Later this month - on October 22nd - we celebrate International Stuttering Awareness Day! Continue reading to uncover some important facts, common misconceptions & an SLP’s tip for how to best to communicate with someone who stutters…

Pop Quiz! Of the following four individuals, which does NOT experience stuttering?

• Singer Ed Sheeran

• President Joe Biden

• Actress Emily Blunt

• Golfer Tiger Woods

The answer is ALL of them experience stuttering! In fact, over 70 million people worldwide stutter, as well as over 3 million people in the United States.

For those unaware about stuttering, there can be a LOT of misunderstanding around the subject. It is often believed to be psychologically or emotionally caused. Some even believe it is caused by stress. However, research shows that stuttering is neurological in origin. People who stutter may have small differences in the way their brain works during the act of producing speech. There are also genetic roots; meaning, it can be passed down in families.

Another misconception about stuttering is that people who do so are almost always shy or self-conscious. Nope- not the case! The community of those who stutter disprove this all the time (refer back to that list above)! There are many more, too, who are in positions of leadership, are public speakers and experience stuttering.

Check out these other quick & fun facts regarding stuttering:

• Boys are more likely to stutter than girls.

• Stuttering has nothing to do with a person breathing incorrectly.

• Stuttering has ZERO impact on an individual’s level of intelligence.

Do you know someone who experiences stuttering? Here is my best piece of advice for how you can support his or her fluent communication:

While you may find it helpful to do so, do NOT finish his/her sentence(s) for them. Wait for the individual to finish his or her thought entirely. Then, silently count to 2 before providing your response/comment.

This method of active listening and pausing before you respond not only demonstrates respect for the individual's thoughts and opinions but also encourages more meaningful and thoughtful conversations. It allows the person speaking to express themselves fully, without feeling rushed or interrupted. Moreover, the brief pause you take after they finish their thought gives you time to process their words and respond more thoughtfully, leading to more effective communication and a deeper connection in your interactions.

Thank you for reading! Have a question or need support regarding you or someone you know who stutters? Scroll down & submit your request today for a free 15-minute consultation with Denise!