Stuttering Facts
Stuttering is contagious. True or False?
False. You cannot catch stuttering from a PWS.
4-year-olds can stutter. True or false?
True. Most people start stuttering between 2-4 years of age.
Stuttering is something you can "cure". True or False.
False. There are no known cures for stuttering. However, children (and many adults) can learn to successfully manage stuttering. In some cases, very young children eliminate some or all of their stuttering.
Most people who start to stutter, start in their early childhood. TRUE OR FALSE
True. Most people start to stutter between 2-4 years of age.
Name at least 3 famous people who stutter.
While there are many more than that, three PWS include:
Ed Sheeran, Emily Blunt, and James Earl Jones
Stuttering is part of a person's neurobiology. In this way, it is similar to other things (ex: near-sightedness) that also have a biological basis. True or False?
True. Stuttering is a biological condition.
Stuttering is the PWS's fault. True or False?
False. It's nobody's fault. The PWS doesn't choose to stutter.
When a PWS is blocked on a word he may find it helpful to bounce (use an easy stutter) on the first sound? True or False?
True. He/She may find that bouncing on the word can be a useful strategy. Bouncing is an easy repetition of the beginning of a word.
People who stutter are more fluent when they sing, whisper or use a different accent. TRUE OR FALSE
True. Studies show that when PWS sing, whisper, or act, they often don't stutter as much or at all.
Children can stutter when they are as young as 2 years old. True or False?
True. Most people who stutter start stuttering at an early age.
Stuttering runs in families. True or False?
True. Studies of twins show that if one twin stutters, the other twin is more likely to stutter.
If you are 15 years old and have never stuttered before, you have just as much of a chance to start stuttering as anyone else. True or false?
False. Most individuals start stuttering between the ages 2 and 4.
Telling a PWS to slow down or say it again is a good way to help them get through a moment of stuttering. True or False?
False. Telling a PWS to slow down or say it again doesn't help them. It only adds more stress to the PWS if they are still trying to say the word.
Stuttering is a variable disorder. True or false?
True. The way someone stutters can change from day to day, from moment to moment and from person to person.
Does stuttering have to start in a family or can you stutter when it does not run in a family?
Stuttering often occurs in more than one family member; but it is possible for stuttering to occur in a person with no family history.
Do PWS always stutter the same way? Yes or No?
No. PWS are unique and have different ways of stuttering.
A greater percentage of adults stutter than children. True or False?
False. 1% of adults stutter while 3% of children stutter.
Name one technique that PWS use to help manage their speech tension.
Bouncing, stretching, pausing/phrasing, voluntary stuttering, easy onsets, pull-outs, and much more!
How many speech techniques or speech tools are there to help manage moments of stuttering?
There are many speech techniques to manage stuttering since it is such an individual experience. What works for one person may not work for another. Addressing all aspects of intervention (education, emotions, attitudes, allies...along with speech tools) is a powerful combination.
Does stuttering affect more females than males?
No. Stuttering affects 4 times as many males as females.
How many Americans stutter? a) over 100 million b) over 5 million c) over 3 million d) none of the above
c) over 3 million
Is the brain of a PWS the same as the brain of a person who does not?
There are subtle differences that show up in neuroimaging research. While the brains of PWS are perfectly capable and "normal" (ex: Einstein was a PWS), the brain of a PWS is wired differently from a brain of a person who does not stutter. Brains are plastic (changeable), which is why speech therapy in childhood is optimal.
When you stutter your muscles are loose and relaxed. True or false?
False. When someone stutters their muscles involuntarily tighten and that gets in the way of forward-moving communication.
If you are a PWS who is not a preschooler, there is a good chance stuttering will continue to be a part of your life to some degree. True or false?
True. PWS can learn to successfully manage stuttering, but it is something that they may always have to work on.
If you stutter you cannot have a job that requires a lot of talking - like an actor or politician. True or False?
False. There are many famous actors, actresses and politicians who stutter. Bonus Point: Name a famous person who stutters who has not been named yet during this game.