques.

Andrews, Howier, Dozsa and Guitar observed
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7120960/] that singing a known song for 10
minutes can reduce stuttering frequency by as much as 90% in PWS. A 2009 study
[https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/1092-4388(2008/07-0040)] conducted by
Davidow, Bothe, Andreatta and Ye has shown that singing can reduce stuttering
and may have a long term positive effect on the fluency of a person who
stutters.

Should Your Child Be Singing Even Before They Can Learn to Talk?
We saw “magic” when American Idol contestant Lazaro went on stage and shook the
entire world with one of the most heartfelt auditions. While Keith Urban was
famously criticized on every possible social media for his spontaneous comment
“You should sing all the time,” he did have a point.

Singing makes it easier for a person to stutter to express themselves. It is not
only an avenue for self-expression, but undergoing vocal training and voice
training will give any child the confidence necessary to go through daily life.

In our previous posts, we have discussed how a child who stutters may slowly
develop a lack of confidence. The negative attitudes and feelings associated
with stuttering can keep a person who stutters from achieving their full
potential.

Just imagine, if you are a parent of a child who is struggling with speech
impediments, you can always encourage your child to “sing it” to you. It is a
small step that can help your child find his or her first control over
breathing, phonation, and enunciation.

Introducing your child who stutters to the world of music is like handing the
control of their expression back to them!

Can You Use Music to Manage Stuttering?
Using music therapy to address speech disfluency is becoming a common practice.

Rhythmic speech cueing [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2014-42500-013] (RSC) is
a speech rate control technique that uses auditory rhythm to enhance fluency,
articulation, and understandability of speech. In RSC, the client receives
auditory stimulation. It is typically a continuous rhythmic pattern (background
music or metronomic pulse).

The rhythm and tempo are the most important factors during RSC. Therefore, it is
prudent to work with a speech therapist who has an idea about your rate of
stuttering. They can set a tempo and rhythm that may be most effective for
inducing fluency.

Music Lessons and Speech Therapy Can Go Hand in Hand
Speech therapy is always beneficial for someone with a stuttering problem. It is
especially beneficial for a child, who has just begun to show signs of
stuttering.

Early intervention in the form of speech therapy guided by an experienced
speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help children overcome the struggles of
stuttering, and keep the negative emotions at bay.

Addressing stuttering in children
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/five-stuttering-exercises-to-help-your-child/] is much easier
than in adults, since in the latter case, SLPs may have to deal with advanced
forms of stuttering, in addition to addressing cognitive behavioural issues that
arise from not being able to express one’s feelings in their desired words.

A study done in 1982 at the University of New South Wales shows that after
singing, participants showed a 90% reduction in stuttering. The participants
went on to show a consistent increase in phonation duration. In the case of
non-fluent aphasia (the inability to speak fluently), Melodic Intonation Therapy
(MIT) by Sparks, Albert, and Helm-Estabrooks, in the 70s, has shown significant
improvement in speech fluency.

An introduction of guided music classes in coordination with an experienced SLP
can help a child find an avenue of expression. Moreover, a child can always rely
on a new skill like singing to make friends, and socialize in kindergarten,
elementary school, or even in middle school!

Stuttering & Singing : What We Understand

The lockdown and self-quarantine have brought forth several changes for people.
These changes are especially pronounced for households with children.

Unlike the sweet summer last year, when your child was at school, you were busy
with household work or buried till your nose under paperwork at the office, this
year, things are different. 2020 has so far been a baffling year that has made
working from home, homeschooling and remote classes the new normal.

For parents of children who stutter, you might be shouldering a bit more
responsibility than other parents – setting up online speech therapy sessions,
practising their speech exercises or overseeing them do so correctly. We know
you already have your plates full! So we won’t add to the list of to-dos.
Instead, we will help you transform speech therapy from a “chore” to enjoyable
family time.

First things first – you need to forget worrying about whether your child has
dedicated enough time after school lessons to practice their speaking
strategies.

You need to think about using the same time your child uses to practice speech
strategies for increasing communication between you and your child. These will
have a few benefits you should be able to see by the time the lockdown measures
are lifted – your child will have increased confidence while speaking, you will
have a stronger bond with your child and you will learn more about stuttering
and your child’s experiences in school and other social situations.

Here’s how you can go about it –

 1. Have a real conversation – Forget about breathing exercises and phonation.
    Focus on the content. Does your child enjoy reading fairy tales or does he
    enjoy video games? Just let your child talk and be sure to listen. Spend the
    precious time you now have by holding a real conversation. Chat like you
    have never chatted before. If they have siblings, include them in the
    conversation as well. Do not mention speech therapy, fluency or stuttering
    unless they do so. Don’t make the conversation about improving fluency.
    While your child is surely smart enough to understand that this is about
    helping their speech, make sure they enjoy the quality time you spend
    together without feeling monitored.
 2. Read your favourite stories – Reading is not just for bedtimes. You can read
    stories of great wars, famous personalities, fables and much more. Be sure
    to intersperse their favourite topics with inspirational stories about
    kings, queens, politicians, sports personalities and actors who have
    achieved much despite speech disfluencies. Stamurai has a wide collection of
    short stories and biographies on such inspiring personalities who overcame
    stuttering to win worldwide fame and accolades. Stick to heroes your child
    will relate to. Apart from the Stamurai app and blog, you can find inspiring
    stories online in the form of free downloadable eBooks on Kindle or in PDF
    format for your child.
 3. Ask your child to teach you to stutter – It is a crucial part of speech
    therapy – a child who stutters can learn much about breathing control and
    muscle control when teaching others to stutter voluntarily. Make sure the
    sessions are respectful for your child, especially, if their siblings are
    around. They should not feel ridiculed or objectified. Begin to explore
    their feelings about stuttering. If there comes an opportunity during this
    session, ask your child how it feels for them to stutter. It will open new
    windows into your child’s psyche as you find out how they feel and how they
    think. Explore their experiences, and emotions in specific situations. It
    can not only strengthen your bond, but it might also give you an insight
    into their social life. You will be able to find out if they feel bullied or
    harassed at school or in other social situations.
 4. Explore the facts about stuttering with your child – Exploring the facts
    about stuttering is quite the opposite of discouraging for children. Most
    children have the natural ability to see the silver lining in situations and
    they are much better at adapting to adversities than us, adults. So, if you
    are feeling guilty about upholding the facts and stats about stuttering to
    your child, especially since some of the facts make it apparent that
    stuttering does not have a permanent cure, don’t be! Learning the facts will
    provide your child with the knowledge they need to answer the curiosities of
    adults and fight their bullies. Let them learn how unique they are! Bust the
    myths about stuttering together. Tell them that they are smart, intelligent,
    cognizant and completely capable of achieving what their peers are right
    now, and even more.

Yes, life is difficult for a child, who stutters, especially when their teachers
and classmates are not sensitive. Take this time you have to prepare your child
to face the odds in life by arming him or her with the correct information,
confidence and hope.

Your love and care will make a whole lot of a difference in their life. Most
importantly, once their speech therapy resumes, they might even perform better
and show much improvement within a shorter period simply because you imbibed
them with the confidence they dearly need.

Help your child's stutters during this never-ending lockdown?

A very recent study [https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad10/papers/rasskazov10.html] 
shows that 62.57% of the English speaking participants do not stutter when
speaking alone in a room. Interestingly, around 27.47% of the people did not
stutter when speaking to their pets.

The study included 1485 Russian speakers and 171 English speakers. In this
rather large scale study, the results were quite consistent as around 65.67% of
the Russian speakers did not stutter when they spoke alone inside a room or read
out loud to themselves either.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]We Don’t Stutter When Alone: What Drives
Stuttering in Social Situations?
It simply reiterates what many of us who stutter already know – we speak without
any disfluency when we are not around people. However, the moment we step
outside, whether to go for a movie, to a restaurant to meet friends or enter a
family gathering, our stuttering keeps us from expressing ourselves freely.

At least two important questions can arise from this phenomenon –

 1. Why do we NOT stutter when alone?
 2. Can we extend this non-stuttering to situations when we are not alone?

A recently published study
[https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2021/october/study-finds-that-adults-who-stutter-don-t-stutter-when-they-re-a.html] 
shows that the perception or feeling of being heard plays a significant role in
the speech fluency of a speaker who stutters.

Researchers have dubbed this the “talk alone effect.” PWS who believe that they
don’t have an audience do not stutter during private speech. Private speech can
be when they are talking to themselves in their room, or reading aloud to
themselves.

Several anecdotal reports have presented this phenomenon, but this is the first
time that a team of NYU researchers have provided evidence for the “talk alone
effect.”

During this particular study [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34534899/] led by
NYU Steinhardt Professor Eric S. Jackson, participants were left alone with a
task on the computer which primed the environment for private speech.
Researchers also told the participants that people who talk to themselves during
the task tend to perform well, and that no one would be listening to them at
all.

As compared to other speech conditions like conversations and reading, the
participants did not stutter while “talking alone.”

Jackson concluded, “The possibility of having a listener introduces the
possibility of social evaluation. A person who stutters considers the social
component while speaking in front of a listener.” Removing the possibility of
being socially evaluated and judged puts the speaker at ease.

The study brings forth an important side to the precipitation of stuttering in
adults [https://stamurai.com/blog/causes-of-stuttering-in-adults/] and children
[https://stamurai.com/blog/parents-guide-to-help-child-who-stutters/] - a social
component. According to Jackson, “Stuttering is not just a speech disorder. A
strong social component lies at the core of stuttering.”

Why Do We Stutter In Front Of Others?
Children and adults tend to not stutter when talking to themselves, or singing
[https://stamurai.com/blog/stuttering-and-singing-what-we-understand/] in their
rooms/bathrooms, talking to babies or pets. Some don’t stutter when angry,
others seem to stutter severely when angry.

Similarly, your child may be stuttering
[https://stamurai.com/blog/what-is-stuttering/] in school, but not as much when
at home.

Stuttering is a combination
[https://stamurai.com/blog/is-stuttering-biological-or-psychological/] of
physical and physiological factors. Therefore, decoding the reasons for not
stuttering in certain situations is not as easy as you might want them to be.

One of the most common reasons behind this phenomenon is that when talking to
the self, you are more relaxed. You don’t have to think about how people will
perceive or judge you. Speech disfluencies are more common in stressful
situations. While non-stutterers might think that stressful situations only
include job interviews and examinations, but for people who stutter, simple
social interactions can be stressful as well.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]Why Is Producing Fluent Speech Not As Easy As
People Make It Out To Be?
Speech is always about expressing oneself.

It has two distinct components – verbal (the words) and non-verbal (mood,
attitude, feelings, and emotions).

Conveying how you feel is a huge part of the communication process. One could
say that these emotions occlude the word selection and speech production process
in those who stutter.

As we have discussed earlier, people who stutter have significantly different
brain structure
[https://stamurai.com/blog/cellular-causes-of-stuttering-in-adults-and-children/]
.

According to Dr Barry Guitar, and several other researchers, in the case of
people who stutter, nerve fibres in the left hemisphere of their brain can’t
conduct impulses along the nerve bundle.

It makes speech processing and production a rather slower process as compared to
people who don’t stutter. The right hemisphere of the brain is the location of
emotions including fear and anxiety, which dominates the surrounding neural
connections.

Why Can’t We Pretend To Be Alone While Talking In Front Of Others?
An adult or a child can stutter less, more, or not at all, depending on the
stress level he or she experiences. In an environment where the person who
stutters is confident and comfortable, they will stutter less or not at all.
These situations can include home for some, singing classes for some, and an
animal shelter for others.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]Brain imaging studies [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3574760/] 
show that when people are relaxed more, they stutter less. However, contrary to
this theory, people who stutter, often state that the more they try to relax
forcefully, the more tense or anxious
[https://stamurai.com/blog/how-to-overcome-fear-and-tension-if-you-stutter/] 
they become. It is like a vicious cycle, which even some children cannot escape.

Therefore, extrapolating the emotions
[https://stamurai.com/blog/channel-your-emotions-to-reduce-your-stutter/] and
feelings that enable fluent speech at home to public situations isn’t easy at
all.

How Can We Find The Fluency In Our Stuttering?
This is where the role of a speech therapist
[https://stamurai.com/blog/stuttering-treatment-how-can-a-speech-language-pathologist-help/] 
becomes indispensable. For children, typically, speech therapy is more effective
than in the case of adults.

In the case of adults, speech therapy often requires the support of cognitive
behavioural therapy
[https://stamurai.com/blog/stuttering-and-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt/] for
addressing the negative attitudes that accompany their speech disfluency.

Getting rid of stuttering is not a one-day task.

While you may be able to speak fluently or almost fluently in front of a mirror,
or while reading out aloud or while singing along with your favourite singer,
you need to kindle and preserve the same level of comfort, and confidence while
talking to real people in the real world.

The first step towards overcoming your fear
[https://stamurai.com/blog/overcome-stuttering-fear-and-insecurity/],
embarrassment and/or anxiety of stuttering is by embracing your stutter
[https://stamurai.com/blog/should-you-accept-your-stuttering-yes-absolutely/].

Accept that you might stutter while talking to a person or in a group.

Next, accept the fact that stuttering does not make you less important or any
less capable than your peers. Once you learn how to stutter confidently
[https://stamurai.com/blog/voluntary-stuttering-and-fluency/] (and maybe with
some swag too), you will automatically find yourself stuttering less and less
every day with continued therapy and practice.

Why Don't We Stutter When Talking Alone?

Different people who stutter will certainly differ in terms of the severity of
the condition. Moreover, the severity of the impediment can vary within one
person, from one situation to another, one social interaction to other, day to
day, sometimes within a single day.

Why does it vary?
What makes a person’s stutter worse or severe is unique to them and how external
factors like stress, fatigue, and anxiety affects them. The pressure and fear of
disguising or hiding the stutter can also aggravate the condition.

How does the severity manifest itself?
Stuttering is characterized by the prolongation, struggle to pronounce, and
repetition of certain words and syllables. The longer the prolongation or
repetition, the more severe the impediment.

How is the severity of a stutter measured?
The severity or degree of stuttering is graded by most researchers by the
percentage of syllables prolonged or repeated while speaking. Speech
pathologists and therapists conduct tests to examine the ratio of non-stuttered
and stuttered syllables in a conversation. The most prominent method of
classification of the degrees of severity is as follows –

 * Less than 5% of syllables stuttered is considered mild.
 * 5-10% is considered mild to moderate.
 * 10-15% is considered moderate.
 * 15-20% is considered moderate to severe.
 * Above 20% is considered severe.

Speech therapists and pathologists try to ensure that the child/adult being
examined feels comfortable and willing to converse so as to get as accurate a
result as possible.

Does the severity of stuttering increase with age?
Stuttering is pre-dominantly a result a genetic pre-disposition towards it,
though it can occur suddenly in adults due to head trauma and other factors. And
if left untreated, it does increase in severity and becomes more difficult to
treat. As one grows up, objectively speaking, one deals with more stress,
anxiety and societal pressures than children. So, a child who stutters needs to
be cared for, guided, and educated in how to cope with and navigate these
pressures as early as possible.

Depending on the severity of the disfluency, the speech therapists curate and
customize the treatment required. Whether through word/ phrase substitutions or
through vocal and breathing exercises, the better understood the condition, the
better is shall be treated.

Understanding Degrees of Stuttering Severity

For a kid, stuttering may or may not cause a significant emotional impact. Since
it is common, and most kids do not have any inhibitions, their daily lives are
typically the same. And, all the more, the parents would work with them day in
and day out to help them cope up, practice, and take them to speech therapy.
But, when you are a teen, young, or even an older adult, stuttering may hold you
back from your day to day life. While that’s not the only reason, it will also
keep you back from doing things you love.

Why You Should Accept Your Stuttering?
 * Open to a World of Possibility: When you accept that stuttering is a part of
   life, you can do anything you want. Did you want to be a part of a college
   club? Do you want to hang out with your colleagues after work? All you need
   to do is clear your schedule.

 * Understand People Better: Stuttering sometimes can be a lonely world. And,
   even when people try and help you by saying things like ‘Hey relax, take a
   break’ or ‘Just accept the way you are’ can be hurtful. But when you adjust
   your attitude and have a conversation with them, you might realize that the
   issue was in your head than their mind. It will help you connect with your
   people and form long- term relationships.

 * Lessen Your Anxiety: If you have been taking therapies and working on your
   speech every day, it adds extra tension on you to perform well all the time.
   Your thoughts may range from ‘If I don’t do that, people will know I
   stutter.’ Hiding from people continually can be exhausting. Once you let go,
   your anxiety will come down, thereby reducing the stutter.

 * Reduces the Pressure to Be Perfect: It is in continuation of the previous
   point. Your constant need to be perfect and in sync is a myth. Celebrities
   like Tiger Woods, Julia Roberts, Emily Blunt, Nicole Kidman, Ed Sheeran,
   Shaquille O’Neal have battled stuttering at some point. And, once you start
   connecting, you will also find people who are similar to you.

Ways to Accept Stuttering
There are many ways to accept your stuttering. There are no right or wrong ways
about it. It depends on person to person and their ways to cope with it. Some of
them include:

Wear a Pin: The stutter association gives out a pin to wear them as a badge on
your dresses and bags. You can wear them to publicly talk about it or make
yourself visible for people who need to connect.

Find a Support Group: The best way to talk about your feelings and accept the
issue is to find a support group. By that, you will come across other’s
experience and how they deal with it, which in turn gives you the boost to
handle your issues. In support groups, you can also make a like-minded friend.

Speech Therapy: Speech therapy is the most common way to combat stuttering. But,
gone are those days where you need to take time and rearrange your entire day to
visit a therapist. You can now download the Stamurai app to practice your speech
therapy daily based on when you are free. You can also connect with us on social
media and join our online community.

Accept your stuttering might be a huge milestone and scary. But, it will only
make you more genuine and sincere.

Should You Accept Your Stuttering? Yes, Absolutely

Most of you have found Stamurai because you stutter, or you want to help a
friend or family member who does. Speech exercises and motivational talk can
help those who stutter, but it is incredibly important for those around them to
create a support network.

To be supportive the first thing someone needs to learn is how to talk to
someone who stutters. So, today’s post is slightly different – it is not just
for those with speech dysfluencies, but for their families, friends, teachers
and peers.

Why is this post important?
People who stutter are often perceived as less intelligent by the ones who have
never experienced speech dysfluencies. It is far from the truth. Some of the
most successful entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers, doctors and speech
therapists, teachers and professors, actors and singers stutter when they speak.

It is time for us, the ones who don’t stutter, to change our opinion and
perception about the ones who do!

How we address a person and converse with them says a lot about how much we
value them and respect them. It is easy to say that we must never discriminate
against someone with fluency issues, but it’s difficult to practice that. You
may have a friend, family member, student or colleague who stutters. You might
find it awkward at times to hold a conversation with them simply because you
don’t know if you should finish their sentences, urge them to slow down or just
be patient.

Well, let’s find out, shall we?

The do’s and don’t’s of talking to someone who stutters –
 1. DO NOT offer them speaking advice – “Maybe you should slow down”, “organize
    your thoughts before you speak”, or “maybe you should get some more rest” –
    are pieces of “advice” PWS have received thousand and one times. Although
    they might smile and nod when you offer your advice to them, it really does
    not help. In the case of people who are otherwise fluent, but experiencing
    some level of disfluency while talking, these are helpful advice. However,
    the causes of stuttering are multifaceted and slowing down does not get rid
    of one’s stuttering. In place of helping, you can come off as patronizing
    and condescending. It can end your conversation prematurely, change its
    direction or put the PWS off completely. So, no matter how much you have
    read about stuttering and the treatments for stuttering, please refrain from
    giving any advice when a PWS is trying to hold a conversation with you.
 2. Be patient – There is nothing a person wants more than to be heard. So, why
    try to rush a person through their speech or try to complete their sentences
    and find words for them, when they are sharing their thoughts and ideas with
    you. It happens more often with PWS that they’d like, and honestly, it’s
    more than just a tad bit disrespectful. They might even have a better
    knowledge of the language and a vibrant vocabulary, which you will never
    find out if you keep interrupting. The key to becoming a good friend or a
    strong part of one’s support system is by being a good listener. Maintain
    proper eye contact, don’t fill in for them, and just listen! Holding a
    successful conversation with someone who stutters is as easy as that.
 3. Don’t be afraid to ask twice – We know it can be difficult to understand
    what someone is saying especially if the person is experiencing too many
    blocks, repetitions and prolongations during the speech. Even therapists
    have to double-take at times to understand their clients. So, don’t just
    keep smiling and nodding your head if you don’t understand what a person
    with a stutter is saying. Asking them to repeat themselves for clarification
    just shows that you are invested in the conversation, and you have respect
    for their opinions/thoughts. Just be polite about asking the person to
    repeat that’s all. Something as simple as “pardon me, could you please
    repeat what you just now said?” or “I’m sorry, I quite didn’t catch that.
    Could you please say that again?” can be very effective.
 4. Focus on the matter of the conversation – Have you ever tried to hold a
    conversation with someone inside a bar, or in a school corridor? All you
    have to do is focus on what the person is saying and filter the noise out.
    You can use the same strategy to talk to someone who stutters. If you are
    really interested in a conversation, the repeats, blocks and prolongations
    will automatically mute themselves in your brain after a while and you will
    be able to hear what the person wants to say. While all you need to do is
    focus on the matter of the conversation, you need to acknowledge the fact
    that the speaker may take a couple more minutes to finish what they are
    saying due to their speech dysfluency.
 5. Accept that stuttering is NORMAL – Sometimes, we get too caught up in the
    definition of normal. With 70 million people around the world who stutter,
    it is nothing more or less than normal. It is up to the people with fluent
    speech to accept the fact that it’s indeed ok for people to stutter. It is a
    speech dysfluency that does not make a person any less capable, intelligent
    or knowledgeable than someone without speech problems. It is up to everyone
    to destigmatize stuttering.

Talking to someone who stutters should not be any different from someone who
doesn’t. You need the same basic listening skills that you need to carry on any
conversation in your daily life. As long as you remember to treat someone who
stutters with the same respect as others, you will find it quite easy to hold a
pleasant conversation with them.

Changing the perception about stuttering: 5 tips for talking to someone who stutters

Yoga is becoming incredibly popular across the globe with the stress levels
mounting due to the pandemic. Lots of people who are not getting enough outdoor
exercise are turning to yoga at home to remain healthy and stave off weight
gain.

Yoga is not one exercise. It is a collection of different static and dynamic
postures (or asanas) that focus on every organ and muscle group of the body. It
can vary in intensity and difficulty between the beginner, intermediate and
advanced levels. It is an ancient form of workout that benefits every organ
system and the nervous system of an individual.

We have heard famous personalities claim how yoga has helped them overcome
speech and fluency disorders. Although the research on yoga and how it affects
stuttering is not extensive, there is enough proof that ascertains its
remediating effects on the intensity of stammering in children and adults.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]Does yoga really help reduce stuttering?
According to Heather Kauffman’s research published in 2016, yoga modulates the
activities of the autonomic nervous system. Several other studies already show
how yoga can reduce anxiety, increase focus and absolve physical and mental
stress. While we know that stress, fatigue or anxiety do not cause stuttering,
they can make blocks, repetitions and prolongations much worse in a person who
stutters.

Stuttering is a heterogeneous speech disability. Regular practice of yogasanas
can reduce the intensity and frequency of stuttering by simply alleviating the
physiological stress on the muscles involved in speaking. Moreover, mindfulness
is a natural part of most asanas, which offers peace of mind, confidence and
control of one’s brain functions necessary for the production of fluent speech.
While yoga might not be a magical cure for stuttering, it is indeed an
accessible option for those interested in gaining more control of their body and
mind, necessary to stutter with ease.

Why is it critical to take charge of one’s emotions before they can control
their stutter?
When stuttering and anxiety work as two elements of a feedback loop. A person
might be anxious because they anticipate stuttering, which might cause
tightening of the muscles in and around the vocal cord necessary to produce
speech. This can result in repetitions, blocks and prolongations that contribute
to more anxiety, which further worsens the stutter. It seems like a never-ending
vicious loop.

Well, it doesn’t have to be, if you can manage to control the physical strain or
reduce the level of resident anxiety. Yoga can give you a way to control your
negative emotions including anxiety, shame, and fear that stuttering almost
always brings along. Taking control of your emotions
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/channel-your-emotions-to-reduce-your-stutter] and getting rid of
the negativity can help people who stutter to move away from escape and
avoidance behaviours.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]Why should yoga be a part of speech therapy
for children and adults?
Yoga can be a fun and enriching experience for children who stutter. as modern
parents, we might seek out the best speech therapists and counsellors for our
children, but yoga has multiple benefits on the physiology and psychology of
growing children that modern science cannot deny.

Here’s how a child or even an adult can benefit from yoga as a part of speech
therapy –

 1. Yoga and learning – Each asana is named after a creature or element of
    nature like the downward dog or the tree pose. Children can have fun
    exploring new vocabulary and the make-believe that comes with assuming each
    pose named after an animal. Adults can learn new poses, their Sanskrit names
    and their benefits for each part of the body. Adults can complete yoga
    courses and get certifications that can help them expand their job and
    career options. Including yoga in speech therapy can be enriching and
    empowering for adults and children alike.
 2. Yoga and respiration – Controlling one’s breathing is crucial for managing
    one’s stutter. However, for children, breathing exercises can be quite
    boring and difficult to remember. Incorporating breathing exercises as a
    part of therapy in the form of pranayama is not only interesting but also
    quite easy to remember as each breathing technique in yoga has a name.
    Teaching conscious breathing to children and adults is much easier through
    yoga and pranayama. Simple techniques like Anuloma-Viloma, Bhramari and
    Kapalbhati can help a person gain control over their breathing and engage in
    coordinated movement of their facial and vocal muscles.
 3. Yoga and speech production – Yoga, pranayama and meditation involve fine
    motor planning via execution of breathing techniques and chanting. The
    execution of yoga sessions in predictable routines among a select group of
    people can create a familiar environment that encourages the learning of
    motor sequences among children and adults. Children and adults who have
    trouble with fine motor planning can find confidence from the repetition of
    the gross and fine motor routines, and choral speaking that occurs during
    pranayama and meditation chants. Therapists can include other chants and
    modify the sequence of exercises to encourage sound production among their
    clients.

How does yoga help those who stutter?
Research by Kauffman shows that yogasanas can induce the activation of the
parasympathetic nervous system and the suppression of the sympathetic nervous
system. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for lowering blood
pressure and cortisol levels in the body. Its activation releases
neurotransmitters that promote relaxation and naturally reduce the anxiety
response of the body. Lowered cortisol and adrenaline in the system allows the
person to relax physically and mentally.

Yoga not only consists of asanas but also breathing exercises (pranayama) and
meditation that can result in the activation of the parasympathetic nervous
system becoming dominant. In such conditions, the person can control their
feelings and execute their speech without letting stress, fatigue or anxiety get
in their way quite easily. Several studies on people who stutter note that
meditation, pranayama and asanas clinically reduce blood pressure and other
signs of stress. Regular practice of yoga imbibes confidence that definitely
contributes to smoother and effortless stuttering.

Can yoga cure stuttering?
There is currently no guaranteed cure for stuttering. Yoga can help a person
relax which is necessary to produce sound and speech. According to Ginsberg
(2000), stuttering involves complex physiological, emotional and anxiety
factors. A disorder as heterogeneous and complicated as stammering calls for a
wholesome treatment or therapy plan. Indeed the relationship between stuttering
and yoga isn’t direct or simple, but it is also true that yoga has several
potential positive effects on the lives of those who stutter.

Yoga for Stuttering: Can Yoga Aid Speech Therapy?

Stuttering is a chronic fluency disorder that affects more than 70 million
people worldwide. You may have this communication disorder, or you may know
someone who stutters. It is quite natural to worry about the future of an
individual who faces struggles when trying to say their own name. But, does that
mean the world should deny them the chance to prove their worth? Should
workplaces blatantly discriminate against people with stammering?

If you are someone who stutters, you already know how difficult it is to crack
a
job interview [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-and-job/]! You know how much effort it
takes to convince the employers that you are just as capable as your competitor
who happens to have no speech or communication disorder, if not more capable!

What jobs can people who stutter get?
So this one is for everyone who is about to interview someone or hire someone
who stutters.

It is almost impossible to go through life without coming across someone who
stutters. It is an incredibly common speech fluency disorder
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/what-is-stuttering/]. Men are 4 times more likely to stutter than
women. In many cases, people who stutter began dealing with the speech problem
early in their lives and still continue to do so. However, stuttering does not
indicate incompetence or lack of intellect.

Today, you can find people who stutter
[https://medium.com/@stamuraiapp/celebrities-who-overcame-stuttering-45c406967998] 
meeting the responsibilities of company CxOs, professors, researchers, teachers,
soldiers, doctors, nurses, air traffic controllers and customer service
associates. While hiring someone who stutters, you need to keep in mind that you
need to foster an inclusive workspace that can motivate them to be productive.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]What should you know about a potential
employee who stutters?
There is a good chance that you have either interviewed someone who stutters, or
you will soon interview a candidate who stammers. Before you do so, you must
know a few facts about stuttering and employment –

 1. People who stutter are not always anxious, shy or fearful. It is a gross
    misconception [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-misconceptions/]. The negative
    emotions may come from a less-than-friendly work environment. Those who
    stutter are complete individuals just like non-stutterers and they can
    experience a full range of emotions.
 2. Anxiety or fear is not the cause of stuttering. The causes of stuttering
    [__GHOST_URL__/causes-of-stuttering-in-adults/] may be genetic. Neurological
    anomalies in the brain can cause a person to stutter. However, these
    anomalies, in no way, compromise the person’s ability to meet their job
    necessities.
 3. Stuttering symptoms can vary between different people. Those who stutter can
    have “good” and “bad” days. On some days, they are likely to stutter more,
    on the others they significantly stutter less.
 4. Job interviews, phone calls and video conferences are some of the
    worst-feared situations for people who stutter. it is up to the employer to
    ensure that the person feels comfortable during a job interview, especially
    if it is a virtual one. If the person stutters excessively during the
    interview, you must not think that it’s indicative of how they will perform
    on the job.
 5. You may even come across someone who stutters with less severity but does
    not acknowledge himself or herself as someone who stutters. That typically
    happens due to the fear of discrimination, criticism or humiliation. It is
    not mandatory for someone with a speech disorder to disclose the fact.
    However, your office or team should be inclusive enough to feel him/her
    welcome.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]Why should you hire someone who stutters?
People who stutter develop particular skill sets that others generally don’t
have. Here are some qualities your potential employee who stutters might have –

 1. S/he may be a good listener – When people face trouble voicing their ideas
    and opinions, they begin to listen more. People who stutter often compensate
    for their lack of fluency with superior listening skills. An employee with
    good listening skills can be instrumental while noting important points
    during conferences and meetings. They are also more likely to understand
    client briefs and follow instructions correctly. They may even find it
    easier to deliver exactly what the client needs.
 2. He/she may be very observant – People who tend to quietly listen are often
    more observant and patient. Anyone, who has struggled for years with words,
    is likely to observe every small detail of an ongoing project. People who
    stutter often show higher levels of emotional intelligence since being at
    the receiving end of bullying [__GHOST_URL__/reining-in-the-bullies/] and
    criticism makes them wiser beyond their years. Hiring someone who stutters
    may be a great idea if your company deals with several important projects
    and demanding clients at the same time.
 3. They can improve team communication – People who stutter can change group
    dynamics for the better. Understanding someone who stutters requires more
    patience, more attention and better understanding. Having an employee who
    stutters can improve the communication of your team and the workplace in
    general. The other employees may even learn about new nuances of
    communicating and creating a workforce that’s more adaptable and versatile.

What should you NEVER tell a job candidate who stutters?
Instead of making assumptions about a person’s abilities, skills and
qualifications, you should have an honest discussion. In many cases, people who
stutter, have several skills and an adaptive attitude that others lack. They
typically develop these through years of trying to compensate for their
stuttering.

Here are a few points you must avoid while interviewing someone who stutters –

 1. Don’t ask them to relax or slow down – they have heard it too many times in
    their lives to count. Instead of providing them with valueless advice, you
    can work on your patience. If a candidate specifically mentions their speech
    impediment during the interview, you can simply thank them for the
    information and put them at ease.
 2. Don’t assume they will be bad at communications – if the job entails
    communication skills including phone use, messaging and emailing, ask the
    candidate about their experience and comfort level. You can always inquire
    how the candidate feels about handling daily communications as long as you
    come across as respectful.
 3. Don’t discriminate – do not deny someone a job simply because they stutter!
    Every company should make adjustments and allowances for people with
    impairments and stuttering is a speech disability, which does not cause any
    impairment in decision making or logical thinking.

It might be your first time interviewing a candidate who stutters, but if you
keep these few points in mind, the interview should proceed smoothly and
unbiasedly. Since stuttering is NOT a reflection of the person’s abilities and
intelligence, you should definitely give the new candidate a fair chance at the
interview.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]On the other hand, if you already have an
employee or coworker who stutters, you can find out the correct way to talk to
them
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/changing-the-perception-about-stuttering-5-tips-for-talking-to-someone-who-stutters/]
. Moreover, you can make them feel comfortable in an inclusive work environment.
Find out more about talking to someone who stutters with Stamurai
[https://stamurai.com/].

What employers should know about candidates who stutter

For years researchers have been trying to find the neurological cause of
stuttering. Experts have determined discrepancies in the neural circuits within
the brain that control the processing and production of speech. New research
[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335144283_Human_GNPTAB_stuttering_mutations_engineered_into_mice_cause_vocalization_deficits_and_astrocyte_pathology_in_the_corpus_callosum] 
from 2019 shows that loss of a particular type of cells – astrocytes from the
brain is associated with stammering.

Stammering or stuttering is a lifelong speech fluency disorder. It typically
begins in young children who have begun learning a language or two, at a rapid
rate.

Stuttering in children is quite common and more than 70% of them recover on
their own by the time they are 6 or 7 years old. However, 1 in 4 children
continues to stutter throughout their life.

Even two decades ago, the cause of stuttering in some children was a mystery.
The lack of evidence led several researchers to investigate neurological
differences between the brains of those who stutter and those who don't. Brain
imaging studies have been used for studying the differences in neural networks
for quite a few years now. However, brain imaging studies are not enough to
state if the difference in structures is the reason or result of stuttering.

What Are The First Genes Tied To Stuttering?
In 2010, researchers identified several mutations in the gene GNPTAB that seemed
to be hereditary. The research published in the New England Journal of Medicine
showed that the particular gene is responsible for the production of a protein
that plays a role in the breakdown and recycling of cellular components inside
the cell’s lysosome (think of it like a dump-yard filled with enzymes that can
dissolve or destroy the cell’s junk).

GNPTAB works with a group of genes including the GNPTG and NAGPA to complete a
signalling mechanism that guides the necessary enzymes to the lysosome of the
cells. These three genes share a close relationship. The team found mutations in
both GNPTG and NAGPA in people who stammer. Approximately 9% of those who
stutter have mutations in any one of the three genes.

Which Brain Cells Are Responsible For Stuttering In Children and Adults?
According to the earlier studies led by Dr Drayna and colleagues, multiple gene
mutations contribute to changes in the structure and function of the brain.
These changes lead to one's predisposition to stuttering. The 2019 study used a
mouse model with a mutation in the GNTAB gene.

According to the recent publication, Dr Drayna’s team at NIH NIDCD engineered a
mice population with targeted mutations in the aforementioned gene and their
observations found their way to the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences on 27 August 2019. This genetic approach has allowed researchers to
decode the neuropathy of stuttering at a molecular level via the identification
of the genetic mutations and at then at the cellular level by the identification
of the specific cell-types associated with stuttering.

Here are the sets of observations from the most recent study conducted by Dr
Drayna and his team –

 1. The researchers observed that the mice were normal in physiology and
    functioning. They were a healthy population, which further shows the
    viability of mouse models for studies such as these.
 2. The mice carrying the GNPTAB mutation vocalized with abnormally prolonged
    pauses. It is similar to the breaks and pauses those who stutter experience.
 3. The brain tissue from the mice carrying the mutated gene showed a
    significantly lower volume of astrocytes.

Note: What Are Astrocytes?
The astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells in the brain. They are also the most
abundant and astrocytes play a critical role in the transmission of impulses
inside the brain. Astrocytes are also critical support cells that provide the
neurons with necessary nutrients for functioning and vitality. They also help in
detoxification, guiding during migration and the regulation of metabolism. Thus
the loss of astrocytes from the brain can have a multifaceted impact on the
function of the brain.

What Role Do Astrocytes Play In Language Processing and Stuttering?
Dr Drayna’s team has shown that the loss of astrocytes is especially prominent
in the corpus callosum of the mice carrying the GNPTAB mutation. The researchers
used MRI to study the brain structure of the mice, which showed that the volume
of the corpus callosum was significantly lesser in the mutated mice as compared
to the control mice.

The corpus callosum is like a highway between the left and right hemispheres of
the brain. Over 200 million nerve fibres comprise the corpus callosum that
connects the two hemispheres. Apart from connecting the two sides, the main
functions of the corpus callosum include complex problem-solving and
coordination. It helps integrate signals that involve the right and left
hemispheres, such as, language production.

It is understandable why the loss of volume of the corpus callosum or the loss
of astrocytes that make up most of the corpus callosum may lead to stuttering
like vocalization defects in the experimental mice population.

The curious minds of the researchers did not stop at this – they went ahead and
conducted a set of follow-up experiments. They introduced the GNPTAB mutation
into specific brain cell types of mice, one at a time. The mutation in brain
cell types other than astrocytes did not correspond to similar vocalization
defects that the team observed in the case of mutated astrocytes. The extended
pause in vocalization.

How Many Mutated Genes Can A Person With Stutter Inherit?
Genes like GNPTAB and GNPTG have crucial roles to play in cell metabolism.
Dominant mutations in both genes in an individual can lead to a complicated
metabolic disease called mucolipidosis. Now, most people who stutter have only
one copy of the mutated gene. Inheriting both copies of the mutation is the only
way an individual can have mucolipidosis, which is a group of inherited
metabolic disorders.

Which is quite different from the genetic makeup of those who stutter. Since
they inherit only one defective copy of any one of the three genes – GNPTAB,
GNPTG and NAGPA, they are physiologically healthy and psychologically competent.
They don’t face metabolic challenges owing to mucolipidosis. The only
manifestation of the mutation is stuttering since the protein corresponding to
the mutated gene is still produced, but it’s not produced correctly.

Can Medication Make Up For Fewer Astrocytes and Reduce Stuttering?
Treatment with risperidone can increase the activity of the striatum and reduce
stuttering in adults. According to published research
[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210212145517.htm] by Dr. Gerald
A. Maguire and his team, risperidone may act by increasing the activity of the
star-shaped astrocytes in the brain’s striatum.

Risperidone is a common second-generation dopamine antagonist. For a long time,
researchers have associated stuttering with an increase of dopamine in the
brain. Risperidone works by blocking the dopamine receptors and preventing the
uptake of the excess neurotransmitter.

Risperidone is also one of the few drugs that doesn’t pose a high risk of
motor-system side effects like haloperidol.

Co-author SheikhBahaei states, “We don’t know exactly how risperidone interacts
with the astrocytes to increase their activity.” However the study
[https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.598949/full] clearly
proves that this compound boosts astrocyte activity in the Broca’s area and
striatum.

As part of the experiment, the researchers conducted a randomized double-blind
study with placebo control. 10 adults who stutter were part of this study. 5 of
them received risperidone and the other 5 received a placebo.

After 6 weeks of taking risperidone or placebo every day, the 10 participants
were assigned the task of reading aloud followed by a Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) scan. The researchers broke the blind after the PET scans were
complete.

Researchers also conducted PET scans of every participant before the medication
began. These scans revealed no significant difference in the activity of
specific regions of the brain involved in speech processing and production
between the participants.

PET scans of the two groups showed that those who received risperidone exhibited
higher glucose update in specific brain regions. Risperidone treatment may boost
the metabolism in the left striatum (putamen and caudate nucleus) and the
Broca’s area.

What’s The Future Of Stuttering Treatment?
This 2019 study by Dr Drayna et. al. is the first one that has identified the
specific genetic mutations that may be the potential cause of stammering in
children and in adults. 

While some lysosomal disorders are currently being treated via the injection of
the correctly manufactured enzyme into the individual’s blood. There might be
hope in the future for those who stutter to receive a similar treatment.

Several labs across the world, including that of Dr. SheikhBahaei are designing
and studying animal models to understand the different types of stuttering and
their causes. Understanding these complex circuits involved in speaking can shed
light on new treatment options with minimal side effects.

New compounds including second-generation dopamine blockers like risperidone may
open new possibilities of stuttering treatment by addressing the cellular causes
of stuttering.

Cellular Causes of Stuttering in Adults & Children

Up to 5% of preschoolers between the ages of 2 and 5 stutter. It is typically a
short phase for most children that they outgrow within about 6 months.

Experts say that children rapidly learn new words and syntaxes of a language at
this age. That may contribute to some disruptions that we also call disfluencies
or stuttering in preschool kids.

Many children shuttle back and forth between periods of fluency and disfluency
during this time.

Sometimes, these periods of disfluency are preceded by stress, anxiety, fear and
tedium. While at other times, they are unprovoked by external stimuli. That
makes it superbly worrisome for the parents.

If you have noticed disruptions in your child’s speech, you may have been
wondering if it’s due to their rapid language acquiring process, or if your
child is truly developing a stuttering [__GHOST_URL__/what-is-stuttering/] 
problem. And you are not wrong to be worried.

Is Your Preschool Kid Stuttering?
For most toddlers, the period of disfluency is transient. It goes away in less
than half-a-year!

If it has been less than 3 to 6 months, we suggest that you give your worries a
temporary rest and observe the type of disfluencies in your child’s speech.

You can still consult a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to rule out stuttering
and other long-lasting speech disfluencies.

Sometimes, disfluencies don’t disappear but become more prominent
[https://www.asha.org/stuttering/#signs] over the 6 month period. The signs of
stuttering in children become more obvious as the days go by.

That’s when you should consult an SLP to explore the potential stuttering
treatments for preschool kids.

Risk Factors for Stuttering in Preschool Kids
Is your child exposed to the risk factors that increase
[https://www.stutteringhelp.org/content/recognize-risk-factors-stuttering] the
chances of stuttering in preschool-aged kids?

Some factors can make a child more predisposed to stuttering than others.

Listed below are the most common risk factors for stuttering in preschool kids:

1. Family history: If one or both of the parents stutter, there’s a good chance
that the child will continue to stutter into their adulthood.

2. Gender: Boys are more likely [__GHOST_URL__/is-stuttering-gender-specific/] 
to stutter than girls.

However, if your girl child has been stuttering for over a year without any
signs of self-recovery, there’s a good chance she will have the speech
disfluency for life unless a professional speech therapist intervenes.

3. Other disorders: Stuttering has been associated with other disorders
including Autism Spectrum Disorder [__GHOST_URL__/speech-and-autism/], Attention
Deficit Disorders, learning disabilities and literacy disorders.

If your child has been diagnosed with any of the disorders mentioned here or
otherwise, you need to consider an appointment with a speech therapist.

Causes of Stuttering in Preschool Kids
Stuttering is a complex disorder. Experts often say that stuttering is not a
disease, but the symptom of neurological differences
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/cellular-causes-of-stuttering-in-adults-and-children/] in one’s
brain that affect their speech.

Since it’s a heterogeneous childhood speech fluency disorder, it has multiple
causes.

Here are some that most commonly contribute to stuttering in preschoolers –

1. Genetics and Family History

Do you or your significant other stutter?

If there’s a blood-relative of the child who stutters, there’s a good chance
your child’s speech disfluencies are just signs of stuttering.

Researchers have linked
[https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-genom-090810-183119]
several genes to stuttering, and research shows that some of these genes are
inheritable too.

Childhood is the best time to get your kid started on stuttering exercises for
children [__GHOST_URL__/five-stuttering-exercises-to-help-your-child/].

Typically, early professional intervention has faster and better outcomes in
terms of reduction in the frequency and intensity of stuttering.

Many children even recover within a year of professional speech therapy.

2. Speech and Language Acquisition

Between the ages of 2 and 5, a child is rapidly expanding his/her vocabulary and
acquiring new language skills.

Children with a neurological/genetic predisposition for stuttering often begin
showing speech disfluencies at this age due to the neurological anomalies that
keep their brains from rapidly and smoothly producing speech.

It becomes easy to understand if you think of the disfluencies as products of
bottlenecks or obstacles the child’s neural pathways face during language
processing and production.

3. Stress

Several cases show that stuttering in young children coincides with new stress
that they face.

For example, the birth of a sibling or changing homes and moving to a new
neighbourhood or beginning school.

Stress can work alone or in combination with other factors like speech and
language acquisition to precipitate stammering in children with a neurological
predisposition towards the speech disfluency.

4. Environment

The environment of a child plays a crucial part in the development of stuttering
in children with a predisposition towards stuttering.

Experts have noted that children who stutter often come from overly competitive
households.

Parents may be using big words or talking too fast while communicating with
their child.

Both stress and environment can cause stuttering in preschoolers, only if the
children have a neurophysiological tendency towards stuttering.

The same situations may not affect another child of the same age and health if
s/he doesn’t have the genetic and familial factors working against them.

How Can You Address Your Child’s Stuttering As a Parent?
Preschoolers typically have more relaxed and loose repetitions that
speech-language pathologists classify as borderline.

At this juncture, parents may have to decide whether the treatment for their
children should be direct or indirect.

For borderline stuttering, indirect treatment is recommended by speech
disfluency experts such as Dr Barry Guitar.

It involves changing the environment that may have been contributing to their
stuttering.

Changing the environment at home completely depends on the parents and immediate
caregivers of the child.

Tips for Helping A Stuttering Preschooler

Talk to a speech-language pathologist immediately.

The longer you delay the meeting the lower is the chances of your child’s
natural recovery.

1. Dedicate a Listening Time

All children want to be heard. They have hundreds of new ideas and imaginations
every day that they want to share.

Stuttering may make them slow, but you need to give them the chance to express
themselves.

Your child is important. What s/he has to say is important.

So there’s no harm in dedicating 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the
evening for one-on-one conversations or activities.

Be there for your child even if s/he isn’t feeling particularly talkative on
some days.

2. Slow Your Rate of Speech

As a family, you need to ensure that you are not overwhelming your child’s
speech processing and production by speaking too fast.

Choose smaller words and maintain a slower rate of speech. That can help your
child more than you can ever imagine.

Make sure your speech sounds relaxed and calm.

Include pauses in the speech at the correct places. Your child’s SPL will help
you modify your speech for your child’s benefit as a part of the indirect
stuttering therapy.

3. Include More Positive Comments

Don’t criticize your child every time he or she stutters. Be positive and instil
confidence in your child.

Praise him/her every time she finishes saying a feared word.

When the repetition or prolongation is particularly severe, politely ask them to
repeat themselves.

Include the practice of praising fluent speech in your listening time and during
daily interactions.

4. Ask Fewer Questions:

It’s important to build their confidence. If possible stick to only a few
questions, demands and instructions per day.

Don’t make them feel pressured while conversing.

Learning comes naturally for preschool-aged kids, so asking fewer questions and
giving them fewer directives won’t slow their learning process down.

They might learn better from the positivity you adopt and your daily listening
cum interactive sessions.

When children have been stuttering for less than a year, they already have a
chance to recover naturally.

Indirect therapy aims to reduce the stress at home, encourage talking freely,
and increase their fluency levels, without directly interfering with their
speech.

What Should You Never Forget about Stuttering in Preschoolers?
Stuttering in preschool kids is fairly common.

The first signs of repetitions, prolongations and blocks shouldn’t worry you if
your child is trying to use big words in their sentences and learning at a rapid
rate.

You should, however, consult a speech-language pathologist if the stuttering
persists beyond 6 months of onset.

Unlike stuttering in adults [__GHOST_URL__/causes-of-stuttering-in-adults/], it
is much easier to reduce stuttering in children between the ages of 2 to 5
years.

The earlier you choose to visit a speech therapist for your child, the better
are his/her chances in regaining speech fluency.

Stuttering in Preschool Kids: What a Parent Should Do

You may be here because you have a student in class who stutters, or you want to
know what you should do if you ever have a student with speech disfluencies.

Either way, it’s a commendable effort and we will try to help you with all the
information you will need to understand stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/what-is-stuttering/], the effects of stammering on a child and
how you can guide them.

What Sets a Stuttering Student apart from the Fluent Speakers?
Firstly, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of stuttering.

It is a childhood-onset speech fluency disorder.

Stuttering has several causes [__GHOST_URL__/what-is-stuttering/] including
genetics, family history and anomalies in the brain structure.

Stress and anxiety make it even more difficult for someone who stutters to
express themselves in front of people.

Children are especially vulnerable to changes in their environment, anxiety and
pressure.

Identifying Hidden Stuttering in a Student
Younger children may not be as affected by their stutter and join conversations
in class more easily.

As children grow, they become more aware
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-in-children-understanding-shame/] of their stammer and
may become more withdrawn.

Here are a few signs that your student may be trying to hide a stutter –

 1. You may have noticed that children who stutter tend to remain quieter than
    other children in your class.
 2. They tend to shy away from answering questions or participating in group
    tasks.
 3. They may even pretend to not know the answer just to avoid speaking.
 4. You may even find others mocking or bullying them for their speech
    disfluencies.

What Threatens Your Stuttering Student?
Everyday situations may threaten or unsettle children who stutter.

Such situations may seem benign to you and me, and anyone else who has never
stuttered before, but some of the instances we will discuss below can be jarring
for a child with speech disfluency –

 1. Asking for help from their classmates or the teacher
 2. Answering time-bound questions
 3. Reading out loud in front of the entire class
 4. Telling the cafeteria person what they want for lunch
 5. Oral reports
 6. Timed fluency tests
 7. Joining their classmates for playtime or group activities
 8. Volunteering for tasks

How to Help a Stuttering Student?
As the teacher, you have the responsibility to ensure that every child in your
class feels comfortable, confident and gets the right education.

It is also your duty to see that the child who stutters gets the chance to
participate in group activities and gains confidence from their in-class
interactions.

Not every school has an on-campus speech therapist. So, if you notice that the
child’s speech disfluency is causing them excessive distress and keeping them
from reaching their full potential as a student, you may consider talking to
their parents.

Encourage them to seek the counsel of a speech-language therapist in your area.
Early intervention can help children recover much faster than adults.

You can always follow this short guide to make your classroom more inclusive for
anyone with speech disfluencies –

Establish Rules For Speaking in Class
This should be true for any classroom with and without children who stutter.
There should be no interruptions while a child talks. If someone wants to share,
they can raise their hand and politely ask for permission to speak. There
shouldn’t be any signs of hurrying or annoyance among the listeners. Anyone with
something to say should be respected, and it is your responsibility to teach
that to your class.

Give Additional Time For Responses
Not every child has the same skills and talents. Some can finish arithmetic
problems in a jiffy, while others can sing like nightingales. Every child needs
the right environment to flourish. So, why shouldn’t the child with a stutter
get the same opportunity? Allow them extra time to finish answering a question.
Do not rush them.

Speak Softly and Unhurriedly
Children who stutter often have parents who have a fast pace of speech. You can
relieve some of the pressure they feel at home by adopting a slow and relaxed
pace while talking. Show them that they don’t need to hurry through their words.
They have all the time in the world to think, find the right words and express
themselves.

Always be Patient and Interested
Anyone who stutters suffers from the insecurity of sounding trite or driving
listeners away from them. It is important that you not only maintain eye contact
but also praise their ideas. If they finish saying a particularly long or
complex sentence or use a new word, show them your appreciation. It’s not how
they say it, but what they say that should genuinely interest you.

Refrain From Advising The Child Who Stutters
The child in question has already received hundreds of pieces of unwanted
advice. Don’t tell them to “slow down,” “breathe deeply,” or “start over.”
Chances are that the child already knows they sound different from the others.
There’s no point questioning their confidence and self-esteem as well. Instead,
be a good listener. If a particular sentence or part of a sentence is difficult
to understand, it is alright to politely ask them to go over it because you
couldn’t understand what he/she said.

Include Group Activities
Encourage class activities like reading aloud together (choral reading), and
reciting rhythmic poems that are in the syllabus. These are therapy techniques
that work marvelously well in treating stuttering. You can make them fun by
dividing the class into groups and getting them to recite different parts of a
poem or reading excerpts from stories in unison.

How to Prevent Bullying of A Stuttering Child at School?
Talk more about stuttering just like any other issue.

Don’t make it out to be something a person has to be ashamed of.

Discuss Stuttering In Class
If you notice others being mean to the child who stutters or simply ignoring
them, you should consider hosting a session on speech disfluencies.

Make it simple so the students can understand.

Deliver the message clearly.

Include stories of now-famous people who used to stutter and be sure to include
tips on why one shouldn’t bully someone who talks differently.

Preventing bullying [__GHOST_URL__/reining-in-the-bullies/] is a must.

The world needs to know more about stuttering instead of mocking people who
stutter. Starting with your class is a great idea!

Talk To Other Teachers as Well
Make sure you share your ideas of inclusion with the other educators in your
school.

The child should receive fair and equal treatment not only from you but also
from the other teachers.

If necessary, share what you have found out about stuttering and guides to
helping someone who stutters.

Talk To The Student Privately
If the student is particularly withdrawn and jittery about participating in
group tasks, you can give them some personal time to address their speech
problem. Ask them about any trouble they face inside and outside your class.
Sometimes, simply talking can help you find out if the student is feeling
bullied.

As their teacher, it’s your responsibility to keep an eye out for bullying in
the school. If you see someone mocking the child who stutters, instead of
admonishing them openly, you can ask the bullying child to make a presentation
or submit a report on stuttering.

It will both educate the child and teach them to show mutual respect to someone
who stutters.

Learn to be a good listener irrespective of the age of the person who stutters.
If the stuttering student is already seeing a speech-language pathologist, which
you can find out from their parents, learn about their progress, and explore
reasonable expectations from the child.

Supporting stuttering student is not that difficult when you have the right
information. You can find out more about the myths associated with stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-misconceptions/] and what not to say
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/changing-the-perception-about-stuttering-5-tips-for-talking-to-someone-who-stutters/] 
to someone who stutters before you head back to the classroom.

What Teachers Need to Know About a Stuttering Student

There are days when we don’t find the right words. Then there are days when the
words don’t come out of our mouths. Either way, our stuttering keeps us from
expressing how we feel, what we like, and so much more.

It is a common notion that people who stutter (PWS) are shy, introverted and we
speak less.

Do we speak less voluntarily? Are we quiet and withdrawn by choice? Or, is it
because we have been through so much struggle to say a simple word, faced
mockery and judgement from the listeners?

Why Do We Need An App To Stop Stuttering?
For those of us who stutter, the world may seem a little bleak on the
particularly bad days when we have to go out and meet people, attend phone calls
or place an order at a drive-through.

After trying experiences we feel like sharing, but that entails more talking!
And that’s something we tend to avoid.

Wouldn’t it be great if we had an app to stop stuttering?

Finding the right people is not only difficult, but speech therapy for
stuttering tends to be costly in every corner of the world.

Whether the speech-language pathologist (SLP) specializes in child speech
therapy or adult stuttering treatment, they charge a bomb per session.

Moreover, we have the tendency to stop practising after a couple of sessions
either because the exercises seem boring or due to the lack of motivation.

It often results in high rates of relapse
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/high-relapse-after-stuttering-speech-therapy-understanding-the-reason/] 
in adults.

Wouldn’t it be great if we had access to a personal therapist from the comforts
of our homes?

If you share my thoughts, then you will find this app to stop stuttering very
useful.

Stamurai [https://stamurai.com/] is the speech therapy app available for
download from both Google PlayStore and iTunes Store.

The app combines fluency shaping strategies with stuttering modification to
offer its users authentic and effective stuttering therapy online.

How Can An App To Stop Stuttering Help Our Stutter?
Not all apps are the same.

Stamurai is a smartphone app that offers the complete treatment plan necessary
for you to stutter less or stop stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/how-to-stop-stuttering/] altogether.

Here’s are the most unique features of the world’s most versatile stuttering app
–

1. A Guided Training Plan
You can use the app to customize the speech exercises and practice material for
daily practice.

You can practice for 15 minutes to as long as you like every day.

The app is improving and evolving daily.

As you keep using Stamurai, it adapts to your training patterns. That’s the
beauty of an AI-powered anti-stuttering solution.

2. Bespoke Tools for Users
You will find several state-of-the-art tools effective for the treatment of
stuttering including breathing exercises and meditations for relaxation.

The speech therapy app also includes Delayed Auditory Feedback
[https://www.stutteringhelp.org/delayed-auditory-feedback] (DAF) –  an altered
auditory feedback technique that increases the time-gap between the spoken words
and their auditory perception.

It is a proven technique that contributes towards enhanced fluency in PWS.

3. Access to Several Speech Therapy Techniques
If you have never received speech therapy, it is only fair that you will want
someone to guide you.

Stamurai solves this problem by providing you with multiple instructional videos
that will help you master the speech exercises.

4. Daily Multiple Group Video Calls
You can download the app and find the section for scheduled group video calls
[https://stamurai.com/sessions] right in the “Today” section of the app.

Select any of the scheduled group video calls to browse the different timings
for the same.

Register for a slot and you will receive the link to join the call on Google
Meet 10 minutes before the call begins.

Each call is moderated by a trained professional, who knows how to facilitate a
safe environment for every participant to practise impromptu speaking, reading
and interactions.

You can also choose to just observe.

You can inform the moderator that you want to participate but not speak
anything. You can attend as many calls as you wish per week.

5. Receive Stats and Assessment Reports
You can receive scientific assessments on your progress and performance.

The data-based insights are effective in keeping the motivation up.

In traditional speech therapy setups, you have to rely on the therapist for
feedback and progress reports.

However, while you use Stamurai, you can access your progress statistics based
on how you have performed each day during your speech exercises while using
freestyle tools and as per your daily progress.

A speech therapy app [https://stamurai.com/therapy-protocol] like Stamurai is
especially necessary for people who have been stuttering for quite a few years
without seeing any remarkable progress from attending speech therapy sessions.

Before using any stuttering therapy app, you should always check the reviews of
the same.

Reviews and ratings make a product trustworthy, much like the Stamurai speech
therapy app reviews which detail how each feature and section has helped
long-term users find fluency and ease in stuttering.

Why’s Stamurai More Than Just another App to Stop Stuttering?
Apps like Stamurai are not just tools for therapy; they also foster dedicated
communities consisting of PWS, experts on stuttering, moderators, and speech
therapists.

If you have been trying to get in touch with a therapist, you can find one in
the community or write to Stamurai about your struggles.

It provides the wholesome speech therapy experience without the exuberant cost
of traditional speech therapy from speech-language pathologists.

Stamurai Goes the Extra Mile To Ensure You Practice Daily
1. Regular Updates and Notifications
When I began using Stamurai, I initially thought that it would be like any other
therapy experience I had had before. I would use it for two days or maybe five,
then forget all about it.

However, that is impossible with the dedicated effort Stamurai puts in to remind
you to continue your practice.

You will not only receive notifications from the team every day, but you will
get to see your progress in the Plan, Learn, and Freestyle sections of the app
in real-time.

2. Email Updates
Stamurai cares! The team sends out email messages to the users who have strayed
away from practice or given up using the app for too long.

The only way to reclaim control over one’s speech is with the daily practice of
speech exercises and the team understands that very well.

The app tracks everyone’s rate of use, progress, and duration of exercising.

So, don’t at all be surprised if you receive an email from the team asking if
you are doing alright, or if the app needs to alter something to make you feel
more comfortable with your daily sessions.

3. Awards and More
On group calls with 3 or more participants, the best speaker gets an award via
anonymous voting!

It is one of the most motivating attributes I have come across in stuttering
therapy.

Traditional stuttering therapy cannot include the awards or rewards aspect for
multiple reasons, but that doesn’t stop Stamurai from making your day or week
with one after your group call session!

4. Keeping Things Real
Stamurai keeps things real.

The app stresses on the fact that adulthood stuttering is difficult to “cure.”

That’s the primary reason this app teaches stuttering modification techniques to
all users.

The stuttering modification will enable you to face your feared-words and
trying-situations.

It will teach you how to control your speech fears and avoidance behaviours.
Stamurai’s technique will also teach you how to stutter more easily by reducing
physical tension.

These techniques include Preparatory Sets, Cancellations, Light Contacts and
Pull Outs.

Yes, We Need an App to Stop Stuttering just like Stamurai
There’s no perfect cure for stuttering.

Can you overcome stuttering 100%? No. But, you can always learn how to manage
your stuttering or stop stuttering as much as you do.

With Stamurai, you can become more fluent or stutter with ease with daily speech
exercises.

Technology-based methods like DAF can reduce your stuttering.

You can practice light contact, pull-outs, and choral reading to make yourself
at ease while pronouncing your feared words.

You can step out of your comfort zone with group calls in a safe environment.

Stuttering is a speech-disorder that not only affects how we speak, but also how
we think, and what decisions we take.

Stammering affects our life more than we would like it to.

However, we must not let it define who we are.

Stuttering will continue to be a part of our lives, but now we have access to at
least one app to stop stuttering, or rather, become more fluent at it!

You can download Stamurai, the stuttering therapy app for your android phone
[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stamurai.stamurai&hl=en] or 
iPhone
[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stamurai-stuttering-treatment/id1488071175] right
away.

How Can Stamurai – an App to Stop Stuttering - Help You?

Hearing Dr. Gerald Maguire talk [https://stuttertalk.com/tag/gerald-maguire/],
it’s almost impossible to guess that he has stuttered since childhood.
Currently, he is one of the leading experts on the medical treatment of
stuttering in the world.

Dr. Maguire is a Professor and Chair of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the US
Riverside School of Medicine. Along with conducting research on the medical
treatment of stuttering [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-medicine/] for over two
decades, he has been treating his own stutter with common and not-so-common
antipsychotics.

Psychiatrists may prescribe antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of psychosis,
bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Some of the antipsychotics that have a
positive impact on stuttering include second-generation antipsychotics
risperidone, asenapine, and olanzapine.

Many of these compounds are not yet approved for the official treatment of
stuttering.

More than 70 million people stutter worldwide. It includes around 1% of the
adults. Several children show tendencies of speech dysfluency while growing up.
While many children outgrow stuttering by the time they are around 6 or 7 years
old, there are exceptions.

These exceptions include US presidential candidate Joe Biden
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/joe-biden-stuttering-journey-and-struggles/], actors James Earl
Jones & Emily Blunt, and singer & songwriter Ed Sheeran.

Could Stuttering Be Entirely Neurological?
It is a popular belief that anxiety and fear cause stuttering
[https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/jshd.5502.290]. The use of antipsychotics
for the medical treatment of speech dysfluencies begs the question – is
stuttering psychological or biological?

Early research [https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/jshd.0702.97] has
mistakenly attributed stuttering to anomalies in the vocal cords and voice box,
emotional trauma, anxiety, and even bad parenting! According to J. Scott Yaruss,
some researchers and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have always suspected
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/what-is-stuttering/] neurological problems to be the underlying
cause of stuttering.

Yaruss, a leading SLP at Michigan State University states that the first proof
that could back up the hunch of their team came from a report
[https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/590851] of
altered blood flow in the brains of people who stuttered.

Thanks to advancements in diagnostics, neuroscientists have observed minute but
important differences in the brain structure and function of those who stutter.

Why Is It Wrong to Attribute Stuttering to Genetics Only?
According to the Stuttering Foundation of America has stated
[https://www.stutteringhelp.org/faq] that there is no “reason to believe that
stuttering is caused by emotional trauma”.

The National Stuttering Association has stated
[https://westutter.org/causes-of-stuttering/] that stuttering is “not caused by
emotional problems or ‘nervous disorders’. Stuttering is not a result of faulty
upbringing.”

Scientific evidence and publications by reputed organizations like the ones
mentioned above suggest that stuttering is an inherited condition
[https://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589935336&section=Causes] 
with little dependence on emotional state.

According to Peter Wolson, a training, and supervising psychoanalyst,
psychoanalytic psychotherapy may be an option for the treatment of stuttering in
individuals whose speech disfluencies stem from internal conflicts due to
disturbances in their families and relationships.

Focusing exclusively on the biological causes of stuttering rules out the
importance of the emotional trauma or internal conflicts of the person who
stutters. Put simply, calling it entirely biological can be misleading.

Can Psychotherapy Impact the Intensity and Frequency of Stuttering?
In many interviews, David Siedler, the writer-producer of The King’s Speech
speculated that in his real-life Bertie (King George VI) benefited from Lionel
Logue’s “talking cure”.

Siedler, who also stutters
[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-dec-09-la-en-seidler-20101209-story.html]
, has an uncle who received speech therapy from Logue. According to his uncle, a
large part of Logue’s therapy included encouraging the client to talk about
their family, friends, and others who may have had a strong impact on their
life.

Seidler has concluded multiple times that Logue must have used Freudian
psychoanalysis on Bertie and his uncle. Although his uncle did call the
psychoanalytic method “utter rubbish”, by the end of his therapy he didn’t
stutter anymore.

Decades later, Jack Welch, CEO of General Electric confided
[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1106/11/pmt.01.html] in talk show host
Piers Morgan that he stutters. Although he didn’t have someone like Logue to
listen to him, his mother imbibed confidence and courage in him from a young
age.

His mother reinforced his confidence by stating that his brain worked faster
than his ability to express his thoughts and ideas.

Jack’s mother was instrumental in developing his belief
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/should-you-accept-your-stuttering-yes-absolutely/] that whatever
he wanted to say was worth saying.

Is It Possible for Stuttering to have Psychological as well as Physiological
bases?
As Luc F. De Nil, an associate professor and chair of the graduate department of
speech-language pathology at the University of Toronto precisely put it
[https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-causes-stuttering/] –
stuttering has biological as well as psychological etiologies.

Children who develop stuttering have a predisposition to the speech dysfluency.

Other factors such as environmental stress, emotional trauma, listeners’
reactions, and anticipatory anxiety play crucial roles in the maintenance of
stuttering.

Over the years, researchers have gathered several facts about how stuttering
develops [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5831617/], which
highlight its physiological as well as psychological nature.

 1. 4 males for every 1 female stutter
    [__GHOST_URL__/is-stuttering-gender-specific/].
 2. The male predominance is similar to several genetic (biological) disorders
    including Tourette’s syndrome
    [__GHOST_URL__/tourette-syndrome-and-stuttering/], and Down Syndrome.
 3. 1% of the world’s population stutters.
 4. Acquired stuttering highlights the importance of neural systems
    [__GHOST_URL__/the-unexpected-development-of-stuttering-in-adulthood/] in
    speech fluency.
 5. Several psychoactive compounds such as Ecopipam
    [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190828140048.htm] can treat
    stuttering in children and adults.
 6. Psychoanalytic therapy is effective in treating stuttering in both adults
    and children.

What Does Current Genetic Evidence Suggest About the Nature of Stuttering?
In 2001, Dennis Drayna received a strange and interesting email that stated

“I am from Cameroon. My father is a chief. He has had three wives. I have 21
siblings and half-siblings, almost all of us stutter. Could there be something
in the family?”

At that time, he was unprepared to make a journey to West Africa based on an
email. So Drayna, now a world-renowned geneticist, shared the email with Francis
Collins (Director of the National Institute of Health).

Collins encouraged him to travel to West Africa and later to Pakistan.

In Pakistan, marriage between cousins allows recessive genes to be expressed and
the extensive studying of linkage.

Drayna’s dedicated research and data collection finally led to the discovery of
the mutations
[https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-genom-090810-183119] in 4
genes – GNPTAB, GNPTG, and NAGPA from Pakistan and AP4E1 from Cameroon in those
who stutter.

However, none of the genes that Drayna and his team discovered have a direct
connection to speech production or processing. These are genes that encode
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5370225/] lysosomal protein and
function in the brain.

An NIH study published in 2019 was finally able to determine the difference
between the brains of those who stutter and those who don’t. In the mice model,
the ones that produce stuttering-like gaps and pauses have fewer astrocytes
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/cellular-causes-of-stuttering-in-adults-and-children/] in their
corpus callosum.

It would be Myopic to Deem Stuttering as Entirely Biological in Nature
It is still unclear if these 4 genes only play a role in controlling lysosomal
functions. Many genes in our bodies have more than one function. Moreover,
scientists are sure that there are more stuttering-related genes
[https://www.stutteringhelp.org/genetics-stuttering-new-developments], yet to be
discovered.

Therefore, calling stuttering purely biological could be short-sighted and
limiting. King George VI discovered that his stuttering had roots in the neglect
and oppression he faced from his father during his formative years. Thousands
are waiting for their Lionel Logue to explore the emotional or psychological
stress at home or school that precipitated their stutter.

It takes a combination of environment, emotions, and genetics to set off
stuttering. Just like one cannot deny the biological bases of stuttering, one
should not deny its psychological etiology as well.

Stuttering: Is It Biological or Psychological?

None of us think along the same lines, walk or move similarly. How can we expect
everyone to talk in the same way?

Every child goes through a period of normal disfluency. More than 8% of children
will experience stuttering or stammering.

Speech disfluency is usual between the ages of 2 and 5 years.

Is It Normal For School-Aged Children To Stutter?
Stuttering in children between the ages of 2 and 5 years may begin all of a
sudden.

According to speech-language pathologists (SLPs) like Charles van Riper and
Barry Guitar, the period when children begin stuttering coincides with their
rapid language learning phase.

During this period children learn
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3738062/] new words and begin to
use bigger words to express themselves.



Around 75% of children who stutter at this age will recover
[https://www.stutteringhelp.org/prevalence] and speak fluently. Many will
recover without therapy.

However, there are times when a child may require speech therapy to regain
fluency or find the confidence to speak with reduced frequency and intensity of
stuttering.

When Should You Seek Help A School-Aged Stuttering Kid?
How can you tell when it’s time to take your child to a speech therapist or a
speech-language pathologist?

The symptoms of stuttering [__GHOST_URL__/what-is-stuttering/] vary across
children. If your child is still stuttering after 5-years of age or their
symptoms are getting worse, you should consider talking to a SLP or speech
therapist.

You should consult a specialist if your child –

 1. Tries to avoid talking in social situations
 2. Repeats whole words and/or phrases frequently
 3. Repeats syllables and sounds frequently
 4. Begins a word but changes it in the anticipation of stuttering
 5. Shows facial and/or body movements in an effort to speak
 6. Has sounds that show strain
 7. Has vocal tension and a rise in pitch/loudness while speaking

Every child’s stuttering behavior is different.

If your child is showing one or more of these signs it may be time to consult a
SLP.

What Does Speech Therapy For School-Aged Children Cover?
When children approach school-age, speech disfluency becomes more complicated as
they begin to experience anxiety
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/channel-your-emotions-to-reduce-your-stutter/], shame
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-in-children-understanding-shame/], and the fear
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/overcome-stuttering-fear-and-insecurity/] of speaking.

The person may develop secondary behaviors to hide stuttering.

Therapy-based stuttering treatment [__GHOST_URL__/treatment-for-stuttering/] for
school-aged children, including adolescents, encompasses several goals such as

 1. Attempting to accept stuttering
 2. Reducing avoidance behaviors
 3. Reducing secondary behaviors
 4. Increasing fluency
 5. Enhancing communication skills
 6. Managing bullying
 7. Improving self-confidence
 8. Minimizing the effects of stuttering on the kid’s life.

According to a study
[https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/0161-1461%282012/11-0044%29] by Yaruss et
al, as the child experiences more difficulty in communicating, s/he may
experience shame and an aversion towards communication.

Apart from teaching fluency techniques, clinicians need to focus on 
desensitization
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094730X07000162]
techniques that will help reduce bullying.

SLPs also need to educate the child’s parents and peers about stuttering and the
effects it has on the individual.

What Can A Stuttering Kid Gain From Speech Therapy?
For the older school-aged children, the results of speech therapy will vary.
Some will become fluent after weeks or months of therapy.

Other children might find the confidence to stutter while talking.

Here’s what a parent or the CWS can expect from therapy –

1. Making Changes in Speech
The speech therapist will teach a few techniques, such as pull out,
diaphragmatic breathing, easy onsets, sing-to-start
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-and-singing-what-we-understand/], and light
articulatory contact.

These techniques will help children stammer with less tension. CWS can learn to
speak in a relaxed way.

2. Understanding Stuttering
A child will gain an understanding of speaking and stuttering. Gain a better
knowledge of how vocal cords and articulators work.

Children may be able to put the new techniques to work when they anticipate a
stutter.

3. Reduce Avoidance Behavior
Children are more afraid of the reaction of the listeners than their stutter.

Your child will receive complete guidance and encouragement while trying their
feared words. They may get to explore new situations.

Overall, CWS can benefit massively from speech therapy by reducing their 
avoidance behavior
[https://www.stuttering.co.nz/news/avoidance-reduction-therapy/].

4. Acquire Good Communication Skills
Good communication skills are indispensable in every walk of life.

Your child will learn that communication
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12207276/] doesn’t depend on fluency.

An experienced speech therapist should be able to explain how listening, taking
turns to speak, and holding eye-contact can contribute to communication skills.

A CWS will benefit from learning how to take control of a conversation.

5. Taking About the Emotions of Stuttering
Stuttering is not just about speech disfluency. It often attracts bullying,
condescension, discrimination, and derogatory remarks.

School-aged children are highly impressionable and vulnerable. They should have
someone to talk to about their emotions regarding stuttering.

A therapist, with the help of a cognitive-behavioral therapist (CBT), can help
them navigate their emotions
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/channel-your-emotions-to-reduce-your-stutter/].

Unhelpful thoughts and negative attitudes
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-and-lasting-emotional-effects/] are almost
unavoidable. However, a therapist can guide a CWS to cope and be optimistic
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/should-you-accept-your-stuttering-yes-absolutely/].

How Can Parents Help Children Who Stutter?
You, as a parent [https://westutter.org/faq-items/what-is-my-role-as-a-parent/],
play a critical role in stuttering therapy for your child.

You can try the following steps to ease your child’s speaking.

They can become more confident and relaxed in their speech once you begin
imposing these changes –

 1.  Avoid correcting them. Don’t criticize CWS when they stutter.
 2.  Don’t ask your child to “slow down” or “breathe” while they are struggling
     to speak.
 3.  Speak slowly and clearly.
 4.  Ask fewer questions.
 5.  Hold regular and informal family conversations, such as over dinner.
 6.  Don’t ask your child to articulate at all times.
 7.  Make talking fun and not a chore.
 8.  Maintain eye contact while addressing your child.
 9.  Maintain a calm atmosphere at home.
 10. Let your child speak for themselves. Don’t finish their sentences, even
     when they are conversing with someone else.

Learn more
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/changing-the-perception-about-stuttering-5-tips-for-talking-to-someone-who-stutters/] 
about stuttering. Inspire your child by providing them examples of successful
people who stutter in real life.

How Can Parents Make Speech Therapy More Successful for Stuttering Kids?
You can make a great deal of difference in how your child perceives stuttering.
Almost every experienced speech therapist involves the parents of CWS.

Changes in how the entire family communicates can help the child with their
fluency. The therapist may even assign “homework” to each member of the family.

The parents should help their CWS during this “homework.”

It is typically in the form of including techniques in informal communication.
It can be in the form of games.

Your child’s therapist may also contact their school with permission. They can
speak with the teachers to ensure that your child gets the necessary support in
class [__GHOST_URL__/teachers-guide-to-helping-stuttering-student/].

Therapy doesn’t promise to cure stuttering for school-aged kids. Some children
do gain fluent speech that they retain for the majority of their life. However,
stuttering therapy aims to give the child confidence to communicate in their
unique way. Therapy also aims to eliminate the shame that often comes with
stuttering in school-aged children.

A Guide to Stuttering Therapy for School-Aged Children

A person who stutters can’t be efficient in communication. People who stutter
(PWS) are nervous and need to relax. PWS cannot be great speakers.

We have heard so many infuriating comments ever since Biden’s “gaffes” went
viral.

We have also received so much unsolicited stuttering advice from people with no
experience of stuttering [__GHOST_URL__/what-is-stuttering] or speech-language
pathology that it prompted us to create a do’s and don’ts list.

It has stuttering guidance for PWS, like us, who needs a boost of confidence
right now.

You Stutter: So What Should You Do?
1. Take Your Time
When we anticipate [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728710/] a
stutter, we often try to rush through what we have to say. We try to complete a
whole sentence before we run out of breath.

Sadly, that doesn’t prevent repetitions, prolongations, or blocks. We put
pressure on ourselves by setting a time limit on our speech.

Instead of rushing yourself, you could try to find a rhythm while talking.
Sticking to a rhythm, speaking at a slow pace, and not putting pressure on
yourself to finish a sentence in one breath will help you stutter less.

2. Use Frequent Pauses
Have you ever felt your stomach in knots? Because it’s not a question of if but
when you are going to stutter.

That’s the anticipation of stuttering getting the better of you.

Several times a day, while speaking, we work ourselves up because we are afraid
that we might stutter.

While it’s completely alright to stutter, we must remember to take a breather,
literally.

Back in 2006, several researchers including Reitzes et al discussed
[https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad12/papers/therapy12/reitzes12.html] pausing as
a ‘rate control strategy’ while speaking.

Pausing can prepare you for an easy initiation.

Right when you anticipate a stutter, you can pause briefly, take a normal
breath, and prepare to stutter differently.

Yes, it’s not avoiding a stutter. Or overcoming it. A short pause can give you a
way to stutter differently.

3. Try Deep (Diaphragmatic) Breathing Techniques
The Starfish Project and McGuire Program both use diaphragmatic or costal
breathing. It’s a physical speaking strategy
[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26459492_Regulated_Breathing_as_a_Treatment_for_Stuttering_A_Review_of_the_Empirical_Evidence] 
that can help manage stuttering.

Normal or tidal breathing is an involuntary activity. ‘Costal breathing
[https://stuttertalk.com/tag/costal-breathing/]’ is breathing deeply.

You fill your lungs with air and empty your lungs before speaking.

When your lungs are full, the pressure on your vocal folds increases. That makes
it more difficult to talk fluently.

You can try a simple experiment at home.

Try breathing in different volumes of air and try to begin talking with the
different volumes in your lungs.

You will notice that talking with the maximum volume of air in your lungs is
most difficult.

When the lungs contain between 30% and 60% of air (vital capacity), it’s much
easier to begin speaking.

4. Notice The Listener’s Eye Color (Maintain Eye Contact)
Maintaining eye contact is not going to stop stutters. However, it will give you
the confidence to express yourself despite your stutters.

Making direct eye-contact
[https://www.stutteringhelp.org/maintaining-eye-contact] will help you overcome
any shyness or feeling of self-doubt
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/overcome-stuttering-fear-and-insecurity/] you have while talking.

Practice it for a couple of weeks. You will see that making and maintaining eye
contact has become a natural habit while holding a conversation.

Noticing someone’s eye color is a quick-trick that will initially help you
establish eye contact.

Try not to look away when you are stuttering or anticipating a stutter.

We break eye contact or look away during particularly stubborn blocks or
prolongations because we feel embarrassed about how we might sound or look to
our audience.

Well, you will be surprised to see how many people can look beyond how you
sound, and care about what you have to say.

Just go ahead and try to establish eye contact while talking the next time.

5. Challenge Yourself to Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone A Little Every Day
When you have practiced costal breathing, strategic pausing, and maintaining eye
contact for at least a month, it’s time to move to the next step – talking to
strangers.

Yes, we do not like approaching or talking to people we don’t know.

We’d rather carry a list of items we need from the grocer and pay by card than
ask or answer questions.

We’d rather wait for someone else to open the door than greet a visitor.

Phone calls make us break out in cold sweat and we wonder who doesn’t use
texting in 2020!

That’s because we love the comfort bubble we have created for ourselves.

Make a list of tasks to challenge yourself
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/overcome-stuttering-fear-and-insecurity/], such as –

 1. Starting the conversation with 100 new people randomly (asking the time or
    talking about the weather, and introducing yourself as someone who stutters)
    on the streets or at the mall.
 2. Answer every time the phone rings. Tell the caller that you stutter and ask
    them to be patient with you.
 3. Going to shop at the local bodega or grocery store. Chatting up the grocer
    or cashier after disclosing your stutter and your goal of the week.

You will again be surprised to see how many people will remain empathetic and
patient throughout your speech.

An account by Lon L. Emerick says
[https://www.stutteringhelp.org/sites/default/files/Migrate/book0009_may2010.pdf] 
that an exchange student almost got rid of her stutter after confronting almost
950 listeners in a week.

She was visibly tired and her voice was hoarse, but her stutter was almost gone!

6. Smile and Look Relaxed
Anxiety is contagious.

When you look tensed while talking, you risk making your listeners uncomfortable
and tense as well.

You need to ensure that you look relaxed irrespective of the anxiety you are
feeling. Although we don’t recommend it in every aspect, this is one place where
we tell our readers to “fake it till you make it.”

Smiling more and looking relaxed will soon dissipate your anxiety little by
little.

In a couple of weeks, you will feel genuinely relaxed. You will smile almost
effortlessly while holding a face-to-face conversation.

7. Try Mindfulness and Yoga
Heather Kauffman [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0031512516628987] 
says that yoga can modulate the autonomic nervous system activities.

Yoga or mindfulness won’t cure stuttering or reduce it directly. It will reduce
anxiety [__GHOST_URL__/yoga-and-stuttering/] and stress, which increases the
frequency and intensity of stuttering.

Paul Brocklehurst [http://www.stammeringresearch.org/PaulBrocklehurst_webCV.pdf]
, the Director of the Stammering Self-Empowerment Programme, England, first
tried meditation when he was 21. Mindfulness meditation seemed easy to him
because it didn’t require him to speak!

It turned his life around. Mindfulness meditation allowed him to be more fluent.
He went back to school and got a degree in Speech therapy and a Ph.D. in
Psycholinguistics.

A study [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23218212/] from 2012 shows that
meditation reduced the frequency of stuttering of the participants. It also
reduced the impact of stuttering on a person’s life.

By keeping aside 20-minutes a day for mindfulness meditation or yoga, you too
can make a difference in your life. Change the way YOU perceive your stutter.
Only then you will be able to change the way you stutter.

8. Join Speech Therapy If Your Stuttering Is Severe
Speech therapy [__GHOST_URL__/treatment-for-stuttering/] is an option for anyone
whose stuttering is severe and it causes them to avoid certain situations.

Therapy can decrease avoidance behavior and increase self-confidence.

Stuttering therapy can be costly, irrespective of where you live. And it can be
difficult to access during these trying times.

Nonetheless, therapy can help you find comfort in the way you speak. The goal if
speech therapy isn’t always curing someone’s stutter.

In most cases, an experienced speech-language pathologist (SLP) or speech
therapist will help you stutter confidently or find a new way to stutter.

You can find a list of certified and experienced speech-language pathologists in
your area by running a search on Google. Verify the credentials of any
therapist/SLP you choose with registered stuttering foundations or associations
in your area.

9. Work With DAF Apps
When you are working with your SLP, you can talk about new technologies that can
help your fluency.

Now, you can use your mobile phone to download and try Delayed Auditory Feedback
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2231594/] (DAF).

It’s a technique that introduces a delay between speaking and auditory
perception.

DAF allows anyone who stutters to speak normally by allowing them to hear their
own voice a fraction of a second later. Not everyone experiences the same levels
of fluency.

The effects of DAF can be temporary, but it has an immediate positive effect on
the fluency of PWS without any impact on the naturalness of their speech.

10. Use Speech Therapy Apps
Many people either avoid going to speech therapy or discontinue after a few
initial sessions because SLPs can be expensive. It is one of the leading reasons
of high relapse rates
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/high-relapse-after-stuttering-speech-therapy-understanding-the-reason/] 
among adults who stutter.

You can seek help from highly-rated speech therapy apps like Stamurai to
complement your speech therapy. Or, you can begin your therapeutic journey with
Stamurai’s speech exercises and fluency tools.

Using a speech therapy app [__GHOST_URL__/stamurai-app-to-stop-stuttering/] 
regularly, whether alongside therapy or on its own, can help you find your
rhythm and voice.

The state-of-the-art apps may use a combination of machine learning and AI to
suggest new exercises apt for you. You can check your weekly and monthly
progress.

Stamurai [https://stamurai.com/] currently uses a guided training plan
customized for each user.

The therapy protocol [https://stamurai.com/therapy-protocol] includes fluency
shaping strategies and stuttering modification techniques.

11. Join Stuttering Support Groups
You are not alone!

Several nationally and internationally acclaimed stuttering associations have
local chapters. Many of them have stuttering support groups.

The NSA (National Stuttering Association) in the United States, for instance,
has over 200 local chapters [https://westutter.org/other-programs/] for
children, teens, and adults.

You can find independent, private, and open support groups online. You can
search for communities for PWS and similar forums in your region or country.

Here at Stamurai, we have a dedicated Stuttering support Group
[https://stamurai.com/sessions] for all users. PWS can join in on the scheduled 
group video calls [https://stamurai.com/sessions]. Each call is moderated and
participants from across the world can join in.

What Should You Absolutely NOT do?
1. Worry about What Others Might Think
Life hasn’t been easy on us since we stammer. We have heard jibes, mean
comments, mockery, and even faced bullying
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/reining-in-the-bullies/].

However, people are now becoming more aware of stuttering as a speech fluency
disorder.

Today, there are more empathetic listeners than you can imagine.

We are not mind readers.

So, it’s only logical to give our listeners a chance even though we are afraid
of impatience, and disrespect.

2. Hide Your Stammer
Whenever you need to talk to a new audience, let them know you stutter and that
you are working on your speech.

Saying it upfront without making an effort to hide your stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-and-lasting-emotional-effects/] can work wonders.

Politely request your listeners to be patient while you speak your mind.

Trying to hide your stutter will put undue pressure on you. It will increase
your tendency to circumvent feared words and find replacements.

Anticipation can make upcoming blocks, repetitions, and prolongations much
worse.

Disclosing your stutter, in the beginning, can feel like taking a weight off
your shoulders. Do that and see how effortlessly you can stutter through what
you have to say.

3. Speak Until You Are Ready To Speak
Costal breathing and pausing exercises will help you with your fluency. However,
we have all experienced days when our stuttering is much worse.

On such days, if you want to keep to yourself and avoid group activities, it’s
alright.

Fellow PWS and fluent speakers will understand your predicament. On such days,
talking to your SLP or texting a friend about how you feel can help you.

4. Take Advice from People Who Aren’t Experts on Speech Fluency 
“Slow down,” “take a deep breath,” “you are probably just tired” and “you need a
good night’s sleep” are “advice” we have all received one time or another.

It has often made us think about how many of these advisors have dealt with
stuttering. Or, how many have the qualification to dish out tips to those who
stutter.

Many of these people don’t mean to condescend or criticize.

However, they don’t realize that these words do more harm than good
[https://isad.isastutter.org/isad-2018/papers-presented-by/stories-and-experiences-with-stuttering-by-pws/stuttersplaining-nina-g/]
.

It’s almost impossible to explain that to our listeners who don’t stutter.

So, the only way to deal with such advice is to say “thank you” with as much
stuttering as possible accompanied by a broad grin!

Let’s Stutter Together, With Confidence and Pride
We hope that these do’s and don’ts help you in your journey.

We don’t believe stuttering to be a limitation. It’s simply a different way of
talking.

So, if you stutter, do so with your head held up high. Remember to make eye
contact and introduce yourself with a bright smile. Don’t hide your stutter.

You will find more friends than you have ever hoped for once you embrace your
stutter and find your confidence.

Keep at the exercises, learn controlled breathing, try DAF with the help of your
SLP, and use the Stamurai app to assist your fluency.

The Do's and Dont's Of Stuttering

I have been stuttering for as long as I can remember. For years, I thought that
meant living a life of loneliness because no one would understand my struggles.

During school, I had the best bunch of friends. They helped me out in
particularly “sticky” situations, which sometimes involved boys.

Decades ago, I realized that I was speaking my own tongue. I was both fast
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/what-is-cluttering-and-how-is-it-related-to-stuttering/]while
talking, AND I stuttered. I felt alone
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-and-lasting-emotional-effects/] in the world because I
believed no one understood the language I was speaking since my childhood.

It took me over two decades, but I did find a bunch of people from various walks
of life, just like me.

How Did Finding A Stuttering Community Help Me?
I was a smart kid. My parents took me to speech therapy early. I quickly learned
that stuttering is not my fault.

I also learned that around 1% of the world’s population stutters.

However, I was the only kid in middle school with a pronounced stutter. If
others had one, they did a marvelous job of hiding it!

At the end of the day, it was just me. That kept me wondering where all the
other 70 million lived. Surely, none of them went to my school or lived on my
block!

And it kept me thinking if I was ever going to meet anyone else who stutters.
Would we become friends over our shared disfluency
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/overcome-stuttering-fear-and-insecurity/]? Would s/he think that
I’m trying to mock them when I reply to their questions?

Only after I became an active member of not one but several Facebook stuttering
support groups, WhatsApp communities, and local chapters of stuttering
associations did I realize that the bond runs deeper than friendship.

When I first attended a meeting cum gala held by a registered stuttering
association for people who stutter (PWS), it was the first time I found myself
surrounded by hundreds of men, women, teens, and children who spoke my language
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/understanding-degrees-of-stuttering-severity/].

I would be lying if I said that I felt confident immediately. Or that I found a
community where I didn’t feel the need to hide my speech disfluency.

However, finding a community [https://stamurai.com/sessions] told me that I
finally belonged somewhere.

Why Should You Speak To Others Who Stutter?
For many, staying in touch with friends and making virtual friends over social
media apps is no big deal.

For me, it was always a big deal. I always felt like I was deceiving people
because they had no idea what I sound like in real life.

Only after I began attending the stuttering foundation galas and meets did I
realize that I wasn’t the only one
[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/not-alone-because-of-stuttering_b_9933336] who
thought like that.

My feeling comes from a deep-seated sense of guilt and shame
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-in-children-understanding-shame/].

Even though I know stuttering isn’t something I cannot control, I felt guilty
while “talking” fluently on messengers and text.

Talking to others who stutter has helped me find my identity
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/should-you-accept-your-stuttering-yes-absolutely/]. I finally
stopped ignoring everything related to my stuttering.

I began confronting feelings I had been suppressing for decades.

I attend meetings and seminars. Listen to people share their stories and share
when I’m ready to talk.

It is an intense setting, where for the first time in a long time, I saw people 
wait patiently [__GHOST_URL__/the-positive-aspects-of-stuttering/] as a person
who stutters finished speaking.

That once again reminded me that our opinions are important.

You don’t choose [__GHOST_URL__/is-stuttering-biological-or-psychological/] to
stutter. However, you can choose to surround yourself with people who stutter,
understand your speech disfluency, and support you.

You Are Never Alone
You may have felt alone, just like I did while growing up. But, you don’t have
to feel that way forever.

I have learned through years of therapy, attending support group meetings,
stuttering group video calls, and chats that we are as alone as we choose to be.

It is incredibly difficult, especially, if none of your family members or
friends stutter. It feels almost impossible to talk about our daily struggles.

However, that doesn’t have to be your reality forever.

There’s always at least one stuttering support group or community
[https://chat.whatsapp.com/DF2CpqQroAO2ychWM8hcV4] near you, just waiting for
you to find them.

Why You Should Talk to Others Who Stutter

Stuttering is not simply biological or completely psychological
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/is-stuttering-biological-or-psychological/]. It is
quite complex, and everyone stutters differently. Hence there is currently no
perfect cure [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-medicine] for stuttering.
You can, however, learn to manage or significantly overcome your stuttering with
the help of speech therapy. Speech therapy includes several stuttering exercises
for various age groups depending on the intensity of their stutter.

Do you stutter? Did you have no access to formal speech therapy? Haven’t been to
your speech therapist recently?

You can practice exercises to stop stuttering at home. Hundreds and thousands of
others have tried and benefitted from these exercises. You too, can.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]Here is our compilation of eleven exercises
for adults who stutter:

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing
Diaphragmatic or costal breathing has been a popular breathing exercise for
stuttering speech-therapists use. Several therapists and speech-language
pathologists (SLPs) now use deep breathing
[https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad15/papers/quesal15.html] as a tool to help
their clients relax their articulators.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]How to Do Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise to
Stop Stuttering at Home?
During costal breathing, the instructor or therapist asks the person to sit or
lie flat on their back. The aim is to achieve relaxation. The person should bend
his knees and get sufficient head support.

The person who stutters should place one hand on their chest and the other on
their belly. They should inhale through their nose slowly and calmly. They need
to feel the air fill up their stomach as the hand rises and moves forward. Their
shoulders and chest should remain immobile.

Next, they should begin exhaling. The hand on their chest should remain still.

It is a simple breathing exercise for stuttering. You can find guide videos on
YouTube as well. We have one right here, so you can practice it for 5 minutes
every day at least thrice.

You will notice that with regular practice, it will help you manage your fear
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-treatment-for-adults/] or anticipation of
stuttering. It may even reduce escape and avoidance behaviors.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]2. Progressive Relaxation
Stress and anxiety can worsen anyone’s stutter. You may have experienced intense
blocks and repetitions while speaking in front of your class or an audience.

Progressive relaxation
[https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/relaxation-techniques-for-people-who-stutter.htm] 
technique helps  relax your articulator muscles; it also relieves the symptoms
of anxiety, hypertension, general muscle stress, and tension.

How to Practice Progressive Relaxation Exercise to Reduce Stuttering?
Find a quiet and comfortable place. Play some relaxing music, and remember to
breathe through your nose throughout the exercise.

Either sit on a chair in a relaxed manner or lie down flatly on your back.

Keep your arms relaxed, away from your body with the palms facing upwards.

Keep your legs slightly spread, so your feet are comfortably apart.

Progressive relaxation enables the gradual relaxation of one part of the body at
a timeFocus on every muscle from your toe to head. Slow your breathing down.
Tense the muscles of your feet for 5 seconds and then relax them.

Next, do the same for your thigh muscles. Then move to your hip muscles, stomach
muscles, chest, biceps, neck, and face.

Take a 20-second break between the tightening of the next set of muscles. Don’t
forget to breathe while successively tensing and relaxing the muscles.

This relaxation exercise for stuttering will help you feel in control of your
body and reclaim confidence
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-and-lasting-emotional-effects/]. In
stuttering therapy, progressive relaxation aims to help clients relax the
muscles involved in stuttering.

3. Light Articulatory Contact
Light articulatory contact refers to minimal contact between the lips, teeth,
tongue, and hard palate. The technique teaches people who stutter (PWS) to use
light mouth movements like tongue exercise for stuttering to allow a smooth flow
of air while talking.

It enables the speaker to move to the next sound with a smooth movement and an
effortless voice. Consonants typically produce high articulatory pressure, which
is natural.

Learning this particular speech exercise for stuttering will help you reduce the
articulatory pressure.

How to Practice Light Articulatory Contact Exercise?
You can learn light contacts at home from the video.

Your speech therapist will help you practice light articulatory contact on all
consonants. You will learn how to implement it on single-syllable words/sounds.
Gradually, you will learn to apply the technique on initial, medial, and final
positions.

For example – you will learn how to establish light articulatory contact on the
consonant /p/ in pink, poppy, and top.

Soon, you will graduate to phrase level, sentence level, and conversational
level applications of light articulatory contact.

Once you learn this technique from your therapist, you can always practice it at
home alone or with family.

4. Speaking While Exhaling
It is a fluency shaping method. Speaking while you have begun exhaling can
modify your onset of phonation.

How to Practice ‘Speak While Exhaling’ to Stop Stuttering at Home?
You can master this technique
[https://voicefoundation.org/articles/breathe-and-speak-with-ease/] all on your
own. First, inhale with your nose and begin speaking as you start exhaling.

When you exhale, your vocal folds are more relaxed. They cannot come together to
hold the air back. It reduces the laryngeal muscular tension.

The working principle of this method is quite simple, and you can keep
practicing this at home
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/why-dont-we-stutter-when-talking-alone/] whenever
you speak to your family members or friends.

5. Pausing and Phrasing
It is another fluency shaping technique. It lengthens the natural pauses. Or, it
can teach you to insert additional pauses in your speech between the words and
phrases.

You can join a stuttering video calling group [https://stamurai.com/sessions] if
you currently don’t have access to a speech therapist. The right frequency of
pausing and phrasing may help you reduce the rate of your speech and decrease
muscle tension.

You can use this speech therapy exercise for stuttering while reading out loud,
speaking, and in conversations. A person who stutters may have to pause every 2
to 5 syllables while talking.

Pausing and phrasing are one of the most popular exercises to stop stuttering.
Pausing will also give you the time to breathe deeply and begin the next word
with light contact of the articulators.

6. Prolonged Speech
You can best master prolonged speech under the guidance of a speech therapist.
This stuttering exercise can help you achieve fluency by stretching out the
vowels.

It combines the techniques of light articulatory contacts along with gentle
onsets and pausing. This combinatorial technique can enhance fluency, slow your
rate of speech, and reduce articulatory pressure. It will give you a sense of
control while you are speaking.

This combinatorial approach can enhance your fluency by allowing you to stutter
more easily than beforeYou will initially require the guidance of a therapist to
master prolonged speech. You can also practice ‘Prolonged Speech Exercise’ for
stuttering with a verified speech therapy app like Stamurai
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stamurai-app-to-stop-stuttering/]. Later, you can
practice it and apply it at home.

7. Pull Outs
You can perform pull-outs correctly and with ease at home after a clinician has
shown you the technique.

You can use it when you face an unexpected stutter, and you find yourself stuck.

The therapist will teach you how to stretch the sound you got stuck on and slide
out of it easily and blend into the next sound.

It is a stuttering modification technique that modifies the stuttering while
it’s occurring.

You can practice it regularly on your own to get out of stubborn stutters when
you speak.

This exercise for a stuttering adult can teach you

 1. How to reduce muscular tension?
 2. How to reduce the stress of stuttering
    [__GHOST_URL__/is-stuttering-biological-or-psychological/]?
 3. How to stutter more fluently?

8. Mindfulness and Meditation
A recent 2018 study
[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1525740118783516?journalCode=cdqc] 
shows that including mindfulness in your daily routine can benefit your speech
fluency.

Just like most of the techniques we have discussed above, you can begin
mindfulness meditation with the help of the Stamurai app.

Mindfulness
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/channel-your-emotions-to-reduce-your-stutter/] will
reduce your mental stress and anxiety while communicating with others. The other
positive results might include a decreased rate of avoidance and improved
control over the negative emotions.

You might be able to reduce anticipation of stuttering by meditating daily with
the help of a guide app.

9. Try Yoga
Yoga is all about finding the right balance between your body and mind. Begin
with the light stuff like upward facing dog, downward-facing dog, the standing
backbend, forward bend, camel, warrior, and pigeon poses.

These yoga [https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/beginner-yoga] poses are all
light and fairly easy. You can find guides to assume these poses quite easily on
YouTube.

The aim of these poses is to stretch the muscles of your limbs, midriff, and
neck muscles.

According to Kauffman
[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0031512516628987], studies show
that yoga not only reduces stress but also gives the person a sense of control
and confidence.

You can also manage your breathing better, apply deep breathing techniques, and
feel more in control of your articulators by including pranayamas within your
daily yoga [__GHOST_URL__/yoga-and-stuttering/] routine.

Dedicate 20 minutes every day while you are at home to see a marked difference
in your metabolism, confidence level, mental health, and emotions related to
stuttering.

10. Note Your Daily Accomplishments
Keep a journal. You should note the smallest of the small positive changes you
observe in your speech.

For example, you answered the door with a smile and a “Hi” without stuttering.
Or, you went to the grocers and initiated a conversation.

You can also include stories of how you came in touch with other PWS who have
motivated you. Share your stories in forums and communities
[https://chat.whatsapp.com/DF2CpqQroAO2ychWM8hcV4].

Keep a digital journal to include photos, videos, and screen-grabs. Make your
journey towards fluency memorable and inspiring.

It will help you focus on the positives of stuttering rather than let you dwell
on the drawbacks.

11. Challenge Yourself to Approach and Overcome New Situations
Make a list of things that scare you right now.

For example, answering phone calls, placing an order via phone, talking to a new
guest, or speaking [__GHOST_URL__/public-speaking-with-a-stutter/] 
during a Zoom meeting.

Next, once you begin to see improvements in your speech after you practice your
stuttering exercises, breathing and yoga daily, try to face one challenge at a
time.

At first, you may find it tough to step outside your comfort zone. Joining 
virtual stuttering support groups
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/benefits-of-talking-to-other-people-who-stutter/] 
and attending moderated video calling sessions [https://stamurai.com/sessions] 
with other PWS can help you garner the confidence you need for approaching the
new situations.

Make it a part of your exercise to challenge yourself each day while at home by
stepping out of your comfort zone.

12. Try Aerobic Exercises
Recent studies [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5017068/] show that
light aerobic exercising can help improve fluency. 

10 adults who stuttered, participated in a study at the National Institute of
Rehabilitation and medicine (NIRM). They ran on treadmills and rode stationary
cycles for 30-minutes under the supervision of a physical therapist.

They also received speech therapy along with the control group. This continued
for 6-weeks.

Speech-language pathologists then evaluated the stuttering severity of both
groups. Results indicated that the ones doing aerobic exercises regularly
stuttered significantly less than before.

13. The Linklater Voice Progression
Have you noticed how singers and actors do “funny” vocal exercises before each
performance? It is a part of Kristin Linklater’s Voice Progression - a
collection of vocal exercises that ease the tension of the throat muscles and
‘frees’ the voice.

It is an integral part of renowned actor training programs, such as Yale School
of Drama. A recent publication
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094730X17300013] shows
that the Linklater technique can reduce the impact of stuttering among adults.

The technique focuses on the following -

 1. Physical awareness of the tension building up in and around the throat.
 2. Relaxing the breathing and throat muscles to allow easy flow of sound
 3. Freeing the sound vibrations
 4. Undoing the tensions in the jaw, tongue, lips and throat. 
 5. Providing strength to the voice 

Although it is not a conventional component of any stuttering therapy
[https://stamurai.com/blog/online-speech-therapy-for-stuttering/] or speech
therapy, research findings indicate that the Linklater Voice Progression can
increase fluency by soothing the muscles involved in breathing and speech. 

Few Final Words
These are 13 easy and exciting exercises that can help you become more fluent.
They can also help you retain your fluency long after you have had your session
with your speech therapist.

These are exercises that most speech therapists and SLPs recommend. However, you
can also practice some of these at home regularly to see a noticeable difference
in your stuttering frequency and intensity.

[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb]

13 Stuttering Exercises for Adults: Reduce Stuttering At Home

“What stutter? You talk smoothly!” “You definitely don’t stutter. I haven’t
heard you get stuck even once in the last 20 minutes” – these are comments
people who stutter covertly have been hearing everytime they want to advertise
their stutter.

What’s worse than stuttering? No one believing that you actually stutter
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30347066/] and that you put in immense effort,
every waking moment, to pass yourself off as fluent.

Only 1% of the world stutters. Many of us, in our effort to sound like the
majority, hide our stutters. We may have hidden them since elementary school or
high school, ever since we became conscious of our speech disfluency.

We have avoided saying words that we fear, we have substituted words, and we
have simply chosen to remain quiet in situations that may have triggered our
stutters.

Now, we sound fluent and we pass as fluent seemingly effortlessly.

However, is it truly effortless? We have to deal with the anxiety and
anticipation of stuttering long before we begin speaking. We have to constantly
keep updating our feared words list. Our vocabulary is expansive, and every time
we come face-to-face with a feared word we comb through it for a synonym.

It is time that we speak out about covert stuttering, but before that, let’s
find out a little more about what it is, what causes covert stuttering and what
are the treatments for stuttering covertly.

What Is Covert Stuttering?
Today, research shows that around 1% of the world’s population stutters.
However, some researchers also mention that the number can be significantly
bigger since no one knows how many people hide their stutter.

Some say that the number of people who stutter is a lot more than 70 million,
but we don’t get a fair estimate because many of them don’t stutter openly or
overtly.

So, how do we define covert stuttering?

Well, covert stuttering may refer to the following –

 * Omission – A person may anticipate a stutter and avoid the trigger words
   altogether. There are instances where people have had their names changed
   officially or introduced themselves by their nicknames to avoid stuttering.
 * Substitution – A person who stutters may substitute one word for another. For
   example, instead of saying “big” the person can say “immense” or “ample.”
 * Escape or avoid – A person can entirely avoid situations, or choose actions
   like yawning, coughing, clearing their throat to avoid stuttering overtly.
 * Introversion – A person may appear to be quiet or introverted in social
   situations that demand talking.

Covert stuttering is less studied due to its nature.

A person who stutters covertly
[https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/journal/hallen/covert.html] can change words
and avoid people or situations that may trigger their stutter. These serve as
the typical symptoms for covert stuttering.

It’s entirely possible that someone who stutters covertly has never spoken about
stuttering to anyone.

How Does Covert Stuttering Hurt The Speaker?
Stuttering can be a well-kept secret for many covertly disfluent speakers.
Almost every person who stutters has hidden a stutter or avoided saying a
particularly difficult word once in a while.

However, making it a daily practice to hide one’s stuttering from their friends,
colleagues and even family takes a severe toll on mental health. It can increase
fear, shame, and anxiety in someone who has to carefully choose their words and
navigate conversations to hide their stuttering.

According to research [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5504509/],
stuttering covertly can have a long-term impact on a person’s mental health
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-and-lasting-emotional-effects/]. Anger, frustration,
helplessness, speech anxiety, low confidence levels and low self-esteem are all
problems associated with covert stuttering symptoms .

Personal Accounts Of Covert Stuttering
According to Berit Løkken, someone who stutters covertly, she has never spoken
to anyone about her stuttering other than Hilda Sønsterud. Her doctoral thesis
is on stuttering.

Løkken resorted to covert stuttering after she was bullied at school
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/reining-in-the-bullies/]. Saying her own name
[https://stamuraiapp.medium.com/saying-your-name-4-ways-to-reduce-stutters-71f2371bdd6d] 
was difficult which caused her to withdraw from social introductions. She became
more introverted by the day. Finally, she mastered the skill of hiding her
stutter by avoiding words that trigger her stuttering.

Her struggle to remain fluent goes largely unnoticed. Berit Løkken is one of the
many people who stutter covertly and just like them she has repeatedly been told
that she is not a “stutterer”.

Michael Punzi, another 23-year old male college graduate states that he began 
stuttering covertly
[https://blog.usejournal.com/im-a-covert-stutterer-this-is-my-story-dd011a1622eb] 
after he noticed that his speech was different from the others in elementary
school. His parents assured him that he’d “grow out” of it.

He never grew out [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-misconceptions/] of it. Instead he
quickly learned how to hide his stutter. It was his firm belief that he could
get rid of his stutter if he tried hard enough. Instead of allowing him to 
accept [__GHOST_URL__/should-you-accept-your-stuttering-yes-absolutely/] and
embrace his stuttering, this pushed him further into denial for more than a
decade.

Even during his college years, he chose to remain quiet in class, avoided asking
questions and minted his words very carefully during presentations.

Only when he had to present [__GHOST_URL__/public-speaking-with-a-stutter/] in
front of a large group he accepted and advertised his stuttering problem. That
was one of the first times he felt relieved and deeply appreciated by his peers
and professor.

Evaluating Covert Stuttering
Not much is known about covert stuttering since people who stutter covertly
typically hide it well. Some studies show that a few factors tend to perpetuate
it.

 * Fear – what’s worse that stuttering? The fear of it. Anticipation and fear of
   sounding different, looking different or a secret being discovered often
   makes people hide their disfluency. Some do it well enough to pass as fluent
   speakers.
 * Guilt – if a child grows up thinking that stuttering is their fault, they can
   develop covert stuttering at an early age. This is typically difficult to
   detect, since the person  often feels guilty of making listeners
   uncomfortable with their disfluencies.
 * Shame – stuttering attracts mockery, stigma and bullying. Sadly, several
   people who stutter are ashamed of how they sound. Embracing one’s stuttering
   isn’t easy, but shame can feed a person’s denial.
 * Denial – a person who stutters may not be ready to accept their speech
   disfluency. In such a situation, they might evade situations that can cause
   them to stutter. They may be in denial of the need for therapy.

Sadly, the evaluation of covert stuttering isn’t easy due to the overlay of the
several psychological factors [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-depression/] that prompt
PWS to hide their stuttering.

Treatment of Covert Stuttering
Today, the treatment for stuttering is available and accessible to almost anyone
and everyone across the globe, thanks to speech therapy apps like Stamurai
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stamurai-app-to-stop-stuttering/].

Conventional therapy and stuttering treatment
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-treatment-for-adults/] can help adults reduce their
disfluencies over time.

However, the complex psychological factors involved along with the neurological 
causes [__GHOST_URL__/causes-of-stuttering-in-adults/] make covert stuttering
difficult to treat. Traditional speech therapy can become effective only when a
person who stutters covertly, is willing to accept and embrace their stuttering.

Therefore, one of the first tasks for the therapist is to encourage the client
to stutter overtly. Acceptance can come through rigorous exercises
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0094730X83900268] like –

 * Talking openly about stuttering and introducing oneself as someone who
   stutters
 * Mentioning one’s stuttering to their friends, colleagues and family in an
   acceptable way
 * Advertise their stuttering via voluntary stuttering
 * Desensitizing oneself towards the negative reactions of the listeners
 * Not substituting or avoiding the feared words, but saying them complete with
   blocks, repetitions or prolongations

An adult may need intensive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to achieve the
self-confidence necessary to accept and advertise their stuttering.

Once the person is able to embrace their stutter, there’s no looking back.

Understanding Covert Stuttering – A Brief Guide

WHO defines stuttering as disorders in speech rhythm during which the person who
stutters knows what they want to say, but they are unable to do so due to
involuntary blocks, repetitions and prolongations of sounds or words.

How is it that stuttering is common in almost all cultures across the world?
Does language have any impact on stuttering? If someone speaks more than one
language, do they stutter equally and similarly in all of them?

Defining, observing and treating stuttering is comparatively easy when the
speaker is monolingual. When the person speaks and stutters in more than one
language, it results in additional complexity.

What Is Bilingualism?
1% of the world’s population stutters, but more than 60% of the world’s
population is bilingual. There is a high chance that speech-language
pathologists (SLPs) encounter one or more individuals daily, who stutter and
speak more than one language.

There is no universally-accepted definition of bilingualism. The term typically
refers to the simultaneous and alternating use of two languages by an
individual. It can also signify the individual’s fluency in one language and a
limited extent of knowledge in a second language.

In past research, “bilingualism” has been referred to as “the use of two or more
languages” (Borsel et al, 2000).

Manifestation of Stuttering in the Bilingual Population
Over the last few years, attention has shifted to the incidence of stuttering in
the bilingual population. According to a literature review by Borsel et al in
2000, stuttering may be more prevalent in people who speak two or more
languages, as compared to people who speak just one.

According to Nwokah (1988), a bilingual individual may stutter in both
languages, but the disfluencies can manifest differently in each language. The
review further states that the speech disfluencies may affect one or all the
languages equally.

There are rare cases when the individual may experience a higher frequency and
intensity of stuttering in a particular language. At the same time, the
individual may be almost fluent in another language.

Nwokah suggests that in such cases, the individual might be significantly more
proficient in conversing in one language as compared to the other.

What Are the Different Types of Bilingualism?
Everyone who speaks more than one language has picked up the second language
either at a very young age (simultaneously with their first language), during
elementary school (7 to 12 years old) or high school, or later in life (12+
years of age).

Au-Yeung et al (2000) categorized bilinguals into three broad groups that have
helped speech-language pathologists (SLPs) note their observations on the link
between stuttering and bilingualism.

i. The early bilinguals
These are individuals who began learning a second language almost simultaneously
with their first language or mother tongue (simultaneous bilingualism). They
completed acquiring and mastering the second language by the time they were 6
years old.

ii. The middle bilinguals
Individuals who have begun learning the second language between the ages of 7
and 12 years. Travis et al and Mussafia et al have studied and discussed
consecutive bilingualism in their respective work.

iii. The late bilinguals
These are people who have begun the acquisition of the second language after the
age of 12. They may have also chosen to learn the second language later in their
teenage years or in adulthood.

What Is The Prevalence Of Stuttering In Bilinguals?
In one of the earliest studies [https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/jshd.0203.185] 
on bilingualism and stuttering conducted by Travis, Johnson and Shover (1937),
the stuttering prevalence among 4,827 children surveyed were around 1.80%, 2.80%
and 2.38% for monolingual (English-speaking) kids, children who spoke two, and
more than two languages in addition to English respectively.

The study subjects were between 4 and 17 years old. 2405 participants in the
study were boys and 2,422 were girls. The determination was based on observation
of the subjects’ reading, and conversation fluency in all languages.

An interpreter was present for children who spoke languages other than English.

The results showed that the stuttering prevalence was significantly lower in
monolingual children (1.80%) as compared to those who speak two or more
languages (2.80% and 2.38% respectively).

A similar study by Stern in 1948
[https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/download/535/647] involved 1861
children from 4 different schools in Johannesburg (South Africa). It showed that
stuttering prevalence was 1.66% in monolingual and 2.16% in bilingual children.

At the same time, the severity rate of stuttering was much higher in bilinguals
who stuttered as compared to monolinguals who stuttered.

However, both studies had one major drawback
[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7245664_The_Effect_of_Sample_Size_on_the_Assessment_of_Stuttering_Severity]
– the clinical judgments were based on single assessment only. According to
Ingham and Costello (1984) single assessment studies are not enough to report
stuttering like disfluencies.

A working alternative is the introduction of self-reports that can gather data
including age, gender, ethnic background, education levels, occupational
background, age of learning the second language etc.

Except for the research published by Au-Yeung et al (2000), the available data
shows that stuttering prevalence is much higher in people who speak two or more
languages as compared to those who speak only one language. Studies published by
Travis et al indicate a direct link between bilingualism and stuttering.

Factors That Influence Stuttering In A Bilingual Population
A significant percentage of the world’s population is bilingual, but only 1% of
the total population stutters. While there’s not much we know about the
percentage of people who stutter covertly, we do know that not everyone who is
bilingual has or had speech disfluency.

In 1937, Travis et al
[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344392754_Bilingualism_as_a_Purported_Risk_Factor_for_Stuttering_A_Close_Look_at_a_Seminal_Study_Travis_et_al_1937] 
suggested a direct link between stuttering and bilingualism. For almost 26% of
those who stuttered, there was a relationship between the introduction of a
second language with the onset of their stuttering.

In another study by Pichon and Borel-Maisonny (1964), there was a strong
suggestion that stuttering could be ascribed to bilingualism in 14% of their
subjects.

So, what are the factors that influence the prevalence of stuttering in a
bilingual population?

Synaptic Overload
Karniol [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/014272379201203604] suggested
that in order to determine a direct link between stuttering and bilingualism,
one has to consider the probability of synaptic overload. The 1992 study
referred to a neuroscience model proposed in a 1989 study
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0094730X89900284]by
Nudelman et al. The model proposes that speech disfluencies may reflect
instances of instability in the language acquisition, processing and production
loop in the brain.

Demands and Capacities of Language Processing
Another model Karniol and other researchers have considered and dismissed is the 
Demands and Capacities model
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0094730X9090015K] by
Starkweather (1987). According to this model, a child shows
stuttering-like-disfluencies when they lack the capacities to meet the fluency
demands of more than one language.

Genetic Predisposition and Environmental Factors
Travis et al [https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00364] also noted
that 97.2% of the bilinguals who were also a part of the same study, didn’t
stutter at all. Similarly, Mussafia observed in his study that children were
susceptible to speech and language disorders when they have to pick up a second
language suddenly and abruptly.

Other factors Travis et al considered in their research included –

 * The economic insecurity in the homes of migrants whose children typically
   spoke more than one language
 * The stress and confusion of moving from one state or country to another
 * The stress of picking up a new language that is not typically spoken at home
   of migrant children

Possibly, the most important and relevant observation regarding the relationship
between bilingualism and stuttering comes from the studies of Lebrun and Paradis
(1984). They mention that stuttering may be a result of the input of mixed
language utterances around children who are already predisposed to stuttering.

Brain Structures Involved in Language Acquisition and Processing
In 1997, imaging studies [https://www.nature.com/articles/40623] published by
Kim et al on late bilinguals showed that second and native languages were
spatially distinct in the Broca’s area. Whereas, in the case of early and middle
bilinguals the native and second languages are represented in the common frontal
cortical areas.

The same study inspires the discussion that the middle and early bilinguals are
more susceptible to stuttering due to high demands of functioning of the same
brain areas for both languages.

Limitations In The Research On The Link Between Bilingualism And Stuttering
There isn’t enough research to indicate the reason behind the strong link
between stuttering and bilingualism.

Another link that remains to be investigated is the one between the similarities
of the two or more languages spoken by the children who stutter.

The current hypothesis is that two closely related languages may lead to further
confusion and more disfluencies in children who have picked up the second
language later in life.

A contradictory hypothesis is that two unrelated languages may require more
resources and cause more disfluencies in children predisposed to stuttering.

However, one of the most common observations in studies by Au-Yeung et al, and
Travis et al is that disfluencies are less common among middle bilinguals as
compared to early and late bilinguals. Nonetheless, the apparent “immunity” of
adults towards the development of stuttering is unclear.

So, What Can We Tell About Stuttering and Bilingualism?
There is more to bilingualism and stuttering than we currently know. Last six
decades of studies and research show that children (predisposed to stuttering)
who picked up a second language while staying in a vulnerable or new environment
have grown up to retain their stutter.

It is for certain that the middle bilinguals are more susceptible to stuttering
as compared to early and late bilinguals.

There is no saying whether a person will stutter similarly in all the languages
they speak. We must not forget that stuttering is highly heterogeneous. Apart
from genetic predisposition, anomalies in the brain structure and possibilities
of synaptic overload, there might be other factors that scientists and SLPs are
yet to explore.

Understanding the Link between Bilingualism & Stuttering

Stuttering consists of involuntary repetitions, prolongations and blocks. Some
people who stutter (PWS) are conscious about their trigger words and they avoid
saying those words to hide their stuttering.

No matter how much we try, those of us who stutter moderately to severely,
almost always fail to hide our stuttering. The pressure of hiding our stutter
often sends us into a spiral of anxiety, fear and anticipation
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/overcome-stuttering-fear-and-insecurity/] that makes our
stuttering worse.

What is Self-advertisement or Self-disclosure of Stuttering?
So, what’s one way to take the power away from stuttering? According to
accomplished clinicians and speech-language pathologists, self-advertising or
self-disclosure is a powerful way. It can be as simple as telling someone that
you stutter.

In many cases, we find ourselves worried about what others might think of the
way we speak. Since there’s nothing wrong with how we speak, it’s just better to
accept and address our stutter before we begin our conversation. Doing so can
help eliminate the fear and anxiety.

Self-disclosure of stuttering takes power away from the anxiety and fear of
stutteringAccording to Michael P. Boyle [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27865229/], there
are three more effective anti-stigma strategies that work for stuttering –

1. Contact (self-advertisement)
This includes hearing stories from a first-person perspective. You can introduce
yourself as someone who stutters at the beginning of an interview
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/what-employers-should-know-about-candidates-who-stutter/],
meeting or presentation [__GHOST_URL__/stop-stuttering-during-presentations/]. A
significant number of college professors, lecturers, and job applicants make a
favorable impression by owning their stutter at the beginning of a crucial
conversation.

2. Education
This method works best for adolescents and young adults. This is when people are
exposed to brochures, books, e-books, online presentations, or videos about
stuttering. The content is directed towards telling people what causes
stuttering and replacing the myths related to stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-misconceptions/] with facts.

3. Protest
It has become a popular tool ever since the Stuttering Foundation
[https://www.stutteringhelp.org/content/stuttering-foundation-snl] stood up
against the 15 September 2015 Saturday Night Live sketch that ridiculed
stuttering. The foundation called  it a “huge step backwards” for the entire
stuttering community. The idea is to discourage discrimination and humiliation
of people who stutter.

Interpersonal contact is a method of self-advertising or self-disclosure. It may
involve someone sharing a personal life-story about living with the speech
disorder. It is one of the most effective methods since it depends on the
grassroots efforts from people who have lived with the disorder to change the
public attitude about the disorder.

When Should You Self-advertise Stuttering?
The next question that almost always follows is “what’s the right time to
disclose stuttering?”

On the effects of self-disclosure of stuttering, E. Charles Healey
[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6528651_The_effects_of_self-disclosure_and_non-self_disclosure_of_stuttering_on_listeners'_perceptions_of_a_person_who_stutters] 
notes that in order to understand the effectiveness of self-advertising, we need
to first understand the three main scenarios –

 1. The speaker may disclose stuttering at the beginning of the dialogue
 2. The speaker may disclose stuttering at the end of the dialogue
 3. The speaker does not advertise stuttering at all

The moderators played monologues from people who stuttered for the listeners.
Listeners in the Healey study reported that they were equally comfortable
listening to all the recordings with or without disclosure. However, studies
also showed that listeners reacted slightly more positively towards the
monologues of people who self-advertised their stuttering at the beginning.

However, in many real-life interactions, you may find self-advertisement
unnecessary. For example, self-disclosure isn’t needed when you are traveling
and someone asks for directions or asks to borrow your phone. As soon as you
respond, the person might be able to figure out that you stutter. But, does that
matter? Since it is a transient interaction and it will have little to no impact
on your life in the distant future, is it at all necessary to advertise your
stuttering to a stranger?

Balance is important. It’s not always necessary to self-advertise!You will
notice that in several instances like these where you interact with complete
strangers or acquaintances for a short duration, the topic of stuttering will
never come up organically.

Should you volunteer to inject the topic in the conversation? Should you make
stuttering a topic of every conversation you have in the future? Well, that
doesn’t seem very practical or pleasant for the speaker or the listener. More
importantly, you will probably have more interesting things to talk about. So,
why not talk about other things and let the conversation take its course.

If the topic of stuttering or disfluencies and disorders ever come up, you can
always acknowledge
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/should-you-accept-your-stuttering-yes-absolutely/] or
self-advertise. It is always about striking a balance – the balance of talking
about other things and discussing stuttering.

Just as Russ Hicks puts it “the world does NOT revolve around stuttering!”

Why Should You Self-advertise Stuttering?
Now, as someone who has stuttered for more than a decade and probably will
stutter in different intensities throughout life, we have the right to ask “Why
should we self-advertise our stutter?”

In many cases, a listener’s negative perception about a speaker who stutters can
stem from the lack of knowledge about the person’s speech disorder. To avoid
confusion, one can always begin a possible conversation by saying “I may take
longer than usual to finish what I have to say because I stutter”.

Acknowledgement and advertising has two main goals
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094730X18300597] –

 1. To lessen the sensitivity of the listener towards the speaker’s disfluencies
    and  promote acceptance of their stuttering during a speech or conversation.
 2. To reduce the negative biases towards the speaker by eliminating doubts
    about their communication skills and articulatory prowess.

It is untrue that PWS are bad at communication. The act of acknowledgement and
self-advertising can reduce the effects of both tension and anticipation in an
adult who stutters. They don’t feel the need to hide their stuttering while 
addressing the listeners [__GHOST_URL__/public-speaking-with-a-stutter/].

In a 1990 study [https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/jshd.5501.75] by Collins
and Blood, listeners had to watch video tapes of one out of two adults with
severe and moderate stuttering. The video consisted of adults who stutter
answering questions during a mock job interview.

The acknowledgement of stuttering came at the end of the interview in one video.
Next, they were shown another video that didn’t come with a self-advertisement
of stuttering. When the listeners were quizzed, results showed that a
significant number of the listeners would prefer to interact with people who had
acknowledged their stuttering.

One of the biggest reasons you should self-advertise your stutter at the
beginning of a job interview, presentation or speech is to let people know that
you are comfortable with your stutter and soon they will be too.

How Should You Self-advertise Your Stutter?
Acknowledging and advertising stuttering takes more courage than fluent speakers
think or believe. Since a majority of the society still, sadly, perceives
stuttering to be a “flaw” it takes immense nerve to accept it in front of people
who will probably judge you, employ you and/or give reviews.

So, here are the basics of self-advertising for anyone who has speech
disfluencies like stuttering –

If you stutter, use the word “stutter”
Famous comedian Drew Lynch
[https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/drew-lynch-comedian-with-stutter-is-runner-up-in-americas-got-talent-finale/full/] 
almost always introduces himself as someone who stutters. Although you are
definitely more than a speech disfluency, self-disclosure will help out your
listener(s) by telling them that you are not in denial of it and that you are
comfortable with it. It exhibits a sense of confidence that is necessary for job
interviews, lectures, and presentations.

Do not be apologetic
Don’t begin by saying “I’m sorry for the interruptions, but I stutter”. There’s
nothing to be apologetic about! It’s not your fault that you stutter. You may
need to practice this a little since we have been taught that ‘how we speak’ is
important no matter what we have to say! It becomes a knee-jerk reaction
sometimes.

Don’t complicate it
Don’t put in big words and stats. Simply tell your listeners that you are aware
that you stutter. Stuttering doesn’t diminish your talents, skillset, or
experience. Simply talking in a different way should not influence their
attitude towards you.

What are Some Examples of Self-disclosure?
If you follow Nina G
[https://isad.isastutter.org/isad-2018/papers-presented-by/stories-and-experiences-with-stuttering-by-pws/stutterer-interrupted-on-disrupting-the-interrupting-nina-g/] 
or Drew Lynch, on Twitter or YouTube, you may have come across some great
one-liners on stuttering. Humor is necessary because it reminds us that despite
the discrimination, negative attitudes, and discomfort some of our listeners
throw our way, it’s important to laugh.

You can think about incorporating some humor in your self-disclosure statement
to rope in your listeners and lessen their discomfort.

You can say something like, “Before I begin, I’d like to take this opportunity
to state that I stutter. That means I may take longer to finish what I am
saying, but that doesn’t affect my ability to meet targets, as you can see from
my resume”.

You may have to disclose your stutter over phone calls
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/phone-calls-stuttering/] at times too. For example, if someone
asks about your birthday or address, you can always say, “I stutter, so thanks
in advance for your patience”.

You can be a teacher, professor, dental hygienist, doctor, motivational speaker,
comedian, author, actor, cashier, accountant, or Uber driver. Regardless of the
profession you are in and the kind of people you meet on a daily basis,
 self-disclosure for stuttering shouldn’t be hard or awkward especially when
it’s necessary.

Use the available context to advertise your stutter if that’s necessary.

Understanding Public Reactions to Self-disclosure of Stuttering

We may expect people to be sensitive and supportive when we muster the courage
to acknowledge and advertise our long-term speech disfluency. However, the
reality can be quite different and you need to be prepared.

If you have been stuttering for a while and receiving therapy, there might be
days where your stutter is barely noticeable
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/guide-to-covert-stuttering/]. We have all experienced those
“lucky days”.

After you self-disclose, you may hear comments from your listeners like, “Are
you sure you stutter? Your speech was smooth”. Some of them can be outright rude
like the ones famous comedian Drew Lynch receives. People may accuse you of
faking a stutter!

Well, it’s important to remember that most people do not know what it’s like to
not be in complete control of their words and voice. That also brings us back to
two of the three anti-stigma strategies – education and protest.

In situations where listeners are challenging your self-disclosure you can
choose to enlighten them on what is stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/is-stuttering-biological-or-psychological/], the different 
severities [__GHOST_URL__/understanding-degrees-of-stuttering-severity/] of
stuttering and why it happens.

Sometimes, education is not enough and we understand that. Days of bullying and
mistreatment can take a toll on mental health and productivity of any adult who
stutters. So, if push comes to shove, you can reach out to WhatsApp support
groups, stuttering foundations and organizations for additional support.

Self Advertising Your Stutter: Benefits, Advice, Examples & Considerations

Stuttering is a speech disfluency that may have multiple causes. Researchers
associate neurodevelopmental disorder with structural anomalies
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/cellular-causes-of-stuttering-in-adults-and-children/] in
multiple regions of the brain associated with speech processing and production.

A study by CA Kell states that spontaneous recovery from stuttering during
adulthood may be rare, but it opens up the possibilities of brain repair outside
the scope of developmental plasticity.

What Processes Of The Brain Contribute To Stuttering?
Imaging studies
[https://www.stutteringhelp.org/differences-brains-people-who-stutter] of the
brains of people who stutter (PWS) show that the regions responsible for speech
function anomalously.

Two such areas include the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and the left motor
cortex. The left inferior frontal gyrus is responsible for the planning of
speech and the left motor cortex is responsible for executing the speech
movements.

According to Nichole Neef [https://www.cbs.mpg.de/stuttering-in-the-brain], a
leading neuroscientist at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain
Sciences (MPI CBS),

“when speech movement planning and execution are sporadically interrupted or
inhibited, the person cannot speak fluently.”

MRI studies of the brain activity in adults who stutter show significant
hyperactivity in the right hemisphere of their brains.

As per studies [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2731627/] by Chang
et al 2008, children who stutter show anomalies in the Broca's area and
noticeable disorganization in the white matter in the region of the left
rolandic operculum.

These structural anomalies persist in the brains of adults who stutter. In
adults who stutter, neural activity is higher in the right frontoparietal
regions of the brain and the basal ganglia.

Who Can Recover Spontaneously From Stuttering?
Publications on the research work conducted by Ambrose and Dworzynski
respectively show that, just like stuttering, spontaneous recovery can be
heritable.

It is impossible to predict who will recover without assistance and who won’t.
Therefore, almost all speech-language pathologists (SLPs) recommend early
intervention for children who have been stuttering for more than 2 months.

The heritable nature of an individual’s ability to recover without assistance
makes room for the hypothesis that spontaneous recovery must engage strong,
reproducible neural mechanisms in the brain.

What Brain Structure Changes Are Key To Stuttering Recovery?
Data from the study [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19710179/] by CA Kell et al
shows that unassisted recovery is accompanied by the activation of the part of
the orbitofrontal cortex of the brain. It is adjacent to the area where an
anomaly of white matter distribution is noted in the case of people who stutter.
However, the same area is normalized in subjects who recover without assistance.

The structural differences between the brains of adults who stutter and those
with fluent speech show that stuttering depends on the anomalies in the left
inferior frontal region. The recovery process depends significantly on the
posterior orbitofrontal site.

In the cases of adults who stutter, hyperactivity was noticeable in the right
hemisphere. The regions of hyperactivity were contralateral to the structural
anomalies. The over-activation of the right hemisphere is inversely related to
the stuttering severity
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/understanding-degrees-of-stuttering-severity/].

Behavioral and speech therapy can abolish the over-activations in the right
prefrontal and parietal regions. Fluency shaping shifts the hyperactivations to
the corresponding regions in the left hemisphere.

Therapy can reduce the compensation attempt by the adult brain and prevent the
over-activation of the right hemisphere. Therapy can normalize the function of
the perisylvian regions.

Can You Induce Changes In The Brain Structure and Function?
The brain has high plasticity. Even in adults, the brain undergoes changes in
neural connections, depending on external factors including habits, daily
practices, lifestyle, medication, and more.

It is hard to believe, but it is possible to  train your brain to revert the
anomalies in structure and function that may contribute to your stuttering.

A new study published by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) proposes
[https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1095] that one week of speech
therapy can reorganize the structures of the brain responsible for stuttering.
The reorganization of brain structure can reduce stuttering.

The researchers conducted the study on 28 adults and 13 people who don’t
stutter. Out of the 28 adults, 15 received a week of therapy with three sessions
per day. The control population and the remaining 13 people who stuttered didn’t
receive any therapy.

The team used brain scans to measure the thickness of the cerebral cortex at the
beginning and end of the study. The team measured the interactions between the
different areas of the brain while at rest for all participants.

For those who stutter, the interactions within the cerebellum were stronger as
compared to the fluent speakers.

After a week, the PWS who received therapy exhibited the same level of
functional connectivity in the cerebellum as those who don’t stutter.

The author of the study, Chunming Lu, Ph.D. states

"therapy can prompt the brain to reorganize itself even in the cases of adults
who stutter. The changes in the interactions of the cerebellum show that the
brain compensates for stuttering".

Research also proves that differences in the structure and function of several
regions of the brain contribute to stuttering and stuttering severity.

CA Kell, MD, Goethe University, Frankfurt states that these findings should help
speech therapists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in their work. They
can further gain an insight into how speech therapy works in reorganizing the
structure of the brain.

Neuroplasticity Is Good News for PWS
These studies are proof that it is never too late to begin speech therapy
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-treatment-for-adults/].

It is important that you find the right speech therapist who can provide you
with the correct exercises [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-exercises-for-adults/] and
speech therapy tools that can help stimulate your brain.

If you have never thought about or opted for speech therapy, you can start right
now with Stamurai. Give this state-of-the-art speech therapy a try.

A good speech therapist or speech therapy app can help you master fluency
shaping strategies and stuttering modification and apply them effortlessly while
you are speaking.

However, you need to be patient. If you have been stuttering for years, you need
to give speech therapy at least a couple of months before you can sense a
significant difference in your speech.

How the Brain Repairs Stuttering

As parents, when you notice your child stuttering, you may feel helpless,
guilty, and even anxious. You worry about their future, social life, career
options and so much more.

Parents begin to wonder what they can do to help their children. There are few
verified resources that can guide you. Most importantly, they assure you that
you don't have to face stuttering alone.

Here are 20 things you can do to help your child who stutters –

1. Learn About Stuttering
Learning more about childhood fluency disorders like stuttering will not only
help you, but it will also help your child. You can give the correct information
to your child and encourage them whenever necessary.

You can find verified information on stuttering causes, symptoms, and stuttering
treatment right here at Stamurai Blog [__GHOST_URL__/].

The more you know about stuttering, the more you can help your child.

2. Discuss Stuttering
Stuttering is not shameful and it shouldn’t be. It is time to talk openly about
stuttering with your child and the rest of your family.

Some children are unaware of their stuttering problem. If that's the case, you
may want to wait a while until they begin asking you questions about their
speech.

If your child seems perturbed by their uncommon talking style, make sure that
he/she can come to you with their questions. Create a safe space for your kid to
talk about stuttering and the feelings that come with it.

It will help your child to know that they don’t have to deal with it alone.

3. Establish Clear Communication
Take time off from working and social commitments to spend an hour with your
child. Establish an open line of communication, which is unhurried and
comfortable for the both of you.

A child who stutters needs parental support in every way possible. Be there for
your child physically and emotionally.

4. Talk To a Professional
Thankfully, the 21st century has made speech therapy options and stuttering
treatments [__GHOST_URL__/treatment/] accessible for children with stuttering.
Going to a clinic may not be an option for many parents or children out there.
However, you can always use Stamurai [https://stamurai.com/] from the comfort of
your home.

While most children under the age of 6 may gain fluency with the Lidcombe
Program, it is the responsibility of the parent to find the right therapist for
their child.

Therefore, consult a speech-language pathologist or speech therapist who
specializes in treating children with speech disorders. Find out all the
necessary details about the therapy your child may need.

5. Take Time to Listen
Research shows that paying attention to what your child has to say can boost
their confidence and self-esteem. What your child has to say is important. It is
more important than how s/he says it!

Don’t try to finish their sentences. Don’t say things like “relax,” “just
breathe,” “slow down,” or “you are talking too fast”.

Following these simple steps can help you encourage your child to develop
healthy communication skills.

6. Reduce Your Demands
If you are demanding too much from your child verbally, it’s time to reconsider.

Asking too many questions or telling them things like, “tell grandma what
happened during Jane’s birthday party” may demand too much from their speaking
abilities. It may lead to anxiety and a fear of speaking.

Reducing these demands may allow your child to relax and even enjoy speaking.
Decrease the pressures to see your child develop prudent communication skills,
even when they stutter.

7. Decrease the Time Pressure
There’s nothing worse than making your child feel that their speech is being
timed.

Always speak slowly and enunciate your words while talking to your child.
Moreover, make it a practice at home to take turns while talking. Minimizing the
interruptions while your child talks can help your child feel important,
confident and encouraged.

Make room for pauses in your own speech. Use your speech as a model for your
child. Your child will soon understand that they don’t have to rush, and ‘taking
a pause while talking’ is absolutely fine.

This will foster a healthy and supportive communication environment at home for
your child who stutters.

8. Empower Your Child
Accepting and trusting your child unconditionally may be challenging, but that
is exactly what they need when their speech is suddenly changing.

When you believe in your child and accept them for who they are, they will find
the courage to accept themselves, complete with their stuttering.

Your choices can empower your child to become independent thinkers. They can
live their lives with confidence despite their speech disfluency.

9. Become Supportive
We know that you are already doing a lot for your child. However, we urge you to
take one step further and stand up for him/her too.

You are best qualified to be your child's advocate. As you learn about the
stammering causes, stuttering treatments, and stuttering behaviors, you can also
tell others about it.

You can inform other parents and their class teachers about stuttering. You can
help make others more supportive and understanding about stuttering as well.

You will set a stellar example for your child in the process. They will learn to
stand up for themselves in the long run.

10. Stay Involved
Learning more about stuttering may not be enough. You need to be a part of your
child’s life.

Share their experiences, ask about school, and inquire about their friends. Talk
about how stuttering is impacting their life, friendships, classroom activities,
and academics.

Remember, your child knows best about how stuttering is affecting their lives.
So, be a good listener. Just knowing that you are there, taking interest in
their lives, will serve as an encouragement for your child.

11. Be Accepting
The most important fact for a parent to remember is that stuttering is only a
small part of who your child is. Stuttering doesn’t define or limit your child.

Your child may overcome stuttering with patience, exercise, and acceptance. Show
your child that your love and acceptance aren't conditional. You will love and
accept them irrespective of their fluency or disfluency.

12. Cut Yourself Some Slack
You and your family will require time to cope with the stuttering diagnosis and
its treatment. Stuttering treatment and therapy take time and effort. It is
alright to crave a break sometimes.

After a week of working hard, if you want to skip 20 minutes of speech exercises
on a Sunday to go have ice cream with your little one, that’s alright!

You must remember that you will have to take an uncountable number of small
steps with your child towards fluency.

13. Let Go
Your child understands their speech and disfluencies. As they grow older, they
will have to take responsibility for the way they speak.

It may be possible that your child understands that s/he sounds different from
other children, but s/he is happy with their speech. They may choose not to
continue their search for fluency.

If they are comfortable with their stuttering, it is not up to you to “perfect”
their speech. All you can do is be supportive of their decision.

14. Be Open to Changes
Changes can be difficult for you and your child. As the adult in the situation,
you must not forget that as your child goes through their tweens into their
teens [__GHOST_URL__/parental-guide-to-teenage-stuttering/] the purview of
stuttering may change.

Their motivation and goals will change too. Talking to their speech therapist
and staying in touch with their psychological counselor may help. However, be
sure to remain their companion in their journey.

Embrace the changes and be their support during times of transition.

15. Be Flexible
As your child edges towards adolescence, your role as a parent will change. Your
child will demand more space to make independent decisions. It is important to
respect their wishes while expressing your concern.

Establish yourself as their well-wisher, and advisor. You cannot expect them to
follow through with speech therapy simply because you want them to. You can only
share your opinion and advice.

It is up to you to foster an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect at home as
the parent of a teenager who stutters.

16. Take Small Steps
Stuttering treatment will take time. Determining what constitutes success will
require teamwork and tons of patience. After that, chalking a plan and following
it through will be a long haul.

Stuttering therapy isn’t a magic cure. You will receive considerable speech
training as the parent of a child who stutters. Learning and executing the
exercises with your child may take longer than you expect.

It may be a steep learning curve for some parents. Partnering with a speech
therapist who specializes in stuttering may be helpful for you and your child.

17. Make Stuttering Exercises Fun
Speech exercises may seem trite after a few days or weeks especially if your
child is young. School-aged children may benefit from a gamified experience of
stuttering therapy.

You may work with the speech therapist to create a fun therapy/exercise plan for
your child. Or, you can opt for personalizable and customizable stuttering
therapy apps that can encourage your child.

18. Follow the Progress
As a parent, keeping tabs on how your child is performing during speech
exercises [__GHOST_URL__/five-stuttering-exercises-to-help-your-child/] and how
their speech is improving every week is of paramount importance.

However, it may be difficult if you are new to this. Apps like Stamurai
[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stamurai.stamurai&hl=en_IN&gl=US] 
can help keep track of your child's improvements. You can check their progress
easily in the form of charts and consult the speech therapist based on the
reports.

Following their improvements will give you and your child the necessary impetus
to practice and reach fluency.

19. Stay In Touch With the Speech Therapist
If your child has a mild or severe stutter, it is your responsibility to take
feedback from their therapist frequently.

Depending on the age of your child, you can moderate your involvement. However,
make sure you are not intruding in their sessions.

Stay in touch to learn about their progress, and changing attitudes. Talk to the
speech therapist and counselor to learn more about your role as a supportive
parent of a child who stutters.

20. Stay Connected
While there are several groups for people who stutter, there are a few that
cater to parents and guardians of children who stutter as well.

You can get pertinent information regarding similar support groups
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/benefits-of-talking-to-other-people-who-stutter/] in your area
that operate virtually right now.

Participating and listening to other parents who have similar experiences may
present new opportunities for therapy for you and your child. It can also add to
your perspective about stuttering and individuals who grow up with a stutter.


These are the 20 steps every parent of a child who stutters should follow. These
are 20 simple changes that may change how you and your child view stuttering.

For Parents: 20 Steps to Help A Child Who Stutters

"I don't stutter when there's a lot of noise," "I speak without stuttering when
I can't hear myself speak" – no matter how bizarre these situations sound, it is
true that people who stutter (PWS) can indeed speak fluently when they can't
hear themselves speak.

Scientists believe that inadequate or faulty auditory feedback monitoring may be
responsible for the precipitation of stuttering. Alterations in auditory
feedback like delayed auditory feedback [__GHOST_URL__/daf-stuttering-guide/] 
(DAF), and frequency altered feedback (FAF) have been used to treat stuttering
for quite a few years.

Recognized speech therapists and researchers agree that blocking auditory
feedback may reduce or completely remove stuttering.

Sadly, the neuroscience behind the cessation of stuttering as a result of
auditory feedback blocking remains unknown.

According to Dr. Paul Sowman from Macquarie University, Australia, "anything
masking the sound of one's own voice can induce fluency temporarily."

What's The Link between Auditory Feedback and Stuttering?

A recent study
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1808869419301120#aep-article-footnote-id1] 
by Fiorin M, Marconato E, Palharini TA, Picoloto LA, Frizzo AC, Cardoso AC, et
al. shows that stuttering has a strong link to the deficit in the modulation of
the cortical auditory system. Inefficient auditory feedback monitoring results
in neurodevelopmental stuttering.

The test results showed that people with severe and moderate stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/understanding-degrees-of-stuttering-severity/] benefited from
masked auditory feedback.

Masking the sound of their own voice reduced the number of stuttering-like
disfluencies in both groups.

Why Don't I Stutter When I Can't Hear Myself SpeakQuote: Masking auditory
feedback can reduce the disfluencies in one’s speech

Masking auditory feedback significantly reduced the disfluencies of the people
who stutter severely
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/understanding-degrees-of-stuttering-severity/]. Masking also
reduced the flows of syllables and words-per-minute among the group of
individuals who stutter moderately.

In 2015, Adam Jacks and Katarina L. Haley published a study
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4987030/] on the auditory masking
effects on speech fluency among people with apraxia of speech (AOS) and aphasia
(APH). They conducted a study on 10 neurotypical individuals and 10 individuals
with AOS/APH.

Both AOS and APH impair an individual's ability to produce smooth speech. AOS
and APH may result in injuries or neurodevelopmental causes similar to 
stuttering [__GHOST_URL__/is-stuttering-biological-or-psychological/]. In many
cases, both conditions co-exist.

Disfluent speech is a characteristic of AOS and APH. Darley
[https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/10029832855/] (1968) described AOS as a disorder that
"sounds much like stuttering." Repetition is a common disfluency among
individuals with apraxia of speech.

The results of this study prove that masking auditory feedback induces and
increases fluency among individuals with AOS and APH.

Any condition overriding the affected individual's auditory feedback monitoring
may induce fluency.

How Does Masking Auditory Feedback Reduce Stuttering?

Although the exact reason for the temporarily induced fluency is largely
unknown, experts have stated that stuttering is associated with a faulty
auditory feedback process. When a person hears themselves stutter, their brains
automatically try [__GHOST_URL__/how-brain-repairs-stuttering/] to correct the
speech by increasing the rate of syllables/words produced per minute.

Masking the auditory feedback helps in overriding the auditory feedback. Masking
can be by wearing noise-canceling headphones and playing music to drown out
one's voice.

One can try speaking with headphones on when they have to give a presentation or
speech. We can see a popular rendering of the concept in The King's Speech
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/cultural-awareness-of-stuttering-through-the-kings-speech/] where
Colin Firth is urged by Geoffrey Rush to read Shakespeare out loud while
listening to music on headphones.

However, masking is not always a practical option, especially when conversing
with people. Masking auditory feedback is a temporary solution to stuttering
since it induces fluency as long as the person is unable to hear their own
voice.

Why Masking Auditory Feedback Isn't The Ideal Solution For Speech Disfluency?

Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental condition. It does not have a permanent cure.
Currently, there is no medication [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-medicine/] for
specifically treating stuttering.

Stuttering can make you feel helpless and angry. It might make you believe that
you are losing control of your speech. Even though there's no magic pill that
can remove your repetitions, prolongations, and blocks, you can gain control of
your speech back.

Masking auditory feedback is a technique that you can use for specific
situations like giving online lectures, or speaking to a large audience. In
social situations, you need to hear what your listeners are saying. Putting on
 headphones to mask the sound will create a communication barrier. Instead, you
can try DAF along with a combination of different speech exercises
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-exercises-for-adults/] to reduce your stuttering in
the long-run. Currently, there are several apps like Stamurai
[https://stamurai.app/z4HKmlNXigb] that offer speech exercises and DAF tools
that you can access while sitting in the safety and comfort of your home.

Why Don't I Stutter When I Can't Hear Myself Speak?

Sandra Merlo, a speech therapist from Brazil, observed that her speech became
worse after a few consecutive nights of poor sleep.

She is someone who has been stuttering since childhood. As she attended sessions
and learned more about speech therapy, she has better control over her
involuntary repetitions and blocks. Nonetheless, Merlo
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0021992419301303] notes
that without proper rest, she sees a spike in her stuttering the next day.

Next, she began asking her clients if they have noticed a similar relationship
between their sleep quality and stuttering. Most of their clients stated that
they had not noticed any link. However, after observing for a couple of weeks,
the same people reported that their stuttering did indeed become worse after a
poor night’s sleep.

Poor sleep hygiene may keep the brain from its ability to repair stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/how-brain-repairs-stuttering/].

So What Constitutes A Bad Night Of Sleep?
Several factors may contribute to poor quality of sleep, but how can you
understand if you had a good night’s sleep?

You Are Sleeping For Fewer Hours than Necessary
It is the most common cause of a poor night’s sleep in this era. We keep busy
schedules that demand late nights of work and early mornings as well. In
between, we can only squeeze in around 6 hours of sleep.

While for some people, 6 hours may be more than enough, for the average adult
population, it may be 2 hours too few.

Here’s how much sleep you should get each night –

 * Preschoolers – 14 hours
 * School-aged children and early teens – 10 hours
 * Teenagers and adults – 8 hours

If your child or you aren’t getting enough hours of shuteye, it is important to
consider rearranging your schedule and limiting screen time. Research shows that
using a blue light filter on your screens in the evening can help you fall
asleep at night.

You Are Sleeping Out Of Phase
Some people are early sleepers and some stay up till late at night. When the
same people have to stay up later or go to bed earlier than usual, they may not
feel equally rested the next day.

That happens because their sleep cycle is not in the usual phase as their
biological clock. Deviating from one’s biological clock can disrupt their sleep
phase
[https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12115-circadian-rhythm-disorders]
.

If you go to bed at a fixed hour, you should try to stick to that. It is
probably your natural circadian rhythm and your body is tuned to it by now.

If you need to change your sleeping hours due to work-related demands, you may
consider gradually changing it to the new hours.

People involved in shift-work, typically complain of feeling jet-lagged and
excessively sleepy during the day, for similar reasons.

People who stutter, report experiencing worse blocks, prolongations, and
repetitions when they experience sudden changes in their sleep schedule.

You Have an Irregular Sleep Schedule
You might be in deep trouble if you have an irregular sleep schedule. This is
more common among teenagers and young adults.

An irregular sleep schedule may mean that on certain nights, you are going to
bed at 10 PM and waking up at 6 AM, while on other nights, you are going to
sleep at 2 AM and waking up at 10 AM.

Irregular sleep schedules create pressure on the brain areas involved in the
processing and production of speech. Moreover, several studies
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3493205/] have linked it to mental
health diseases including depression and anxiety disorders.

You Have Signs of Sleep Apnea
Inadequate breathing may also contribute to poor quality of sleep. While it may
be temporary, there are pieces of evidence of sleep apnea in the teen and young
adult population as well.

Temporary causes may include upper respiratory tract infections and allergies.
Long-term causes of sleep apnea may include disorders like nasal septum
deviation, asthma, sleep apnea, and mouth breathing.

Not breathing properly while asleep may cause a person to wake up several times.
Waking up several times disrupts the sleep cycles and causes the person to feel
tired and sleep-deprived the next morning.

Can Insomnia Cause Brain Damage?
In 2010, Altena et. al. analyzed the brain images of adults with and without
chronic insomnia. There were 24 adults in the group who had insomnia. They were
between 52 and 74 years old. Results showed a significant reduction of grey
matter [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19782344/] in the precuneus and
orbitofrontal cortex of the brain.

Research shows that lesions in the precuneus may have a negative impact on 
speech therapy [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-fluency-shaping-techniques/]. The
orbitofrontal cortex connects to the entire brain and is responsible for
assigning emotional values to experiences.

That would explain why some people (insomniacs) who stutter experience such 
intense negative emotions
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-and-lasting-emotional-effects/] associated with social
interactions.

Damage to both the precuneus and orbitofrontal cortex from persistent sleep
deprivation may make recovery from stuttering extremely difficult. It may
contribute to a quick relapse in stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/high-relapse-after-stuttering-speech-therapy-understanding-the-reason/] 
after recovery.

How Does Sleep Deprivation Affect Speech-Related Behaviors?
While we sleep, our brain undergoes a deep detoxification process. Not getting
enough or good quality sleep can cause our brains to retain the harmful free
radicals.

Free radicals can cause oxidative stress. It can damage the cells irrespective
of their function. It may result in structural damage of the neurons. Neuron
damage is the first consequence of oxidative stress in the brain.

Persistent insomnia or poor quality of sleep may also alter the gene expression
inside the brain. These genes may be responsible for the production, and control
enzymes related to the speech pathways.

In 2002, Macey et al analyzed the brain morphology
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12421746/] of 21 men with and 21 men without
sleep apnea. The imaging study revealed multiple lesions in various parts of the
brain of the group who had sleep apnea.

One of the unilateral lesions was in the Broca’s area, which is linked to speech
production. The researchers also discovered that 8 of the 21 participants with
sleep apnea also had a history of stuttering.

Another set of bilateral lesions, which may be consequences of sleep apnea, was
visible in the posterior parietal cortex. Damage to the integrity of the
posterior parietal cortex may affect speech rehabilitation.

Studies [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3134324/] show that in
mouse models wakefulness and sleep affected the function of over 2000 genes.
Merlo's published work shows that there is a significant chance that sleep
disorders disrupt the on/off function of the genes related to speech and
stuttering in children with sleep disorders.

So What’s the Link between Poor Sleeping Habits and Stuttering?
Sandra Merlo's research reveals a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation and
stuttering. On one hand, people with inherent brain damage may develop sleep
apnea and insomnia. On the other hand, the brain anomalies caused by sleep
deprivation may worsen stuttering and pose challenges in speech therapy.

While getting 8 hours of sound sleep may not prevent stuttering, it may help
those who stutter learn and practice speech exercise techniques
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-fluency-shaping-techniques/] during therapy. Getting
enough rest may also reduce the stress on your muscles and allow you to relax
your jaws, neck and throat muscles while you speak.

There is really no good reason to not squeeze 8 hours of sleep at night. If you
are unable to sleep due to physical discomfort, anxiety or depression, you
should not neglect it. Consult a doctor, sleep specialist or clinical
psychologist as soon as possible.

Sleep & Stuttering: Is There A Link?

Living with stuttering is frustrating.

On some days, saying your own name feels like a challenge. On other days,
sharing with the support group seems like a walk in the park.

When living with stuttering, people begin to accept its unpredictable nature and
roll with it. Very few people stop and think about what may have influenced a
good or bad day of stuttering.

Those who do consider the factors find themselves in a sea of fads and 
misinformation [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-misconceptions/].

You may have already seen several blogs and articles stating the link between
diet and stuttering. There’s quite a bit on gluten-free food and placebo diets
and their effects on speech disfluencies in children.

However, it is difficult to find scientific proof backing up these claims.

Minerals and Stuttering: What’s there to Be Anxious About?
There isn’t a significant volume of research on the relationship between diet
and stuttering. Back in 2017, Hum, Rietveld, Wiedijk, and Lieshout published a 
pilot study [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28576291/] on the possible
relationship between the two. The team believed that there are empirical and
theoretical reasons to consider how copper metabolism in the brain may influence
stuttering.

Their online survey found that there is no discernible effect of copper or
thiamine on the frequency and severity of stuttering of the participants. There
was modest evidence to support the link between thiamine and copper consumption
via food and self-perceived anxiety.

Anxiety or stress does not cause stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/causes-of-stuttering-in-adults/]. Hence, there is no reason to
believe that an excess of minerals and amino acids in the diet can cause
stuttering in children or adults. Additionally, you can relieve your anxiety by
indulging in mindfulness meditation [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-and-meditation/] 
and yoga [__GHOST_URL__/yoga-exercises-for-people-who-stutter/], both of which
have proven to be excellent for treating stuttering
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-treatment-for-adults/].

Gut Bacteria and Stuttering: A Potentially New Dimension in Stuttering Treatment
There is no direct evidence that supports the claim that diet impacts
stuttering. However, we have to consider that stuttering is a multifactorial
disorder.

A number of neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain impact stuttering
including dopamine.

A study [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16246409/] on the impact of medications
that directly affect the dopaminergic and serotonergic mechanisms shows that 
medication [__GHOST_URL__/stuttering-medicine/], which downregulates the release
of dopamine may help reduce stuttering.

This shows that dopamine is one of the key factors that influence
childhood-onset fluency disorders like stuttering.

Groundbreaking research
[https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/_/PxwvEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA125&dq=dopamine+serotonin+diet] 
by Dinan, Butler and Cryan on gut bacteria highlights their ability to influence
the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Psychobiotics or the study of
micro-organisms with the ability to influence behavior may pave a new path for
the treatment of several disorders including stuttering.

It is indeed possible to increase or decrease the levels of “good” gut bacteria
by controlling the food one consumes. Who knows - following a particular diet to
increase the population of helpful bacteria and reduce the secretion of dopamine
in the brain may soon be one way to control one’s stuttering.

However, at this moment, the research is still at a nascent phase, and taking
control over stuttering via dietary modifications is still a hypothesis, albeit,
a highly realistic one.

What Food Should You Avoid To Prevent Worse Stutters?
There is evidence to establish  that if you consume a food you are allergic to,
it can make your stutters worse. However, there may not be a direct
relationship.

Allergens that irritate the airway can cause breathing difficulty and distress
in the person. It may mimic or even cause anxiety. It can further cause
gastrointestinal distress. All of these factors can make already existing
stuttering [__GHOST_URL__/is-stuttering-biological-or-psychological/] much
worse.

Similarly, consuming food that you are intolerant to can make you feel bloated
(For example, drinking milk or milk products if you are lactose intolerant). 
Excessive bloating [https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327057] creates
pressure on your diaphragm, trachea, and larynx. It can prevent you from
breathing deeply and comfortably. Shallow and fast breaths can cause one's
stuttering to worsen.

Patients with gastrointestinal acid reflux have reported feeling breathless and
compression around their throats. If you eat food that may cause digestive
issues, especially, severe acid reflux, it may be responsible for particularly
and unusually stubborn blocks in the mornings and post-meal meetings.

I Stutter - Which  Food Should I Eat?
As the research on psychobiotics progresses, we may find out what food groups or
diets are good or bad for stuttering. Until then, there is no way to confirm if
gluten-free food, casein-free diet, and no-carbohydrate diets have any direct or
indirect influence on the persistence and intensity of stuttering.

Having said that, it is very important that we eat from all the food groups. No
matter what type of diet you are following, you should ensure that you are
consuming all the necessary nutrients including essential proteins, good fats,
fiber, and enough carbohydrates.

There is a lack of evidence to clearly establish or completely deny the
relationship between a particular type of food and stuttering. So apart from
practicing your speech exercises
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-exercises-for-adults/] regularly, eat what keeps you
happy (but in moderation) and healthy!

Unless you have a deficiency disease or a disorder, you should consider having a
balanced diet daily.

Diet & Stuttering: Is There A Possible Cure?

Children accomplish a lot during the first 12-months of their lives. They should
babble within the first 6-months, and by their first birthday, they should say
their first word.

As a parent, it is only natural to worry if your child isn't saying as many as
20 words by the time they are 18-months old.

You must not forget that every child develops at their own pace, but it is
crucial to consider their developmental milestones. You can refer to a standard 
speech and language development checklist
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/children-speech-checklists/] to see how many boxes
your child is ticking off.

Few parents still practice the "wait-and-see" approach. We recommend consulting
with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) if your child is already showing signs
of speech delay [__GHOST_URL__/is-my-child-a-late-talker/].

When Should You Consult A Speech Therapist For Your Child?
Preschoolers often mispronounce words and have difficulty making complete
sentences. It's entirely normal! When young children begin to learn a language,
they experiment with different sounds, tongue, and lip movement to create new
words and explore new ways of putting words together to make sentences.

It is often difficult to tell simple mispronunciations apart from speech
problems in children.

Here are 17 common signs that your child requires speech therapy –

1.Your Child Isn’t Babbling
You should expect your child to begin babbling between the ages of 4-months to
6-months. If your 7-month old isn’t babbling yet, you need to check with your
pediatrician for auditory deficits.

If reports suggest that your child has proper auditory functions, it may be time
to meet with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to determine the course of
action.

Talking to a pediatric speech therapist can help you steer clear of the myths
surrounding speech delay
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/myths-speech-delay-children/] in children. A speech
therapist can also tell you all about the exercises you can do at home to help
your child’s speech and language development.

2.Your Child Has Been Stuttering
Stuttering can develop by the time your child is around 2-years of age.
Stuttering can resemble normal disfluency in children, but it is more frequent.

They may repeat whole words, one syllable, or block altogether before saying a
word. Toddlers typically show very few or no secondary behaviors of stuttering.

If your preschooler
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/stuttering-treatment-preschool-kids] has been
showing signs of stuttering for longer than a month, it’s wise to consult a
speech therapist.

3.Your Child Doesn’t Engage In Group Play
A child who prefers being alone or playing parallelly in the presence of
children their age may have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Modern medical
sciences have made early diagnosis of ASD possible to facilitate early
intervention.

Children with ASD may experience speech and language delays
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/speech-delay-vs-autism/], along with social
communication disorders. Engaging in speech therapy early on can equip your
child with the necessary skills to participate in social interactions and make
friends at school.

4.Your Child’s Voice Is Inconsistent
Maybe you have noticed that your child's voice is unusually hoarse or shrill.
Your child may also have a problem controlling the volume of their voice.

Occasionally, every child may suffer from a sore throat and hoarse voice. It is
common after cheering loudly at a ballgame or after too many ice Slurpees. So,
if this continues for longer than a couple of weeks, you may need to consult a
speech therapist.

Chronic dysphonia [https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/hoarseness.html] may
require speech therapy to bring the vocal cords back to their proper working
order.

5.Your Child Has Inconsistent Speech
Very young children often have incoherent speech. Sometimes, they make up new
words to express themselves. These aren’t concerning as long as their mistakes
are consistent.

Inconsistent speech may consist of the same word being spoken differently
throughout their speech. For example, your child may want to say "bye," but they
end up saying "tie," "pie," and "die."

These may be signs of childhood apraxia of speech
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/childhood-apraxia-of-speech-guide-for-parents/] 
(CAS). Early speech therapy may reduce the persistence of the signs and symptoms
later in life.

6.Your Child Doesn’t Point Or Gesture
By their first birthday, your child should be pointing at things and waving to
people. Some children gesture less often than others. However, if your child
doesn't gesture at all, you should talk to your pediatrician first.

The pediatrician may recommend speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or speech
therapists who can explore the possible causes.

Sometimes, it is an early sign of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Speech
therapy
for autism [__GHOST_URL__/speech-therapy-benefits-for-autism/] can
help a child develop speech and language skills significantly when started
early.

7.Your Child Is Making Phonological Mistakes
Is your 3-year old still saying “fum” in place of “thumb”? Are they also saying
“ba-wa-wa” instead of “ba-na-na”? Substituting words, omitting final consonants,
and simplifying sound combinations are articulation or phonological errors.

It is imperative to consult a speech therapist in these cases. These may be
signs that your child has weak articulatory muscles or they have trouble
coordinating the movement of their speech muscles.

Regular articulatory exercises
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/articulation-disorder-speech-therapy-exercises-for-kids-at-home/] 
can increase the strength of a child's speech muscles. Speech therapy can
improve a child's pragmatic language and social communication skills
significantly.

8.Your Toddler Cannot Follow Simple Instructions
Many children have trouble understanding multi-step instructions. However, if
your toddler doesn't respond to their name, struggles to follow simple
directions like "the truck is behind you" or "look at the TV," then it may be
concerning.

A toddler should be able to answer simple “what” and “where” questions. Just
like the lack of gesturing or group play, the inability to follow simple
directions may be a symptom of autism spectrum disorder.

Timely intervention with the help of a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can
help a child overcome the challenges that come with ASD. Attending sessions can
also help the parents learn more about speech
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/speech-therapy-exercises-for-children-with-autism/]
exercises for children with autism they can do with their children at home to
improve their speech-language skills.

9.Your Child’s Speech Is Difficult To Understand
By the time a child is 2-years-old, any stranger should understand their speech
50% of the time. By their 3rd birthday, their speech should be understandable at
least 75% of the time.

In case your toddler’s speech isn’t clear enough, you can talk to a speech
therapist.

Unintelligible speech can be a sign of several speech and language disorders.
The speech therapist can help you get a proper diagnosis. A professional can
also help them articulate their speech.

10. Your Child Has A Cleft Palate
Around 1 in 1600 children are born with a cleft palate in the US. It is a common
birth condition that can cause problems with feeding, drinking, and speaking.

If your child has a cleft lip with a cleft palate
[https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/cleftlip/], you should speak with
your pediatrician immediately. In several cases, surgery can correct a cleft
palate and restore normal articulatory functions in a child.

An older child may require speech therapy to learn or re-learn ways to produce
correct sounds while speaking.

11. Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Children with cerebral palsy
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751722208001303] (CP)
may have problems speaking if the palsy affects their mouth and speech muscles.
With continuing speech therapy, many children not only learn how to talk almost
clearly, but they can also learn how to chew and swallow safely.

Speech therapy for children with cerebral palsy (CP) aims to boost their
independence by encouraging them to express themselves. Speech therapy for
cerebral palsy may also teach your child alternative and augmentative
communication (AAC) methods, such as using picture boards.

12. Your Infant Has Down Syndrome (DS)
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which an individual has extra
chromosomal material (genes). It is characterized by distinct facial features
and developmental delays. Many cases of Down syndrome co-occur with intellectual
disability (ID).

Speech therapy for Down syndrome
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/speech-therapy-children-with-down-syndrome/] can
help your child develop the necessary speech and language skills. It can also
help with any eating, drinking, or swallowing difficulty that your child may
face due to Down syndrome.

Speech therapy for Down syndrome can equip your child with alternative and
augmentative communication methods like sign languages, picture boards, or
electronic-synthesized speech. Speech therapists can teach your child how to
speak clearly, and contribute to their communication skills, in general.

13. Your Child Isn’t Talking At School
Your child talks and shares their thoughts normally at home, but the moment they
enter school or is at the playground, they don’t speak at all.

It is common for parents to receive complaints from teachers and caregivers
about their children not speaking, if their child has selective mutism
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/selective-mutism-guide-parents/]. It is a severe
anxiety disorder that keeps children from speaking in social settings.

Traditionally, it is not a speech-language disorder. However, the intervention
of a behavioral therapist along with a speech therapist can help your kid
overcome their anxiety.

14. My Child is a Late-Talker
Pediatric speech and language therapy can help your child overcome any speech,
language, and communication challenges they face. Delayed speech
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/is-my-child-a-late-talker/] can be a sign of more
than one speech and language disorder in children.

15. Your Child has a Lisp
Lisping is quite common among children. Some children outgrow lisping once they
acquire language and conversation skills. However, if a 5-year old is still
pronouncing /s/, and /z/ as /th/, it’s time to consult a speech therapist.

Almost all types of lisps can go away with proper diagnoses of the causes and 
speech therapy
[https://stamurai.com/blog/frontal-lisp-speech-therapy-exercises/]. Without
proper treatment and therapy, lisping can persist during adolescence and 
adulthood
[https://stamurai.com/blog/lisp-in-adults-causes-and-how-speech-therapy-helps/].
It can take a toll on a person’s self-esteem and confidence.

16. Your Child has Difficulty Reading and Writing
If your 6-year old is still struggling to read simple, monosyllabic words, it
can be a serious issue. Same goes for similar-aged children who are having
trouble writing. If your child is saying things like, “the words are moving
around” or “the numbers won’t stay still”, you may be looking at a case of 
dyslexia [https://stamurai.com/blog/how-dyslexia-affects-speech/]. This
condition can affect a child’s speech as well.

Reading and writing disorders
[https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/written-language-disorders/disorders-of-reading-and-writing/] 
can include dyslexia, dysgraphia, reading disorder, reading disability, specific
reading disorder and specific reading comprehension deficit.

Speak to a speech language pathologist (SLP) or speech therapist in case your 
child has trouble reading
[https://stamurai.com/blog/online-speech-therapy-for-reading-readiness/],
writing or understanding what they are reading. Typically, continued therapy can
address these problems successfully. However, early intervention always helps
more than delayed actions.

17. Your Child has a Limited Vocabulary
Your 18-month old should have a vocabulary of 50 words and they should learn
around 10 to 20 new words per week. A 2-year old should begin to use two words
together to form short “sentences”.

Children between the ages of 2 and 3 years should know spatial concepts such as
“on,” “in,” “over,” and “under.” Take a look at this speech and language
checklist [https://stamurai.com/blog/children-speech-checklists/] to find out if
your child’s speech and language skills are developing at par with their age.

If your child isn’t using or learning new words as expected according to their
age, it’s time to speak to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or speech
therapist.


Why should you try speech therapy for children?
Speech therapy can help your child overcome developmental stuttering and
articulation disorders.

While conditions like childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)
[https://ghost.stamurai.com/childhood-apraxia-of-speech-causes-symptoms-treatment/]
, dysarthria, Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Cerebral Palsy
(CP) are not curable, speech therapy can help with the speech and language delay
that these conditions may cause.

Do not wait if you think that your child needs professional attention. Speak to
their pediatrician today if you don’t have recommendations for a speech
therapist!

Understanding the Signs that Your Child Needs Speech Therapy

Can masks delay speech and language development in children? Well, before we
dive deep into this topic, let us first understand the basics.

Research suggests that babies as young as 8-months begin lip-reading. They watch
individuals talk and begin to babble to mimic speech. Lip-reading gives the
babies access to visual cues of speech. Around this time, babies also begin to
realize which faces go with which voices. Babies born in a bilingual or
multilingual household lip-read more frequently than babies in monolingual
families.

So, could absence of opportunities for lip-reading affect speech & language
development in children? Read on to find out.

Why Is Lip-Reading Necessary For Children?
Current research shows that visible articulations support the development of
communication skills in children. Babies who lip-read more frequently reach the 
speech-language development landmarks
[https://stamurai.com/blog/children-speech-checklists/] at a young age!

Interestingly, once a child masters lip-reading
[https://www.pnas.org/content/109/5/1431] during infancy, it becomes the default
mechanism of processing spoken language when comprehension is difficult. For
example, in a loud and noisy environment, to understand the speaker, we often
resort to reading their lips to understand what they are saying.

In another study, researchers found that adults who speak multiple languages
lip-read more often while conversing in their second language. Adults often
resort to lip-reading when they face speech-in-noise, foreign language speech,
or accented speech.

Lip-reading is a necessary skill that all individuals acquire in their early
childhood. It aids and assists communication in adults.

How Does the Absence of Visual Cues Affect Language Development?
According to recent research
[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/014272379301303703], visually impaired
children develop speech and language at the same rate as sighted children.

While they begin by using a significantly large number of frozen phrases, they
slowly learn to use them in the correct context during two-way communication.

Speech and language development in children depends on multiple factors. One of
these factors is visual cues or lip-reading. However, multiple studies conducted
on the language acquisition of visually impaired children prove that speech and
language can develop normally even when the child is unable to see facial
expressions and lip movements.

Currently, there is a dearth of peer-reviewed material to support the claim that
using masks around children may cause speech and language delay.

Masks and Language Development in Children: What Can You Do To Boost
Communication Skills?
Parents and other caregivers do not have to wear masks indoors unless they are
symptomatic or in quarantine. It is only during outdoor visits or in daycare
that they have to be around masked adults. At home, they can play and interact
with, and watch adults speak without their masks on.

Since we should still follow standard guidelines issued by public health
authorities about wearing masks while stepping out, we can consider the tips on
mask-use provided by ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association).

According to ASHA
[https://www.asha.org/news/2020/asha-offers-tips-for-keeping-mask-use-from-hindering-communication/]
, here’s what you can do to aid communication while you are outside, wearing a
mask –

 1. You can use masks with a clear panel over the mouth. These are available
    online as well as at various stores.
 2. You may consider using face shields instead of masks whenever and wherever
    appropriate.
 3. Attract the attention of the listener/communicator before you begin
    speaking.
 4. Use your hands to aid communication.
 5. While talking to a child, make sure you speak clearly, so the words are not
    distorted or garbled.
 6. Always face the child while talking.

Stepping outside without a mask is not yet an option. You have to improvise and
adapt to make communication easier with children.

Can Masks Delay Speech & Development in Children?

"He doesn't talk much because his elder sister does the talking for him" – this
is something many speech-language pathologists hear. When a second or last-born
child has a speech language delay
[https://stamurai.com/blog/myths-speech-delay-in-children/], parents often say a
variation of this statement.

Studies show [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4452798/] that
later-born children do take longer to develop speech and language, but the delay
should not be significant.

So, does having a sibling always mean delayed speech and language development
[https://stamurai.com/blog/children-speech-checklists/]? Does it always come
with caveats?

Apparently not. Since a sibling can help with the speech and language therapy of
a child with speech or language disorder(s). While speech therapists can
interact with a child for a limited time and in-clinic environments, the child's
sibling has the opportunity to interact with them throughout the day at home, in
school, or during playtime.

How Can Siblings Help with Speech-Language Therapy at Home?
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) should always involve sibling(s) in the
therapy process if it is appropriate and convenient.

It will be beneficial to both or all the children involved in the process,
irrespective of their age and birth order.

Siblings Can Become Speech & Language Model
You may be teaching a child to construct longer sentences or say the /r/ words
correctly. However, you cannot see how well they are performing outside the
clinic setup.

You can teach their sibling(s) to talk slower, use longer and grammatically
correct sentences, and monitor their pronunciation at home or in school. During
games or regular conversations, their siblings can not only monitor progress but
also encourage them to practice more.

Siblings are typically supportive and motivating. SLPs can utilize this positive
relationship for the benefit of the child in therapy.

Siblings Can Help Teach By Taking Turns
Waiting for someone to finish talking or communicating is a very important
skill. However, children may become impatient and finish sentences for each
other or interrupt others.

With the help of a therapist, you can teach the sibling in question to wait for
their brother or sister to finish talking before they express their opinions.
You can also teach them the importance of not speaking for their brother or
sister if they experience a stuttering block.

Taking turns is a crucial skill that will help the children get along better
outside therapy.

Brothers or Sisters Can Help the Child Set Realistic Speech Therapy Goals
The same speech therapy exercises will not work for everyone. SLPs have to
tailor exercises and speech therapy goals for each child depending on their
needs, abilities, and progress.

While it is a challenging task to set appropriate goals each time, SLPs can do
so by talking to a sibling. For example, a therapist can ask, “When do you have
trouble understanding what your brother/sister is saying?” and they can say
something like, “when he/she is in front of other people, his/her voice is too
low and I don’t understand what he/she is saying at all.”

Conversations like these can give the SLP an idea about the real-life situations
that a child finds challenging. You can work with the therapist to set realistic
and appropriate goals for the child. You can also share new strategies that will
help them achieve these goals.

Siblings Can Help Overcome Social Anxiety
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a support system while facing emotionally
challenging situations. So, if your child in therapy has a sibling, rope them in
for extra help.

Social anxiety, shame, embarrassment, and fear are common accompaniments of
speech and language disorders. Teach the sibling(s) to be supportive. You can
also teach them how to role-play different social situations like ordering ice
cream, answering in class, or placing an order at a restaurant.

Brothers and Sisters Can Take the Responsibility for Continuing Therapy outside
Clinic Hours
Try to include siblings in the sessions. If they watch and learn the different
techniques the SLP is using with the child, they can carry them over at home or
school.

They can keep practicing
[https://stamurai.com/blog/exercises-speech-delay-toddlers/] among themselves.
During the next session, the therapist may even receive honest feedback from the
sibling about how well the child has performed in different situations.

Here’s how you can help your children help each other with speech-language
therapy at home –

1. Cultivate an Environment of Support and Encouragement At Home
It’s important to teach your kids to be supportive of each other, which can
begin by being “kind” to one another. Children often end up saying mean things
when they are hurt or annoyed. You can teach them to channel their negative
emotions healthily without using unkind words.

Open new channels of clear communication. Teach them to ask questions like, “how
are you feeling after school today?” or “did XYZ make fun of you again? How did
that make you feel?” Discussing feelings without using negative or hurtful words
is crucial in fostering a supportive and safe environment at home.

Tell them to appreciate one another, such as saying "Hey, you have really
improved at saying the S-sound" or "I love that speech therapy idea you just
shared"

2. Teach "Turn-Taking" To Minimize Interruptions
Taking turns to talk at home can address more than half of the problems children
face outside therapy sessions. When you teach your children to take turns
[https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_three_ts_of_communication_taking_turns_with_your_child] 
while talking at home, you are also preparing them to behave maturely in the
outside world.

If your children are young, you can use a stuffed toy or a toy microphone to
signify a sharing time. Whosoever has the toy gets the chance to talk. Ensure
that all the kids at home and even the adults follow this process at least once
per day. Everyone should get the same number of chances if necessary. They can
pass the toy back and forth whenever necessary to share their opinion.

3. Teach Active Listening To Siblings
Active listening includes making eye contact, reacting empathetically, asking
probing questions about the subject matter, and remaining intrigued but
non-judgmental. Although it sounds like a lot, children are naturally empathetic
and non-judgmental.

While it is difficult to teach all these qualities to very young children, one
of the easiest ways is to model active listening
[https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-active-listening-3024343] for them.
Whenever one of your children is sharing a story, listen with your ears, eyes,
mind, and body language. Very soon, your children may begin to listen to each
other actively like "mommy" or "daddy" does.

4. Teach Them New Games and Fun Activities That Will Enhance Speech and Language
Skills
Your child’s speech therapist is the best resource person for this task. Request
them to have a session with all your children and teach them fun activities and
games that can enhance language skills.

Keep a close watch or participate in these at-home activity sessions whenever
you find the time! There is no better way to spend quality time with your
children and contribute to their language therapy.

Speech therapy at home is never trite if the child has a brother or sister to
keep them company. Involve your children in speech therapy activities together
to create a safe and communication-positive environment at home. Siblings are
natural support systems for each other, and they can help each other improve and
grow!

Speech Therapy: How Siblings Can Help at Home

It's time to accept that a new phase of the pandemic is right around the corner.
While it's difficult for adults to continue wearing masks, and maintain social
distancing protocols, the pandemic is taking a heavier toll
[https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00027-4] on children.

The "new normal" for most infants and toddlers include increased screen time,
interaction with immediate family members, and restricted time outdoors.
Millions of toddlers have spent the crucial years of learning indoors without
much interaction with friends, family, and teachers.

How has the Pandemic Hampered Child Speech & Language?
You may say that your child is spending time on their tablet or iPad playing
educational games. But, the truth is that children who began school in 2020 
needed
[https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/new-pandemic-adversely-affected-young-childrens-development-with-fewer-reaching-expected-levels-by-the-end-of-reception-class] 
more support as compared to children who started the previous years.

According to the reports, the now-toddlers, who began attending pre-school in
2020 needed additional support in the areas of speech, language, and
communication. The increased screen time coupled with restricted real-life
interactions significantly affected their progress towards age-appropriate 
speech-language milestones
[https://stamurai.com/blog/children-speech-checklists/].

55 out of the 57 schools surveyed
[https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Impact_of_Covid19_on_School_Starters_-_Interim_Briefing_1_-_April_2021_-_Final.pdf] 
by the Education Endowment Foundation in 2021 said they were "extremely
concerned" about the children's language & communication skills development.
They also stated that they were very concerned about the child's social,
emotional, and personal development. These are all skills that depend upon the
speech, language, and communication abilities of a child.

Why Should You be Concerned?
First, we would like to tell you that if you have a toddler now, and you have
been trying to help augment their language & communication skills, you are
already doing a great job! You have done your best to shield your child from
infections during the pandemic. The COVID 19 pandemic has reduced the number of
accessible activities for parents & children. It has been a challenge for all
doting parents across the globe.

Sadly, social distancing and quarantine protocols have reduced a child's
exposure to new experiences and new vocabulary. For example, a child born right
before or during the pandemic may not have experienced trips to the zoo, park,
or farms. They do not know the words that we would typically use during these
trips. It can result in temporary speech delay
[https://stamurai.com/blog/causes-of-speech-delay-in-children/].

The children may not have visited their grandparents or other family members
during the first 2-years of their life. They may have missed out on learning new
interactions and new vocabulary while meeting friends & family members. Children
are experiencing noticeable delays in speech & language development due to
limited exposure to new environments and experiences.

It is a cause for concern since a 2 to 3-years-old child’s vocabulary can
predict their performance at school.

How Have Masks Affected Children’s Communication Skills?
While adults should be wearing masks around children due to the rise in the
number of new COVID 19 cases, it may deter speech development in children. 1 in
5 preschool-aged children have glue ear
[https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/glue-ear/]. It is a middle ear infection that can
be painful. However, glue ear also affects a child's hearing.

The lack of immediate access to pediatricians and ear-nose-throat (ENT) experts
has caused several children to spend a prolonged time with temporary hearing
loss during the pandemic. In such cases, it is crucial for children to see how
lips move to create sound.

Face masks have not only created a barrier
[https://stamurai.com/blog/masks-speech-development-in-children/] to speech
development, but they have also deterred a child from reading facial
expressions. Facial expressions are crucial to understanding the meaning and
intention behind every word. Masks have contributed to noticeable mislearning
and misunderstanding among children. Constant use of masks while interacting
with children has also impacted a child's social and emotional skills.

What Can Parents Do To Help After the Pandemic?
As soon as the restrictions ease up, seize the opportunity to take your child to
the park, zoo, aquariums, and nearby farms. Give them the chance to learn new
words, emotions, and interactions. If your child is older than 3-years, you can
apply the same principles. However, hold conversations with them about topics
that interest them.

Listed below are a few tips and strategies to help your child's speech-language
development
[https://stamurai.com/blog/activities-encourage-speech-language-development-children/] 
post-pandemic –

Restrict Screen Time
First things first! Once there’s the scope for taking your child out to meet new
people, reduce their screen time. It can be a difficult task, especially if your
child has been spending their days glued to a screen. You need to cut down their
screen-time 10-minutes at a time and replace it with interactive activities that
your child enjoys.

Increase Real-Life Interactions
Check with the local petting zoos, aquariums, city farms, and gardens. Take your
child to new places; let them experience new adventures.

Describe what you see. Make and mimic animal noises. Focus on your child’s
reactions. Laugh with them and spend time with them.

If there’s a local park where children go to play, take your child there. Let
your child figure out how to share, talk, and interact with other children their
age.

Offer New Experiences
Whether it is introducing them to playgroups or setting up playdates at home,
you need to expose your child to new experiences. Of course, you must ensure
that the parents and their children are healthy and not infected.

Once the new wave of infections dies down, get in touch with the moms in your
area to set up playdates for your child.

Read With Them
Replace a significant part of their screen time with reading time. If your child
is old enough to point, say "yes/no" and name a few colors - begin reading with
them.

Pick children’s books with interactive features. Some books have music, while
others may have pop-ups and coloring options. Take the opportunity to read with
your child. Ask them simple questions. Allow them to point to the characters.
Encourage them to color whenever a page calls for it.

Talk To Them
Make it a practice to narrate your movements and tasks across the house. You may
be doing the dishes, watering the plants, or teaching the dog how to fetch.

Irrespective of what you are doing, describe it to them using child-friendly
words.

Practice this while preparing a bath, bathing your child, feeding them, or
playing with them. Narrate their activities so they know the exact words for the
actions.

Teach Functional Words For Communication
If your child doesn't yet know enough names of colors and shapes, it's alright!
Even a 3-year-old can learn that when they go back to school.

What your child really needs is a vocabulary of communicating words. These can
include common words we use daily, such as "more," "hungry," "thirsty," "want,"
"hurt," "stop," and "go."

Developing communication skills can begin with small steps at home. Teach your
child functional words while playing with them, feeding them, or bathing them.

Describe Speech Sounds
When you are saying a new word, describe its sound. It may sound weird, but it
can help a child distinguish between the "/p/," "/b/," and "/d/" sounds.

For example, you say, "the dog is going for a walk. D-for dog." Or, "we are
going to have nuggets for dinner. Nugget-T-T-T"

It is common for children up to the age of 4 to confuse different consonant
sounds. This simple exercise will help them learn the correct pronunciation as
well as their spellings.

If your child continues to show signs of speech delay, speak to an SLP
[https://stamurai.com/blog/online-speech-therapy-for-speech-delay/] or speech
therapist ASAP.  Gather authentic information
[https://stamurai.com/blog/myths-speech-delay-in-children/] on speech delay in
children. Avoid the common pitfalls
[https://stamurai.com/blog/mistakes-parents-make-when-children-have-speech-delays/]
.  You may also consider practicing speech therapy exercises
[https://stamurai.com/blog/exercises-speech-delay-toddlers/] for speech delay in
toddlers at home.