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In “Things Fall Apart” Okonkwo, the main character, was said to have many faults. He had a minor stutter and whenever he was upset and could not articulate quickly enough he would use violence. His intolerance of laziness and improvidence was apparent. We should note that every man and of course every woman stammers, especially when agitated or angered.
History has it that Chinua Achebe, who attended Government College Umuahia, like most of us, was a stammerer. During one of the Homecoming Events in the early 70s one of the Ancient Umuahians ( as those who attended Government College are called), who was Chinua Achebe’s peer said he Achebe, was a great stammerer, and most of the intrinsic characters attributed to Okonkwo were an expository self-elucidation.
A lot of medical research has gone into discovering why people stammer. One, it is said to be genetic, that is, it runs in the family. And why do people stammer? Stammering is a neuro-developmental issue that typically first emerges between two and three years of age.
A stammer is a disorder of speech. There are stoppages and disruptions which interrupt the smooth flow and timing of the speech. These stoppages may take the form of repetitions of sounds, syllables or words – like saying da-da-daddy. There may also be prolonged sounds so that words seem to be stretched out – like saying mmmmmummy. It can also involve silent blocking of the outflow of speech.
Stammering and stuttering both mean the same thing. We use stammering in the United Kingdom while in other parts of the world, people refer to it as stuttering. The same number of boys and girls start to stammer within the age range of two to three, but girls are more likely to stop stammering earlier so in the adult population there is a ratio of four to five men for every woman who stammers. The reason for this sexual difference is not scientifically understood. As I said earlier, stammering tends to run in families. If there is someone in your immediate or extended family who used to stammer or who still does stammer, that suggests an inherited vulnerability. There are likely several genes involved in stammering.
Genetics does not entirely account for stammering. Studies of identical twins have shown that one can stammer while the other does not. This shows that other factors are involved in determining whether stammering emerges or not.
In rare cases, stammering can start in adult life when it is known as acquired or late-onset stammering and is most commonly caused by a stroke, resulting in damage to the brain. It may also be caused by head injury or severe emotional upset.
Whilst stammering is not known to be caused by environmental factors, other things like traumatic events, extreme stress and anxiety can cause a stammer. Pressured environments, for example interviews, examinations, or competitive events, are known to exacerbate it.
Speaking to people in positions of power, for example, managers, and teachers, tiredness, rushing, stress and struggles associated with daily living all lead to stammering.
Another research has shown that there are three different known types of stammering, viz: developmental stammer, neurologic stammer and psychogenic stammer. Each type of stammer has a different cause though the symptoms for each remain consistent with each other.
There is no cure for stammering. A stammer can last a lifetime or disappear in a few years. There are no medications available that affect stammering.
After a diagnosis, a treatment plan of one or more methods will be put in place to try and reduce some of the symptoms of a stammer and relieve the impact on the individual’s daily life.
Treatment usually includes speech therapy, breathing, relaxation, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and electronic devices.
People who stammer may be severely affected by their stammer. It can damage self-esteem which can have a long-lasting impact on the individual’s life.
Furthermore, it can cause difficulty in communication within relationships, which may impact families. Many Christian organisations support individuals and their families who are living with stammerers.
Providing a relaxed home environment that allows many opportunities for your child to speak. This includes making time to talk to each other especially when your child is excited and has a lot to say.
Not reacting negatively when the child stammers. Gently give all corrections and give praise when your child speaks without a stammer.
Speaking in a slightly slow and relaxed way. Listening carefully when your child speaks and waiting for them to say the intended word. Don’t try to complete the sentences for them.
Helping your child to be confident. Making them understand that they can communicate successfully even when they stammer. Providing consistent feedback to your child, about their speech in a friendly, non-judgmental and supportive way. Talking openly about stammering if your child wants to talk about it.
Without treatment about one to three in 100 older children, teenagers and adults will develop a persistent stammer (stutter). Many people with a stammer learn to control the stammer but still have problems if they feel stressed or speak in public. Always be medically guided.
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