August 28, 2020
With stuttering a topic of national interest in the news, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is correcting some recent misconceptions reported about the speech disorder and is encouraging people who stutter to seek help from speech-language pathologists (SLPs).
ASHA offers a variety of educational resources about stuttering at www.asha.org/stuttering-toolkit/, covering topics such as communication tips for people who stutter and their loved ones, when to seek help for stuttering, and treatment options for children and adults. Also included are public service announcements that feature Taro Alexander, ASHA’s 2019 Annie (Glenn) Award recipient and founder of SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young. A person who stutters himself, Alexander conveys—in compelling terms—what he experienced growing up and what the public can do to be helpful and understanding.
ASHA applauds the courage and example displayed by individuals such as Alexander and recently 13-year old Brayden Harrington. For their sake and that of all people who stutter, ASHA also seeks to correct misinformation about stuttering that has appeared in recent media coverage. Some basic facts and outdated perceptions that were misreported include:
ASHA encourages the public to seek help from SLPs, highly trained professionals who provide people who stutter with services that can make an important and positive difference in their lives. Visit www.asha.org/profind for a searchable database of SLPs nationwide. Board-certified stuttering specialists can be found at www.stutteringspecialists.org. Parents of children who stutter can also be connected to treatment through early intervention programs or by reaching out to their local school system to ask for an evaluation.
Experts about stuttering are available for media interviews. Contact Joseph Cerquone, ASHA Director of Public Relations, at 703-973-7744 or jcerquone@asha.org.
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 211,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders.