From Reel to Real life...

“I love you K-K-K-Kiran”, Remember the Iconic stammer by Shah Rukh Khan from Baazigar, Sudhi Vathmeekam played by Jayasuriya in the Malayalam film – Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam and so did Colin Firth in the Kings Speech. And the crowd just went wild!!

But then that’s the reel life. What about in real life?

Can’t speak fluently? Are there repetitions, difficulty in the flow of words, tension around the mouth and neck muscles? Most listeners will impatiently keep butting in.

And this is genuine case of stuttering.

Though the exact cause is not known, family history, extreme anxiety or stress in various situations, other speech and language disorders can lead to stuttering. In children it normally occurs between the ages of 2 to 6 years. Although infrequent instances of non-fluency (normal non fluency or NNF) is normal in children between 2 to 6 years as they improve their use of language and play around with words, consistent stuttering beyond a period of 6 months with increasing difficulties need to be addressed by a speech therapist.

So, when to get help?

· If your child starts to avoid speaking situations

· Repeats sounds and syllables more often

· Whole words or phrases are repeated with increasing frequency

· Starts changing words or talks around a word for fear of stuttering

· Increased tension noticed around the neck and face region

Stuttering can occur during the language developmental age in children, known as developmental stuttering, in adults after a head trauma, stroke, tumors, degenerative diseases’ etc. known as neurogenic stuttering and due to psychological factors.

Get in touch with a speech therapist to evaluate the dysfluencies and to get further treatment strategies and counseling.

In general, a few tips can be followed to support a good speaking environment

Ø Listen when your child speaks. Do not rush or pressurize to speak fast.

Ø If possible, stay at eye level while talking

Ø Focus on the content of the topic not the manner of delivery

Ø Provide a relaxed environment and as many speaking situations as possible

Ø Be patient

With consistent therapy, easy strategies and counseling, Stuttering can be treated, and relapses avoided.