Stuttering Causes
Scientists have proven that there is a single cause of stuttering (true/false)
False. Researchers have not discovered a single cause of stuttering, but there are likely many contributing factors.
How do people who stutter often describe stuttering? (We talked about two common descriptions).
"Loss of control" or "feeling stuck"
Stuttering frequency can change ____ to _____. (There are multiple right answers).
Stuttering frequency can change from sound to sound, word to word, sentence to sentence, hour to hour, month to month, or even year to year.
People who stutter may have thoughts like, "I couldn't... ask him/her, volunteer for that, say that, go there, participate in that, etc." (true/false)
True.
Stuttering affects less than 80,000 people globally. (true/false)
False! It affects over 80 million people globally.
Stuttering often runs in families (true/false)
True. About 60% of people who stutter also have a family member who stutters.
People often say that "stuttering is often _____ than just stuttering." And why? (Fill in the blank and explain your reasoning)
"Stuttering is more than just stuttering."
True!
Name three things people who stutter may do when stuttering, aside from prolongations, repetitions, or blocks. (Many possible right answers).
Loss of eye contact, eye closure/blinking, jaw/head jerks, hand/foot movements, facial grimaces, inhalation during speech production, retrying words, repeating phrases, using fillers, word substitution, talking around a word, stopping/giving up, pretending to think, or cutting conversation short
Stuttering only exists in some languages (true/false).
False! Stuttering exists in all languages and all parts of the world.
Stuttering is caused by anxiety. (true/false)
False!
Beyond just repetitions, prolongations, and blocks, what else is a part of stuttering? (there are multiple right answers).
Emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions
Internal states (e.g. state of health, fatigue, other disabilities) do not impact stuttering (true/false).
False.
Name one thought people who stutter may have about how they will be perceived ("people will think I'm...____"). (Multiple right answers).
Examples could be: Stupid, nervous, shy, not confident
True. Approximately 4 males stutter to every one female who stutters.
What is a main cause of stuttering? (We talked about 3 of them)
Neurophysiological, genetic, and developmental factors likely all contribute to stuttering.
Prolongations, repetitions, and blocks are reactions to the sensation of ________.
Prolongations, repetitions, and blocks are reactions to the sensation of feeling stuck.
Name one way that stuttering may vary. (Multiple right answers).
Stuttering can vary in amount or frequency, feelings, thoughts, behaviors, environmental/social impacts, activity limitations and participation restrictions, and types of disfluencies.
Name three feelings people who stutter may experience related to stuttering. (Many right answers).
Fear, shame, guilt, embarrassment, anger, frustration, anxiety, dread/apprehension, out of control/panic
There are currently no known cures for stuttering (true/false).
True, but speech therapy can help a person effectively and make long-term changes over time.