How have you coped with your stuttering?

Question

I have learned to accept it. Growing up I never noticed I did it till I was 6. My dad does it too. I have wondered if it was genetic or does it skip a generation. I have learned to compromise with words. I not horrible but it happens. I have been to speech therapist when I was little but it did nothing. Plus for odd reasons I wouldn't stutter around the therapist. I hated when people didn't understand my dilemma and would giggle. I love the people who are understanding, who understand and don't make fun of it. Sometimes I make great stride in my speech, I don't believe in therapy or special devices, and learned to live with it. I really hated when people would say just " calm down",(they don't understand). Some people are hush hush about it, and don't acknowledge it. Sometimes I try to hide it, like it's my sercet identity or something. I would be like Clark Kent, trying to conceal it. Have you had similar experiences and how do you deal with it?

Answer 1

Nope, doesn't skip a generation and it is genetic. Several uncles and cousins of mine stutter. The best help we found was from The Stuttering Foundation of America and their book "Self Therapy for the Stutterer." For most stutterers, the stuttering is less when they don't try to hide it. That is most likely why you didn't stutter around the therapist. You knew that you were there because of your stuttering and that the therapist knew you stuttered, so that removed the tension of trying to keep from stuttering.

Go through the 12 steps in the book and diligently work on each step before moving on to the next. Don't just read the book through. Practice, practice, practice and work on the steps over and over.

The book can be found at some public libraries or purchased for just a few dollars to cover shipping and handling from the nonprofit Foundation that was started by a stutterer. Check out their web site at www.stutteringhelp.org.

Answer 2

I don't know much about this condition, but are you sure you can't fight it? I would do as much research as possible on the subject (Google is your friend) and see better speech therapists if necessary. I'm pretty sure you don't have to live with this. I don't know how old you are, but it will certainly cause you problems going into job interviews, on dates, etc.

Answer 3

I have a friend who stutters and learned from www.stutteringhelp.org that I (and her other friends) should slow our speech down when we are talking with her. It sure has helped. We all enjoy her part of our conversations. She used to hardly talk at all.

Answer 4

Okay, you don't believe in special devices.

They sell devices you can insert in your ear. You can hear yourself talking in your ear and for some reason that stops the stuttering. It is no bigger than a hearing aid.

I don't understand why you woudn't just use something like that.