One of the complicating factors in stuttering is that its cause has yet to be determined. This is pertinent for two reasons. First, most people are naturally interested in understanding all they can about the nature of their malady.

The cause of stuttering has been the focus of study for many, many years. Some theories of stuttering imply “less than flattering” things about people who stutter. For example, one persistent thought posits that stuttering is the outward manifestation of a deep-seated emotional problem. While there is no research to support his speculation, “remnants” of this supposition persist and serve to perpetuate elements of the falsehood. For instance, in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9), stuttering is listed under “Neurotic Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Other Nonpsychotic Mental Disorders”. Imagine the impact of feeling that others are thinking of you as having an emotional problem, when you don't!

The other issue relating to discussing the cause of stuttering deals with framing the person who stutters as the expert, educator, and dispenser of knowledge about stuttering. Being able to discuss your stuttering with others makes a statement about you're feelings about it and how it affects you. People unable or unwilling to talk about it leave the impression that it is a really bad and shameful thing; consequently, others are unlikely to broach the topic and are likely to feel sympathy or pity for the person with such a weighty problem. People able to talk openly about their stuttering are seen as knowledgeable and maintaining their dignity, because they project an objective attitude toward the problem they face. Talking about it engages other person's interest. Directly the opposite of the person who stutter's fears, others are drawn to become supporters, rather than critics. First, think about how you respond to someone who is notably overweight, holding his head down, unable to make eye contact with you, and not eager to interact with others. Now, compare that to another overweight person who engages you in a conversation about why he has gained weight, and excitedly tells you about the new diet and exercise program he is starting to get to his ideal weight. Which person are you more likely to feel sorry for and which person do you want to help and provide encouragement.

Talking about stuttering in an objective, knowledgeable way enables the person who stutters to appear “on top of the problem”. But how can you speak in a knowledgeable way about a problem that even the professionals don't know the cause?

Knowing the “real” cause is probably less important than believing in a cause and being able to talk about it intelligently. (After all, that is what the professionals do!) Work with your client to develop a script that they can use to talk with others about the cause of their stuttering. Try to include some research to support their beliefs. In my experience, the process of preparing and rehearsing how to talk about stuttering helps clients crystallize their feelings and beliefs. It seems to give them a sense of strength and stability and helps develop self-respect.

A sample script appears below and may serve as a starting point for clinicians in developing a script. The clinician's role in this task is as a facilitator, drawing out, guiding, and supporting the thoughts of the client.

“Stuttering is a complex problem. For some, stuttering seems to run in families, so there may be a hereditary factor. Recent research using PET scans is finding that people who stutter use their brain in a different way when they speak. It seems when we stutter, we use both the right and left hemispheres to talk. There also seems to be less coordination between the hemispheres, without one hemisphere taking a ‘leadership' or ‘coordinating' role. As a result, the two sides of the brain the control speech don't work effectively together and to process of talking gets ‘tangled up'. Most of us who stutter find that we are less fluent in certain situations, like when I'm in a hurry, speaking on the phone, or meeting someone for the first time. To compensate, I've been learning how to slow my speech down and start sounds at the beginning of a sentence easier. In fact, if you wanted to help me, you can remind me to go a little slower when I start going too fast. And, just give me a second or two more to get out what I want to say. It's annoying sometimes when people try to fill-in the words I'm trying to say for me. I know they are trying to help, but it throws me off and makes me feel like I've failed.”

This script is relatively brief and it also let's people know what they can do to help! It invites questions about stuttering and positions the person who stutters as the expert. As any speech pathologist will tell you, the person who stutters knows more about their stuttering than anyone else!

© Rentschler, 2004