Overview:
The International Stuttering Awareness Day is annually observed on October 22nd; to raise awareness of stuttering in society, and to unify efforts, to educate the community, and to show sympathy with people who stutter and still feel lonely and isolated.
Stuttering is a speech disorder that involves frequent and significant problems with normal fluency and flow of speech. Stuttering may be worse when the person is excited, tired or under stress. Starts between the ages of 2 and 5 years, however, stuttering that persists may require intervention. The exact causes of stuttering are still unknown, however they may be attributed to several factors. There are effective treatments to help improve speech fluency.
Facts about Types and Causes of Stuttering:
- Developmental Stuttering: It is the most common type of stuttering, which occurs while the child is still learning speech and language skills. The exact cause of its occurrence is not clear, although it is believed to be caused by a difference in conduction through the parts of the brain responsible for speech. The brain connectors in children are still developing, which is the reason that most children can eventually overcome stuttering. It is believed that genes play an important role in the occurrence of most cases because approximately 66% of those who stutter have a family history of stuttering.
- Acquired Stuttering: It is caused by a stroke or head trauma or any other type of brain injury. In this case the brain finds it difficult to coordinate between different regions of the brain, making it difficult to speak clearly and fluently. Other causes include medications, psychological and emotional trauma.
Objectives:
- Raising awareness on how to deal with people who stutter.
- Support people who stutters to override and control it.
Official Date:
- Globally: October 22nd, 2021.
- Locally: Rabia‘ Al-Awwal 16th, 1443H.
Theme:
«Speak the Change You Wish To See»
References: