HOW TO SUPPORT A STUTTER

Does your child or anyone you know stutters and you have been wondering how you can support them?

Do you know nervousness can cause stuttering?

Stuttering which is also referred to as STAMMERING as explained by J. Scott Yaruss, associate professor in communication science and disorders at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and co-director of the Stuttering Center of Western Pennsylvania as a communication disorder generally characterized by involuntary disruptions in the flow of speech. These disfluencies can take many forms, such as repetitions of parts of words (li-li-like this) and moments when a sound or a period of silence is prolonged (lllllike this or l-----ike this).

The onset of the disorder, which can be gradual or relatively sudden, generally occurs during the period of rapid development in a child's language skills, motor skills, temperament, and social interaction, which is most likely to be discovered as early as age two in most children.  It has been said that some children outgrow stuttering over time, while the causes of this developmental stuttering are not well understood. 

Stuttering usually first appears between the ages of 18 months and 5 years. Therapists say, between 75-80% of all children who begin stuttering will stop within 12 to 24 months without speech therapy. If your child has been stuttering longer than 6 months, they may be less likely to outgrow it on their own.

 Language skills, motor skills and TEMPARAMENT is associated with stuttering. Because of the difficulty, if left untreated the child with a stutter may have difficulties with: Learning to talk, speech intelligibility and clarity. Self esteem and confidence when they realize their skills do not match their peers. Bullying when others become more aware of a child's difficulties.

But, there is a good news. You can help your child or whoever around you that stutters by giving them adequate support, as research has described the roots of stuttering to have been attributed to a number of causes: emotional problems, neurological problems, inappropriate reactions by caregivers and family members, language planning, and speech motor difficulties, among others, which may later affect their communication ability. 

As a Muslim, it has been observed that those who stutter never have difficulty while reciting Qur'an during prayers or general recitation. This is because those individuals have been able to memorize the words and are saying them from heart. Here is one beautiful thing about stuttering, if the stutter is more patience and takes the time to THINK about what they want to say before saying it, or have a mind vision of their words, they will be able to suppress the stutter, as it has been noticed that most people who don't normally stutter, stutters when they speak in public as a result of nervousness, thereby speaking faster more than what their mouth can cope with. In a more relaxed environment, stutters hardly stutter.

Most parents panic whenever they notice their child stutters and they make it worse for the child to cope or manage the condition. Some even label the child and treat them differently. This is why we need more awareness on how to SUPPORT a stutter and why stutters need to be empowered to gain confidence in communication, which will help build their self-esteem and general well-being as there are link of anxiety attached to this condition if not well managed. 

These are how you can help break this lack of awareness and ways that you can Support a STUTTER.

1. Learn about stuttering and how to identify someone who stutters so you can be more empathetic.
2. Talk openly with the stutter.
3. Empower stutters on how to cope.
4. Provide direction and support.
5. Choose appropriate therapy. 
6. Accept your child's stuttering, if you have a child that stutters.
7.  Whenever you find yourself around someone who stutters, release ownership and let them be themselves.

If you have a child that stutters, don't  feel bad about it, instead provide support for your child, and create awareness to those around your child. Misguided parental attitudes are risk factors for anxiety and low self-esteem.

Here are ways to EMPOWER your child

• You can help yourself understand your child's journey by gaining more knowledge about stuttering
• Try to provide a relaxed environment.
• Set time aside to talk with your child.
• Encourage your child to talk to you about fun and easy topics.
• Try not to react in a negative way. Instead, praise your child for correct speech.
• Don't interrupt your child while he or she is speaking.
• Speak slowly to your child. This may help him or her to also speak slowly.
• Pay attention to your child when he or she speaks.
• Wait for your child to say words or sentences without saying them for him or her.
• Talk openly about the stuttering if the child brings up the subject.
• Be prepared for unexpected changes.
• Remind your child how beautiful and unique he/she is. 

And if you are the one who stutters, always remember that you are UNIQUE and brave enough to express yourself. Take a deep breath and take as much time as you can to be yourself. Adopt self-help, as it is a very good therapy to feel relaxed, and gain your confidence, try as much as possible to not lose your tempers. 

I hope these tips help you. Please share with your friends and families, help create awareness on how to support stutters.

There is no cure for stuttering. But early treatment may keep stuttering from continuing into adulthood. It is critical that a child who stutters feel accepted and supported by the important adults in their life.

You can read more HERE.

Ignorance is the greatest barrier to growth and right help, now that you are AWRAE, please with your friends. Leave your comments, your experience or knowledge about stuttering.

Thank you!