Stuttering Foundation and ASHA Team to Promote Early Intervention for Children Who Stutter On International Stuttering Awareness Day

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Oct. 11, 2011) — Many children start stuttering as they learn to talk. During this time, a child’s speech and language, thinking, and motor skills are still developing and it may be hard for them to get their words out. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Stuttering Foundation are collaborating to raise awareness among parents and caregivers about the benefits of early intervention of stuttering.

The effort is the organizations' way of marking International Stuttering Awareness Day on October 22.

Nearly 5% of all children under the age of 7 go through a period of stuttering. Before this age, you may hear your child repeat words and say “uh” and “um.” This is normal. It should happen less often as speech and language skills develop. However, stuttering often begins during this same time period. If parents are concerned, they should educate themselves about stuttering and seek advice from a speech-language pathologist.

A child may be at a higher risk for stuttering if:

- other family members stutter

- stuttering lasts longer than 6 months

- the child begins to stutter after age 3½

- the child has other speech or language problems

“There can be no doubt that early intervention is the most powerful tool we have to prevent stuttering from becoming a lifelong concern,” emphasizes Jane Fraser, president of the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation.

"Consult with a speech-language pathologist if you are concerned about your child's speech," ASHA President Paul Rao, Ph.D., CCC-SLP says. "The speech-language pathologist will test your child’s speech and language, show your child new and easier ways to talk, and give you tips to help your child at home and at school.

For free information on stuttering, contact the Stuttering Foundation at (800) 992-9392 or ASHA at (800) 638-TALK (8255). You may also visit www.StutteringHelp.org or www.asha.org.

About the Stuttering Foundation
The 65-year-old Stuttering Foundation provides resources, services, and support to those who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering. It provides education, training, and information to professionals, children and adults who stutter; parents, teachers, and all those concerned about stuttering; and is a valuable resource for speech-language pathologists working in the schools with children of all ages.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 145,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Carly Simon

Carly Simon began stuttering severely when she was eight years old.

Mel Tillis

Mel Tillis, born Lonnie Melvin Tillis, was an influential figure in country music, both as a songwriter and a performer. His journey to fame was marked by overcoming personal challenges, including a stutter that he turned into a defining part of his public persona.

King George

In November 2010, worldwide movie audiences were presented with a most interesting and unusual movie release with The King’s Speech, starring Colin Firth as King George VI and Helena Bonham Carter as his wife Elizabeth.

Unfortunately, history may have forgotten the courageous and inspiring story of Prince Albert who stuttered badly and never dreamed that he would ever be king when his older brother, King Edward VIII, abruptly abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee.

Ken Venturi

As much of the nation watches the U.S. Open Golf Championship, it is impossible not to think about our late friend Ken Venturi. Ken overcame many challenges to win the Open at Congressional in 1964 and go on to become the voice of golf for more than three decades.

However, Ken faced no bigger obstacle than stuttering. Ken Venturi was a champion to those who stutter, going out of his way to share his personal experience when consulted by a colleague, friend, or child who stutters.

Dave Taylor

Dave Taylor has been on the Stuttering Foundation's list of Famous People Who Stutter for many years, but probably few people know all of the unique accomplishments of this former hockey great who was born on December 4, 1955, in Levack, Ontario.