Does your speech control you, or do you control your speech?

It’s fair to say that everyone has some level of fear when it comes to public speaking, whether it’s in front of a large group or in a one-on-one conversation with a stranger. The fact is, given enough stress any one of us can stutter.

But did you know that over 3 million Americans stutter, and that boys are four times more likely than girls to have a speech disorder? Even though many of us trip over our tongues now and then, the more serious condition refers to a communication disorder that interrupts the flow of speech with repetitions (li-li-
like this), prolongations (like this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. Stuttering can be caused by genetics, neurophysiology, child development issues, and family dynamics.

What’s more alarming is that children and adults who stutter are no more likely to have psychological or emotional problems than children and adults who don’t, making stuttering that much more important to address with speech improvement. Based on a significant amount of research, we don’t have a reason to believe that emotional trauma is the actual cause of stuttering.

Unfortunately, there is no “cure” for stuttering. But it can be managed with speech improvement, giving those who stutter tools to gain control of their speech. speech improvement can greatly help reduce anxiety and fear regarding public speaking.

Those who stutter often fear speaking situations – and rightly so. Being placed on a variable schedule causes fear, which can lead to increased stuttering.

This fear can also lead to all kinds of other behaviours – called secondary characteristics – which are manifested in a variety of ways. This fear is absolutely normal. Those who stutter are vulnerable to those who tout cures for stuttering.

So how does speech improvement help? Many therapists start with modification techniques – i.e. slow down, use easy onsets, etc. The key to controlling the stuttering, however, lies in overcoming the fear of speaking – and the potential stutter that may ensue. And – before one can overcome the fear of stuttering, one must first figure out when it happens, where it happens, and how it happens. It takes courage to overcome fears, but we must face our fears in order to conquer them.