Science of Stammering

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<p>In this edition of Discovery, Erika Wright explores the science of Stammering, a widely misunderstood condition that occurs at the same level in all cultures, countries and languages. There is a window of opportunity in early childhood when stammering begins but is also a time of natural faltering when help may not be required, so therapists and parents have to decide when and whether to intervene. </p><p>To add to the complexity many young children who stammer will recover naturally – although the exact number is debated and so therefore, is the incidence of stammering – but it’s universally agreed that to identify those that will persist is critical. </p><p>There are clear risk factors for Stammering and Discovery speaks to the professor of speech pathology who has made it a lifelong quest to study the common factors that may place children at risk.</p><p>There is news of a new trial using brain stimulation while adults who stutter talk on the beat, to see if word fluency can be enhanced.</p><p>And new initiatives in Rwanda and Burkina Faso - to name just two - where volunteers are working to combat the stigma often associated with this problem.</p><p>(Photo credit: Dieudonne Nsabimana, co-ordinator, African Stuttering Research Centre)</p>