• Myth: People who stutter are stupid.


• Reality: There is absolutely no connection between stuttering and intelligence. Some people who stutter are extremely bright, others are average, and others are slower than average. People who believe that stuttering is a sign of stupidity are simply wrong.

• Myth: Stuttering is caused by bad parenting or stress.


• Reality: No one really knows what causes stuttering, although a genetic predisposition seems to be involved. Emotional stress often triggers stuttering in children who have a tendency to stutter, but many deal with extreme stress without ever stuttering, while others stutter in response to slight or routine stress. Neglectful or hurtful parenting is one source of extreme stress for a child, of course, as are well-meaning parents who put too much pressure on their children to excel or engage in too many activities. But many loving, sensible parents have children who stutter, so we certainly can't blame all stuttering on bad parenting.

• Myth: It helps to tell a child to "slow down," "take a big breath before you start talking," or "think about what you want to say first."


• Reality: This advice usually only makes a child more self-conscious, making the problem worse. More helpful responses include listening patiently, modeling slow and clear speech yourself, and making out what your child is saying as best you can.

• Myth: Children will outgrow stuttering.


• Reality: While roughly four out of five do outgrow stuttering, it doesn't always get better on its own. If the stuttering has been going on for more than six months or there are other signs that it is very stressful for your child, it's best to get help sooner rather than later.

• Myth: Children can control their stuttering if they only would try.


• Reality: The more children try to control all the muscles involved in speaking, the more laborious and difficult speaking becomes. This only makes stuttering worse.

• Myth: It's best to ignore stuttering completely.


• Reality: While it doesn't help to call a child's attention to his stuttering, it also doesn't make sense to pretend that it doesn't exist. Children know when they have a problem, and pretending it's not there just sends the message that you find the stuttering too uncomfortable to deal with. A helpful response is matter-of-fact and supportive, something along the lines of: "When you keep working hard to talk, I can see how much courage you have!"

• Myth: Listening to a parent or sibling stutter can cause a young child to stutter.


• Reality: This is absolutely not true. Stuttering isn't a matter of being exposed to stuttering; genetic and other factors are involved.

© Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved.