EDUCATION

We believe knowledge is power.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist believes in sharing his story. Connecting with Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) to express his appreciation for the trusted and valued relationship formed between a person who stutters and their SLP has taken him on a speaker’s circuit to visit colleges, universities, hospitals, camps and support groups.

Taking time with parents and caregivers, school systems, healthcare professionals, insurance companies, lawmakers, and the general community are essential to delivering quality education about stuttering. Focusing on facts, not myths, gets us one step closer to breaking the social stigma of stuttering through the power of education.

Myth Busting

MYTH: People who stutter are not smart.

FACT: There is no link whatsoever between stuttering and intelligence; cognition is not impacted.

MYTH: It helps to tell a person to “take a deep breath before talking,” or to “think about what you want to say first.”

FACT: This advice can make a person who stutters more self-conscious and can cause a stutter to worsen. A more helpful approach is to listen patiently and model clear and slow speech.

MYTH: Nervousness can cause stuttering.

FACT: Nervousness does not cause stuttering, nor should we assume that people who stutter are prone to be nervous, fearful, anxious, or shy. They have the same full range of personality traits as those who do not stutter. Can the listed ”FACT” be treated graphically with bold or highlight for it to stand out more than the fact?

MYTH: Stuttering can be “caught” through imitation or hearing another person stutter.

FACT: You cannot “catch” stuttering. Imitation or hearing another person stutter are not factors that contribute to stuttering.

MYTH: Stress causes stuttering.

FACT: Many complex factors are involved when stuttering. While stress can aggravate stuttering, it is not a cause.

Source: Five Myths About Stuttering / Stuttering Foundation: A Nonprofit Organization Helping Those Who Stutter / stutteringhelp.org

OUR EDUCATIONAL TARGETS

Coordinate

stuttering research programs that track and measure speech therapy outcomes data.

Partner

with pediatric hospitals to set-up stuttering centers that deliver data-driven speech therapy programs.

Host

continuing education seminars on stuttering management for the healthcare community.

Educate

our communities about stuttering facts through awareness campaigns and strategic partnerships.

EDUCATION

Myth Busting

OUR EDUCATIONAL TARGETS

Coordinate

Partner

Host

Educate

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