Imagine not being able to say what you want. That’s a daily dilemma for the three million Americans who stutter. Today, a growing number of people who stutter are becoming successful communicators by participating in the National Stuttering Association’s (NSA) Support Groups. The NSA is the world’s largest association for adults and children who stutter, with more than 100 local support groups in cities across the U.S, including multiple in Washington State.
ESHC is proud to host the Eastside Stuttering Support Group where an open environment brings SLP’s, stutterers, friends and family together with fun games, intriguing new research, inspiring stories and support of one another.
Stuttering is not an emotional or psychological problem, and is not simply caused by nervousness. It’s a speech disorder that is basically neurological and physiological in nature. Recent research findings have revealed a genetic connection for stuttering. In all other respects, persons who stutter are perfectly normal.
Speech therapy by specialized speech-language pathologists has helped many people who stutter. Chronic stuttering in adults rarely is cured but can be successfully controlled by long-term practice and stuttering management techniques. Difficulty in speaking is only part of the problem. Children who stutter often are teased, and most people who stutter experience shame, guilt and fear of speaking situations. People who stutter also encounter discrimination in employment and other areas of life because of popular misconceptions about stuttering.
“We’ve enjoyed referring our own patients to this group of supportive and caring people,” says speech-language pathologist and program director Maryam Sadrzadeh of the Eastside Stuttering Support Group. “Everyone gains something from the meeting – new information, similarities with peers and a new level of understanding.”
If you’re interested in learning more about NSA or the Eastside Stuttering Support Group please contact us, we’d love to have you join us!