“Children don't stutter because they are upset or scared”

Stating that stuttering is a fluency disorder that can cause individuals to have negative experiences in communication skills and social interactions and affect the quality of life, Speech and Language Therapist Yaren Çomak said, “This condition, which usually manifests itself with repetitions, blocks and prolongations during speech, can cause disfluencies in the way individuals express themselves.”

Research on the exact causes of stuttering is still ongoing and it is suggested that general and environmental factors may play a role. Yaren Çomak, Speech and Language Therapist at Çakmak Erdem Hospital, said, “Stuttering can start with a genetic predisposition, but environmental factors should not be ignored. Based on this situation, we can conclude that children do not stutter because they are upset or scared. There may be general predispositions and emotional situations may be the trigger mechanism.” It is important to note that stuttering is not directly related to emotional states; however, conditions such as stress and anxiety can trigger or exacerbate the condition.

Stuttering is defined as a fluency disorder, not a disease. For this reason, it is of great importance that individuals with stuttering are evaluated and the therapy process is carried out by speech and language therapists who are experts in their field. Speech and Language Therapist Yaren Çomak stated that the therapy process aims to strengthen the communication skills of individuals, to investigate their self-confidence and to enable them to take part in social life more effectively.

Do not use expressions such as “calm down”, “breathe” or “don't get excited”

Common misconceptions about stuttering can make social life more difficult for people who stutter. For example, stuttering is not related to intelligence, is not contagious, and is not learned by imitation. Therapist Yaren Çomak emphasized that listening carefully, maintaining eye contact and not completing sentences is a more effective approach instead of expressions such as “calm down”, “breathe” or “don't get excited” while supporting individuals with stuttering.

“Getting service from a professional and the right person is an important step in this process”

Yaren Çomak recommends that people who want to receive evaluation and therapy services related to stuttering should consult a speech and language therapist. “Getting service from a professional and the right person is an important step in this process and it should not be forgotten that you are not alone,” she said.

Yaren Çomak finally made the following suggestion:

“Everyone has a role to play in exploring social awareness of stuttering. Educational institutions, workplaces, and social circles can organize programs that promote awareness of stuttering so that individuals who stutter can live in a more supportive and prosperous environment.”