Event Series:
International Stuttering Awareness Day
International Stuttering Awareness Day
October 22
International Stuttering Awareness Day
International Stuttering Awareness Day is a global healthcare event celebrated on October 22 every year. to spread awareness about the speech disorder characterised by disruptions in fluency known as stuttering or stammering. Stuttering occurs through involuntary word repetition and temporary challenges in producing sounds or words, among other symptoms.
On this day, various local, national, and international organizations come together. For example, they conduct several events, media campaigns, educational activities and online resources to raise awareness about the difficulties faced by yman individuals dealing with stuttering.
Importance of International Stuttering Awareness Day
Stuttering is a difference in speech patterning caused by loss of speech control. This results in interruptions or “disfluencies”. The word “stuttering” can be referred either to the specific speech disfluencies commonly produced by people who stutter or to the overall communication condition that people who stutter may experience.
In addition to creating disfluencies, people who stutter often experience physical strain and challenges in their speech muscles. They also feel awkwardness, anxiety, and fear about speaking. Together, these characteristics can make it very difficult for people who stutter to talk. It can also hinder their ability to communicate effectively with others. There are as many different types of stuttering as there are people who stutter, and many different levels of stuttering.
Statistics About Stuttering
It’s estimated about 1% of the world’s population stutters. In addition, about 5% of children go through a period of stuttering. Approximately 80% of children who begin to stutter ultimately stop stuttering. And, children who continue to stutter into the school-age years are likely to continue stuttering throughout their lives. Males stutter more frequently than females. The male-to-female ratio is roughly 4 to 1 in adults but closer to 2 to 1 in children.
Over seven crore individuals worldwide are struggling with stuttering. Therefore, a single approach is not suitable for everyone. Different people have different needs and circumstances. International Stuttering Awareness Day is celebrated to educate people about this complex condition, their needs and work towards preventing stuttering in children.
Myths about Stuttering
Here are few myths about stuttering:
- People stutter because they are nervous
- People who stutter are shy and self-conscious
- Stuttering is psychological
- People who stutter are less intelligent or capable
- Stuttering is caused by emotional trauma
- Children who stutter are imitating a stuttering parent or relative
History of International Stuttering Awareness Day
International Stuttering Awareness Day was established by the International Stuttering Association (ISA) as a proactive response to this problem. The International Stuttering Association (ISA) created a wish list in 1995 while attending a conference in Linkoping, Sweden, which supported the creation of such a day.
When Michael Sugarman, co-founder of the National Stuttering Project, championed the cause for a worldwide day of stuttering awareness in 1997 at the International Fluency Association (IFA) conference, the call for such a day gathered traction. The International Fluency Association, the European League of Stuttering Associations, and the ISA jointly proclaimed October 22nd as Stuttering Awareness Day in 1998, realizing Sugarman’s dream.
Did You Know?
- Stuttering is a disruption in speech pattern involving disruptions, or disfluencies, in a person’s speech, but there are nearly as many ways to stutter as there are people who stutter.
- Whether you are a person who stutters, the family member or friend of a PWS, or just someone who has a special interest in stuttering, we are here to connect you to information, others who stutter, and SLPs (Speech Language Pathologists) who specialize in stuttering
- The National Stuttering Association is a non-profit organization – the largest in the world – started in 1977, dedicated to bringing hope and empowerment to children and adults who stutter, their families, and professionals through support, education, advocacy, and research.
