This October raises awareness of stammering and stuttering. National Awareness days.com is helping to inform that stammering is about more than just struggling to say what you need to say.
International Stammering Awareness day brings together individuals, groups and stammering associations to accurately educate the general public about stuttering. Stuttering is a communication disorder that interrupts the flow of speech and can lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration and can affect confidence. It is crucial that the public understand the condition as precisely as those who stutter understand it. For example, it affects four times as many males as females?
The awareness day began in 1998 as an alliance between speech-language professionals and consumers. The awareness day is designed to highlight the effect that stuttering has on the lives of individuals.
The colour of the day is sea green. People who stammer are encouraged to adorn themselves with the colour sea green to integrate the traditional ‘peace’ of the colour blue and ‘liberation’ of the colour green.
Stammering Awareness Day also aims to eradicate stammering stereotypes and false impressions of ‘cures’ for this speech impediment. There is no miracle cure but therapy can be incredibly helpful.
Carly Simon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Nicholas Brendon, Lewis Carroll and Marilyn Monroe were all sufferers who managed to go on and have very successful careers.
The British Stammering Association is supporting the day and has lots of information and advice about stammering. For example:-
In conversation with a person who stammers.
- Be patient. Most people who stammer strongly prefer to speak for themselves. You may be tempted to finish a person’s sentences or ‘fill in’ words but this does not help.
- Remember that it is OK to stammer. Don’t give advice such as: ‘slow down’, ‘take a breath’, or ‘relax’. Maintain natural eye contact, listen, and wait patiently until the person has finished speaking.
- Be a good listener. Let the speaker know, by what you say and do, that you are listening. Try to actively convey a relaxed and accepting attitude as any obvious discomfort that you show will only increase the discomfort of the person who stammers. Focus on what the person is saying, not how they are saying it.
- Remember that stammering varies. People who stammer can have most difficulty when starting to speak and less difficulty once underway. Don’t be surprised if a person stammers more in some situations than others. The telephone, speaking in front of a queue or in earshot of others can cause increased difficulties.
- Remember that stammering is not caused by nervousness. While a speaker may appear nervous, keep in mind that the nervousness is a result of embarrassment about their stammering rather than a cause of it.
- If you are not sure how to respond, ask the speaker – but always do this sensitively and in a way that leaves the speaker in control. This might involve asking an open question such as, “Is there anything I can do to make this easier for you?” Or, if someone is stammering severely, closed questions such as “Would you prefer to go somewhere quieter?” or “Would you prefer to write this down?”
Please note that the tone of these questions is very important. Bear in mind, too, that some speakers may be uncomfortable talking about their speech, but many would welcome your respectful interest. - In conclusion…
Try to empower the person by offering a choice rather than imposing your solution. Always err on the side of being patient and giving the person the opportunity to speak for his/herself.
For more information go to: Stammering.org website
Written by Rachel Harrison, speech and language therapist, on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services.
