During the second week of August 2018 I attended the face-to-face week of the Diploma in Disfluences that I have been studying. It was the culmination of months of continuous study of stuttering and other speech fluency disorders. I decided to specialize so that I could provide my patients with an evidence-based approach. The approach that many therapists still take to stuttering is outdated and there is little evidence of its effectiveness.
The Universidad de Concepción in Chile is one of the universities with the greatest tradition and prestige in this country. It stands out for its investigative extension in diverse areas of knowledge. It is the third oldest university in Chile and in charge of training excellent phonoaudiologists.
During 6 consecutive days we shared knowledge and extremely enriching clinical experiences. We were able to meet and share with colleagues from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Portugal, Brazil and the United States.
In addition to the specialization, I had the opportunity to attend the II International Seminar of Disfluences where diverse professionals of the continent shared presentations and experiences that broadened our vision of the disorder. Both events were held at the University's School of Medicine.
What is stuttering?
Disfluencies are disorders that affect speech fluency. The most common fluidity disorder is stuttering. It is because of this disorder that we receive more consultations. Did you know that 1% of the world's population has stuttering? Also that 5% of the child population begins to present disfluencies at an early age?
Disfluenced speech is characterized by interrupted speech. There are repetitions of sounds, prolongations or blockages. We can also find associated facial and body movements, vocal tension or alterations in respiratory patterns.
Disfluencies usually manifest early around age 3. However, they can also manifest later when the child goes through linguistic peaks. For example, school age or even adolescence (rarely appears in adulthood).
This appearance is variable and can appear suddenly or gradually and is more common in men, at a ratio of 4 to 1.
It is important to know these data in order to have a clear idea of which professional we can go to and when.
If your child begins to present disfluencies, you should know that the earlier the intervention begins, the more favorable the prognosis. Of the total number of children with disfluency 70% successfully pass the initial stages if we provide the appropriate intervention.
What causes stuttering?
It is important to mention that stuttering does not have an emotional cause, it is not caused by nerves, by a scare, or by trauma. It is not caused because the child has been exposed to hearing people who stutter, nor is it caused by stress or insecurity. Neither did the parents, nor the birth of a little brother. We must not be at fault!
Stuttering has an etiology clearly associated with genetic and neurological factors that makes a child more likely to be disfluent.
Who is in charge of intervening stuttering?
Stuttering is then considered a communication disorder. Therefore, the right professional for your evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention is the speech therapist. It should be noted that you should be sure to seek out a therapist with experience in stuttering.
I have had the experience that parents make a long journey by different specialists until they come to my office. They arrive with few results and with children who have been approached therapeutically inappropriately or too late. There's a tendency to wait, to give the child time. No! You don't have to give the disorder time.! This time is valuable because the therapy may have had good results while you waited.
It is also clear that although the cause is not emotional, there are important emotional repercussions at this level. Parents, children, adolescents, and adults with stuttering report that they have developed negative feelings toward their speech. This is why sometimes the therapist's work must go hand in hand with a psychologist or other professional.
In Language Therapist we offer you a team of professionals who work under the same therapeutic guidelines. We are available to provide a comprehensive intervention aimed at the common goal of restoring fluidity. But we also make sure to improve communication and emotions in the face of stuttering.
We also offer informative talks and meetings for parents, teachers and people with disabilities from all over Costa Rica. We have patients who visit us from Limón, Puntarenas or places far away from San José. If you are interested in any of our services please send us a message, a Whastapp to 70928392 or search us on Facebook.