Brand new research was just published by the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles involving people who stutter. This study was led by Bradley Peterson, MD, whom says they found “a critical mass of evidence” of a common underlying lifelong vulnerability in both children and adults who stutter. The Broca’s area, located in the frontal lobe of the brain, plays a key role in expressive speech. Researchers say that “Blood flow was inversely correlated to the degree of stuttering — the more severe the stuttering, the less blood flow to this part of the brain.” Read the full story here https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170103162356.htm
If you stutter, or know someone who stutters, Granite Bay Speech would love to provide you with information. Nancy Barcal, SLP and owner of Granite Bay Speech, has been awarded chapter leader of the year and has been volunteering regularly for the nonprofit National Stuttering Association (NSA) since 1983.
Stuttering is a speech disorder that is primarily neurological and physiological in nature. It’s not an emotional or psychological problem, and is not simply caused by nervousness. People who stutter make up about one percent of the population. About 1 in 30 children stutter at some point, and at least one-quarter of them do not outgrow it. Expert speech therapy, beginning as early as age 3 or 4, can give children who stutter a head start on recovery and may head off chronic stuttering.
There’s no cure for stuttering, but speech therapy by specialized speech-language pathologists has helped many people who stutter. Chronic stuttering in adults can be successfully controlled by long-term practice and stuttering management techniques.
Stuttering support groups complement speech therapy by building healthy attitudes toward speaking and stuttering. Surveys show that support group participation helps reduce the negative effects of stuttering and enhances the success of speech therapy.
At Granite Bay Speech, we provide you with individualized programs catered to your specific needs. We have resources for families, children and adults. Nancy Barcal has over 30 years of experience working with stuttering and cluttering. She has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally for her high level of expertise. She provides you with techniques and technology based on cutting edge research.
Tips to effectively communicate with people who stutter (PWS):
- Do not make remarks like: “Slow down,” “Take a breath,” or “Relax.” Such simplistic advice can be felt as demeaning.
- Listen attentively and respond to what he or she says — not how they say it. Telephone conversations may be especially difficult for PWS.
- Use natural eye contact, wait patiently until the person is finished talking.
- Do not finish sentences or fill in words for the person who stutters.
- Speak calmly using pauses and an upbeat, pleasant tone of voice. Smile.
For more information, visit our website at www.granitebayspeech.com