02.17.2023
How should I interact when talking with someone who stutters?
Individuals of all ages who stutter want to be treated just as those who do not stutter. Do not finish their sentences, or interrupt. Do not look away, or disengage. Treat them as you would […]
02.17.2023
Is there a greater risk for stuttering if someone speaks more than one language or is bilingual?
No, bilingualism does not make a person more likely to stutter. Speakers of more than one language may be at increased risk for being perceived as stuttering because they may be more likely to be […]
02.17.2023
What is the concept of ‘fluency conformity’? What is the impact? What can we do about it?
Paradoxically, in a genuine attempt to help children who stutter to integrate within a fluent world, speech-language pathologists, and teachers can potentially cause irreversible harm. For example, to avoid the concern that the child may […]
02.17.2023
Should learning to speak without stuttering be the primary goal for stuttering treatment?
Increasing speech fluency has been a primary goal of stuttering treatment since our field was first established. However, this goal is anchored to a pervasive misperception that effective communication requires fluent speech, and the assumption […]
02.17.2023
Is it true that the more you stutter, the more it impacts your daily life?
The impact of stuttering on one’s quality of life can vary across individuals, regardless of the frequency of stuttering. Each person who stutters experiences stuttering in ways that are unique to them, whether they stutter […]
02.17.2023
Will stuttering limit my ability to communicate effectively?
Effective communication and stuttering are not mutually exclusive. You can stutter on every word and be an amazingly effective communicator. The falsehood that fluency is a prerequisite for effective communication has been perpetuated for decades […]
01.04.2023
Do a majority of Speech-Language Pathologists have an expertise or specialization in stuttering?
Most speech-language pathologists have not been adequately trained and, as a result, do not feel competent to provide effective services in stuttering. The Blank Center for Stuttering is dedicated to making an impact through improving […]
01.04.2023
How is stuttering diagnosed and treated?
If your or your child stutters, the first step in treatment is typically a comprehensive assessment by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist who ideally has special expertise in the area of stuttering. During the assessment, the […]
01.04.2023
What is the typical age of onset of stuttering?
Most individuals who stutter begin stuttering between ages 2 and 7 years of age.
01.04.2023
What is the cause of stuttering?
While the exact cause is still being actively researched, we can confidently say that stuttering is neurophysiological condition or difference with a strong genetic component that can be impacted by a variety of factors related […]
01.04.2023
What is stuttering?
Stuttering is an interruption in the forward flow of speech characterized by repetitions of syllables (“buh-buh-but”), prolongations of sounds (“mmmmmy”), or blocks where no speech comes out (“[silent pause] what”), and is often accompanied by […]