Click here to learn the easiest & fastest way

to stop your stuttering

 Chapter 1: What is Stuttering

Chapter 2: The Emotional Effects of Stuttering On Children

Chapter 3: How Parents Can Help Stop Stuttering

Chapter 4: When Should Your Stuttering Child See a Specialist

Chapter 5: Is There A Miracle Cure For Stuttering Among Kids?

What is Stuttering

Stuttering is a
speech disorder
where the
individual's natural
flow of speech is
disrupted by
frequent repetitions
or prolongations of
certain sounds,
syllables and
words. Sometimes,
this makes it
impossible to even
start a word.

Aside from difficulty in speaking, this is usually accompanied by raid eye

blinks, tremors of the lips or jaw and in the upper body. Stress makes the
situation even worse when he or she has to speak to a large crowd or talk
on the phone. However, this changes when one is singing or speaking
alone.

This disorder is also known as stammering. It should be pointed out that

this is different from two other speech disorders namely cluttering and
spasmodic dysphonia.

Studies show that there are 3 million Americans that stutter. This starts at
the age of 2 to 6 since this is the time that they are still developing
language. This ratio between boys and girls is 3 to 1. The good news is that
many children outgrow this and only a small percentage of those who suffer
are adults.

To prove a point, some of the best speakers in the world that had stuttering
in their early childhood include Bruce Willis, Carly Simon, James Earl
Jones and Mel Tillis. You may not believe it but these people overcame this
challenge.
But what causes people to stutter? There are many forms and some
scientists believe that this is genetic because it is developmental. Others
argue that this is neurogenic which means that signal problems between
the brain and the nerves causes this to happen.

As a result, the brain is not able to coordinate properly the different

components of speech. This can also happen if the person suffered from a
stroke or other form of brain injury.

Stuttering may also originate in the mind or what is known as psychogenic

but this only accounts for a small number of sufferers.

The best person to diagnose if you are stuttering is with the help of a
speech language pathologist even if it is quite obvious by how you speak.
This person is trained to conduct a variety of tests so it will be easy to
prescribe proper treatment.

But at present, there is no available cure for stuttering. Treatment can only
improve the person's condition given that the majority of those who stutter
are "behavioral."

The program is designed to teach the patient to monitor the rate at which
they speak. They will also learn to say words slower usually short phrases
first until such time that they can speak much faster and longer sentences.
Follow up sessions are needed to prevent relapse making this a life long
problem.

Aside from the patient, the parents should also be educated so they know
what to do when you stutter. It is best that they provide a relaxed home
environment that allows the child to speak. If the child should stutter, they
should refrain from criticizing as this has negative effects. Parents can also
help by speaking slowly and in a relaxed manner as this will also be
followed.

Some doctors have utilized medications and electronic devices to treat

stuttering. Unfortunately, the use of drugs often causes side effects and
relying on a machine makes it hard to carry around especially when there
are other people around.
The Emotional Effects of Stuttering On Children

Many people don't realize it but stuttering greatly affects the emotional state
of a person, especially that of a child. The emotional effects of stuttering on
children alone are very much devastating on his or her emotional health.
Not only that, stuttering unfavorably affects not just a child's social skills but
his or her communication skills as well.

Because of stuttering, many kids think that making friends and building
relationships become very disappointing and sometimes traumatizing.
Having to live through stuttering at this stage in a person's life is very
awkward and painful.

Friends also don't come easy for children with stutters according to
research kids with a stutter often have to cope up with bullying from peers
and classmates.

Studies say that 40 percent of school-aged kids who suffer from stuttering
reveal that they been a victim of teasing, bullying, name-calling and worst
of all, experienced physical harassment because of their condition.

They confess that just because they don't speak too well, other kids simply
don't respect them and don't listen when they try to say something. The
tendency of this
inability to express
one's self is for
stuttering kids to be
introverts, always
veering away from
crowds who might
judge and tease
them.

Majority of school
administrators also
agrees that children that stutter are bullied 82 percent of the time inside the
classroom, within the school vicinity, and even outside the school premises.
This is because many kids without speech problems try to make fun of
them especially when there's no adult nearby.

Kids get their self-confidence and esteem from the people around them,
people like their families, authority figures or people outside their family unit
that they look up to and of course their localized peer group. As children
become more mature, the influence that their friends have on them steadily
increases and the need to be part of a bigger stratum in society becomes
more prevalent.

Children suffering from stuttering are often set aside and picked last or not
picked at all to join any of the related activities of a certain group. This
makes them feel that they are unwanted, resulting to low self-esteem, lack
of self-confidence, mood swings, lack of initiative, depression attacks, and
a weak personality in the long run.

What can be done?

Parents and teachers can greatly help a lot to lessen the emotional effects
on shuttering on children. This is because they can directly affect how the
child with stuttering problems think and socialize with others.

For parents, they should always give their full support to their kids that
suffer from stuttering no matter what. They should be able to explain to
their kids what is their condition, its causes, how it happens, and what
could be done about it to make kids feel that they are not alone in dealing
with the problem.

Parents must always provide their kids an environment that where they can
feel safe, loved, and nurtured for them to overcome the condition at their
own pace.
Teachers can also play a big role in helping minimize the effects of
stuttering on kids. This is by extending a helping hand and more patience
to child in the school setting.

Teachers must realize that kids who stutter tend to lose self esteem quickly
so they must do something to make the child understand that he or she is
not inferior compared to other classmates.
How Parents Can Help Stop Stuttering

Above all else, parents are the primary set of people who can greatly help
kids who have stuttering problems. This is because they can directly
influence the way children act and think.

For parents to better aide their children the best thing that could do is that
to make sure that their children is at peace with his stutter and develop a
strong personality even with the stutter issues.

Tips for parents

Parents must also realize first that the emotional effects of stuttering in
children can be very devastating if not dealt with correctly. The following
are just some of the tips parents can use in helping their kids understand
that stuttering is not the end of the world and they can definitely do
something to overcome the condition:
1. Make the kids understand what is stuttering. Explaining to kids what is
stuttering and why this happens can greatly help them to understand and
accept their condition. Make them understand that this speech impediment
not only happens to him or her but to many people as well. Once the child
understands why is this happening, acceptance will follow which will make
it easier for both parties to undergo alternatives and measures to overcome
and fully treat the condition.

2. Instill positive reinforcement in your kids. Although kids are very positive
in nature, they easily get depressed and distracted if people do not
constantly guide and monitor them. If you have a child who suffers from
stuttering, chances are they are losing his or her self-esteem slowly.

Once they have low self-confidence, it will be harder to get their

cooperation in treating the condition. The best way to avoid losing self
esteem among kids is for parents to instill in them that there is nothing
shameful about stuttering and the best way to deal with it is though
acceptance.

Parents must make the kids understand that accepting the fact that they
suffer from a speech impediment such as stuttering is indeed the first step
to curing the condition.

Once the child has accepted his or her speech problem, he or she will be
free from the chains of suffering and low self-esteem. Also, once the child
is at peace with the idea that he or she stutters, the child will openly accept
whatever teasing and insult is thrown at him without getting depressed so
much.

3. Explain to the child that stuttering does not make him or her inferior to
anybody. In kids, the major effect of stuttering is losing self-esteem that
stem from their inability to express themselves freely. By telling your child
that he or she is not inferior to anybody because of the condition, the child
will realize that there is nothing so embarrassing about the condition and
will make him or her exerts more effort in communicating effectively.
4. Always focus on your child's skills and potential and not on the speech
problem. Instead of focusing on the negative effects that stuttering may
have on his social and relationship skills, focus instead on the good points
that they have when making social contact. Many kids who suffer from
stuttering can overcome their condition when given proper encouragement
and support.

5. Give your full support all the way. Parents should comprise the foremost
support group of kids who suffer from stuttering. Knowing that you are part
of his support group, that you will always be there no matter what and
knowing that you will always accept him despite his condition will give him
enough support to move on and aspire for greater things in life.
When Should Your Stuttering Child See a Specialist

Babies are not able to speak yet for

the first few years after they are
born. However, if the child is
already 5 years old and is still
stuttering, perhaps you should
already see a specialist.

Some instances that merit the

need to see a specialist include
repeating whole words or
phrases, sound and syllable
repetitions start to happen more
often, an increase in the
prolongations of words, the
child's speech begins to be effortful or strained, an increase in facial
tension or tightness in the speech muscles, vocal tension resulting in high
pitch or loudness, the child chooses to avoid speaking and other facial or
body movements that go along with stuttering.

The specialist who will see your child is a called a speech language
pathologist. This person is trained in human communication, its
development and the various disorders including stuttering. Most
individuals have a master's degree and must pass a state certification or
licensure exam in order to practice as well have a certificate from the ASHA
or American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. If the doctor is not
around, a speech assistant can help out.

It is hard to ask your friends the name of a specialist. Fortunately, you can
turn your attention to the Stuttering Foundation of America who will be able
to provide you with the name of a pathologist. You may also check out the
nearest university, hospital or clinic for assistance. These places will offer
testing and therapy for those who are stuttering.
At home, you should be very understanding with your child by talking to him
or her slowly and encouraging the other family members to do the same.
Give them some quality time so they can ask questions and you should
wait at least a second or two before giving your response. Just don't make
the mistake of speaking too slowly since this will sound strange.

The most challenging thing to do is not being upset or annoyed when the
stuttering increases. Remember you are already getting help and it takes
time for the child to learn new skills and overcome this situation.

You should also reassure your child because if you think that you are the
only one who feels frustrated, they feel it too.

There are 3 basic categories of stuttering and the second and third
category will need the help of a professional because you don't have the
expertise to do this on your own.

Some parents wait several months before doing anything but you don't
have to wait that long. You can do a simple test by observing your child for
ten minutes when he or she is very talkative.

If the child stutters more than three times and there is a history of this in the
family then you need to seek the help of a speech language pathologist.

There is no cure yet for stuttering. The only thing professionals can do is
treat it. If you talk to someone who claims that they have a cure, don't buy
it. If you have tried one form of therapy and it does not work, don't give up
because there are others you can try.

You should not take any chances if your child stutters because you are not
sure if he or she will be able to outgrow this like others have in the past.
Is There A Miracle Cure For Stuttering Among Kids?

Most of the time people

look for easy fixes and
miracle cures for a lot of
different illness and
diseases. In a lot of
instances people are
asking to be rid of their
sickness without really
understanding what the
symptoms and causes of
the illness is.

People are easy to think that a miracle cure can help them save the day.
The truth is the no miracle cure for AIDS, there is no wonder drug for HIV
and as true as those two truths can be, there is no cure for stuttering.

Stuttering is a speech impediment that causes a person to repeat or

prolong the syllables, a word or a single phrase in their statement. This is
often caused by severe anxiety, over excitement, self consciousness,
embarrassment and stress.

People who are put in a hot seat situation often times stutter and stammer
for the words to say. People who experience stuttering may experience it
as a self-defense mechanism. Adults who have most likely developed
stuttering as a defense mechanism also suffer from low self esteem, lack of
self confidence, weak personality and weak communication skills.

Most of the time children who have developed stuttering outgrow it in their
early toddler years. Children develop stuttering at the time that they are just
about learning how to speak.
The reason behind is that they are yet to be familiarized with the different
textures of sound and they are comfortable in reciting the words or phrases
that they find most convenient to them.

Children who are well observed and guided outgrow stuttering without any
problems, but for children who do not out grow stuttering there are some
factors that contribute to it. One may be the child's confusion in the
language usage.

Multi-lingual families often have this kind of setback in the speech

development of a child, especially when the child is exposed to different
words of different etymologies.

Families having and using different dialects or languages to communicate

makes it difficult for a child to learn which one language they need to use.

Another problem or factor is the child's ability to receive proper coaching

and encouragement from parents, children who are rarely monitored by
parents often never over come their stuttering because no one was there to
help them out. Stuttering in adults causes serious social issues, all of it
could have been detected and taken care of as children when they were
developing.

For parents, finding the time to stimulate and motivate your children to
develop their esteem and their communication skills helps a lot in changing
the way people talk. People with stutters of ten need help early on.

Lastly, one of the major factors that contribute to development of stuttering

is the refusal of parents to submit their children to professional help. Some
parents, especially those with close minds find it a disgrace to them as
parents to have a child with defects.
Considering the lack of communication skills in a child is considerable
defect which constitutes to abnormality. Though a rarity nowadays people
who are stuck in the medieval times still think it is god's punishment to have
children with defects.

The real cure for stuttering is knowledge and understanding, there are a lot
of speech therapy classes and facilities that specialize in helping people
with stutters live a normal life and all it takes is for people to understand.

You do NOT need to spend energy using 'will power' to control your
speech consciously, there is a scientific reason why people stutter,
and you'll learn how to stop it for good.

Click here to learn the easiest & fastest way

to stop your stuttering