Mrs. DiCarlo's True/False Stuttering Jeopardy!

How We Talk

100

Stuttering tends to remain constant for people who stutter. 

False. Stuttering tends to be very cyclical in nature. People who stutter often have periods of fluency and dysfluency often without explanation. This cyclical nature can be very frustrating for those who stutter. 

200

Clavicular breathing is normal. 

False.  Clavicular breathing or breathing with our shoulders is shallow breathing. Some people who stutter need to work on the coordination of their breathing when they talk. 

300

It is typical for some  preschoolers to have a period of stuttering or disfluency. 

True.  However, if stuttering persists for more than 6 months and if the child demonstrates atypical disfluencies (i.e. prolongations) or has other risk factors, an evaluation may be warranted. 

400

Some people who stutter report less stuttering when singing or in choral reading. 

True.  Did you know famous singers such as Carly Simon, Ed Sheeran, and Mel Tillis report a history of stuttering?

500

Brain studies (i.e. EEG studies) indicate no differences in the brains of stutterers vs. non stutterers. 

False. Some brain studies  have provided evidence of functional differences in the brains of those who stutter. These differences support a physiological cause to stuttering. There's also often an emotional component as well based upon a person's reaction to their stuttering. 

Types of Stuttering

100

A repetition is when you hold on to a speech sound for too long.

False. A repetition is when you repeat part of a word

muh muh..my name

200

A prolongation is when you hold on to a speech sound.

True. For example, ssssss..sometimes it's rainy.

300

A block refers to when a person "blocks out" memories of stuttering. 

False. A block is when no sound will come out.

400

Interjections (um, and then) are not a form of disfluency.

False. Some people who stutter use larger number of fillers or interjections when speaking. 

500

Revising (stopping and starting over again) is a type of disfluency.

True. We all revise our messages but those who stutter often do it more. Sometimes they are trying to avoid saying a certain word they expect to stutter on. SLP's  use the word "circumlocution"  or "talking in circles" to describe this behavior.  

Famous People Who Stutter

100

James Earl Jones (Darth Vader, Mufasa) is a person who stutters.

True

200

Matt Damon struggled with stuttering as a child. 

False. 

300

Bruce Will reports a history of stuttering.

True.  Did you know that Emily Blunt and Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) also are famous actors who are stutterers?

400

The movie, The King's Speech, is a fictional story about King George VI. 

False.  It is based on the true story of King George VI from England who made many inspirational radio speeches to his countrymen during WWII despite his stuttering. 

500

Due to their excellent coordination skills, few professional athletes stutter. 

False! George Springer  (Houston Astros), Bill Walton (NBA star), Bob Love (Chicago Bulls), and Bo Jackson are just a few of the many famous athletes who stutter. 

Tips for People Who Stutter

100

Calling on students who stutter more often will help increase their confidence when speaking. 

False. Each student is different but some recommendations for children who stutter include:having them  answer a question requiring fewer words, choral reading, doing presentations 1:1 or sometimes even presenting first can help. Talk to your student and their SLP!!!

200

Slowing down and pausing between sentences or thoughts helps you to speak more fluently.

True. One of our strategies is working on phrasing and reducing a person's rate of speech.

300

Looking away from the person who is stuttering will helps them speak more fluently.

False.  It is best to maintain eye contact with someone who stutters. 

400

Loosening the muscles in your mouth, jaw, and throat helps you speak more fluently.

True. In therapy, we use a strategy know as easy onset to promote an easy start to speaking. 

500

It is good to remind people who stutter to slow down and to finish their words for them. 

False!  We would all like to help but people who stutter do not find these things very useful. 

Facts About Stuttering

100

Trying to hide your stuttering by avoiding certain words or speaking situations often increases confidence.

False. Avoidance behaviors often build up fears.

200

Speech/language therapy for stuttering addresses primarily the physiological aspects of stuttering. 

False. Therapy emphasizes strategies to increase fluency and modify stuttering behaviors. However, therapy also emphasizes the emotional components of stuttering including avoidance reactions and a person's reaction to their stuttering. Think of an onion...peeling back the layers!

300

In speech therapy, elementary students learn to control their stuttering most of the time and are often cured of stuttering.

False.  There is no cure for stuttering but we do work on strategies to help control stuttering. We also on students' reactions to their stuttering.

400

Stuttering tends to run in families (other people in the family stutter).

True. (but not always). It is estimated that approximately 60% of those who stutter report a family history. 

500

Boys and girls stutter equally. 

FALSE!! More boys tend to stutter. (4:1 ratio)