Podcast Summary
Understanding Stuttering: A Complex Speech Disorder: Stuttering affects 3 million adults in US, often begins in childhood, and can be influenced by genetics. Empathy and understanding from public figures can make a big difference for those who stutter.
Stuttering, a speech disorder affecting approximately 3 million adults in the US, is a complex condition that can significantly impact a person's communication with others. Dr. Naomi Rogers, a speech pathologist and stutterer herself, explains that stuttering often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. People who stutter tend to speak fluently when alone or in situations where they feel less pressure, such as when talking to pets, singing, or reading in unison with others. The cause of stuttering is not fully understood, but research suggests a genetic link. President-elect Joe Biden, who has spoken publicly about his childhood stutter, will give an important speech during his inauguration. However, a different speech from 13-year-old Braden Harrington, who met Biden and shared his experience of stuttering, has left a lasting impression on Dr. Rogers. Braden expressed gratitude to Biden for acknowledging their shared experience and inspiring him. This interaction highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in addressing stuttering and other communication disorders. It also underscores the potential impact of public figures who openly discuss their personal challenges and the positive influence they can have on others.
Accepting individuals who stutter for who they are: Understanding and acceptance of stuttering can lead to profound impacts, including reducing shame and fear for those who stutter. Speech therapists who stutter can provide a safe space for open discussion.
Importance of understanding and accepting individuals who stutter for who they are, rather than trying to hide their stuttering. Naomi Rogers, a speech pathologist, shared her personal experience growing up with a stutter and the shame and fear that came from hiding it due to lack of effective therapy and understanding from those around her. Her experiences highlight the need for a shift in societal perception towards stuttering and the value of having speech therapists who are themselves stutterers, as they can provide a safe space for individuals to openly discuss their experiences. The impact of such understanding and acceptance can be profound, as Naomi recalled her memories of crying in the presence of a speech therapist who truly understood her experience. It's crucial to remember that everyone's experiences and struggles are unique, and creating a supportive and inclusive environment can make all the difference.
A holistic approach to therapy for stuttering: Effective therapy goes beyond fluency, acknowledging emotions and identity as communicators, and addressing speech techniques.
Effective therapy for people who stutter goes beyond just improving fluency. For the speaker in this discussion, their formative experiences in therapy involved finding validation and understanding from a therapist who recognized their feelings and identity as a communicator. This contrasted with earlier experiences where the focus was solely on fixing their stutter. The speaker also shared how they have learned to hide their stuttering throughout their life, which may have been motivated by negative experiences with therapy. Overall, this discussion highlights the importance of a holistic approach to therapy that acknowledges the emotional and psychological aspects of stuttering, in addition to addressing speech techniques.
Shifting perspective on stuttering from disorder to natural variation: Understanding stuttering as a neurodevelopmental variation instead of a disorder can help individuals who stutter feel less isolated and improve their communication skills and self-confidence.
The way we view and approach stuttering as a society and in therapy can have a significant impact on individuals who stutter. Traditional speech therapy, rooted in the medical model of disability, focuses on the listener's perspective and the observable interruptions in speech. However, stuttering is a deeply personal experience, and focusing solely on the listener ignores the speaker's experience. A newer definition, which situates stuttering as a neurodevelopmental variation on the fluency spectrum, emphasizes the importance of language and social interaction contexts. This shift in perspective is crucial as it moves away from labeling stuttering as a disorder and towards recognizing it as a natural variation. Furthermore, research on adolescents, an age group particularly sensitive to social pressures, is essential to understand their experiences with stuttering. Adolescence is a challenging time, and the added stress of stuttering can exacerbate social anxiety. By focusing on this age group, researchers can potentially intervene earlier and help adolescents build resilience and confidence in managing their stutter.
Listener reactions to stuttering can affect stutterers' mental health: Listeners can support stutterers by practicing patience, avoiding filling in words, maintaining neutral eye contact, and giving ample time to speak, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.
People who stutter experience a wide range of listener reactions, from subtle to overtly negative, and they are particularly attuned to emotional expressions, especially anger and fear. This heightened sensitivity to negative reactions can contribute to social anxiety and mental health challenges. To be better allies to stutterers and those with speech disfluencies, listeners should practice patience, avoid filling in words, maintain neutral eye contact, and give the person ample time to speak. This simple act of respect and understanding can go a long way in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals who stutter. It's important to remember that everyone deserves the opportunity to communicate effectively and freely, and small actions from listeners can make a significant difference in the lives of those who stutter.
Creating a more inclusive communication environment for those who stutter: Appreciating and understanding the experiences of those who stutter is essential for fostering a diverse and inclusive communication environment. By asking about their experiences and showing empathy, we can help people who stutter feel seen and valued for who they are, leading to less self-consciousness and more joyful interactions.
Understanding and appreciating the experiences of those who stutter is crucial in creating a more inclusive and diverse communication environment. Stuttering is not just a speech impediment, but a unique part of an individual's identity. By asking about their experiences and showing empathy, we can help people who stutter feel seen and valued for who they are. Naomi, a person who stutters, shares that her stutter has given her a deeper connection with people, allowing her to declare her commitment to her authentic self. Our society can make a difference by shifting our focus from the awkwardness of stuttering to the beauty of individual communication styles. This shift can lead to less self-consciousness and more joyful and spontaneous interactions. So, let's strive to create a world where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves, regardless of how they communicate. This episode was produced by Thomas Lu, fact checked by Ariella Zabidi, and edited by Giselle Grayson. Special thanks to Emily Abshire and NPR's Shortwave. I'm Emily Kwong. Support for NPR and this podcast comes from BlackRock's podcast, The Bid.
The Role of Global Capital Markets in Addressing Retirement Challenges: Investors are seeking solutions to retirement issues, and global capital markets can provide these solutions through long-term investment strategies and diversification. Sustainability also plays a role in investing.
Key takeaway from the latest episode of The Bid featuring Larry Fink, the chairman and CEO of BlackRock, is the importance of global capital markets in addressing various challenges, particularly retirement. Fink discussed how investors are seeking solutions to retirement issues, and the role that global capital markets can play in providing these solutions. He emphasized the need for long-term investment strategies and the potential benefits of diversification. Additionally, Fink touched on the importance of sustainability and the role it plays in investing. By listening to the episode and subscribing to BlackRock's market insights, investors can gain valuable insights from one of the world's leading financial institutions. Overall, the conversation underscores the significance of a well-informed investment approach and the potential impact of global capital markets on individuals' financial futures.
