September 20, 2012 in Features
Anthony L. Komaroff Universal Uclick
DEAR DOCTOR K: My child stutters. Why does he do this? What can we do to helphim?
DEAR READER: I remember the first time I met someone who stuttered. He was a playmate when I was in grade school, whose parents knew my parents. I never heard him say the words mother or father. It was always m-m-m-mother orf-f-f-father.
When I asked my mom about him, she explained that he was probably having emotionalproblems.
My moms diagnosis reflected common beliefs. For a long time, stuttering was believed to be a psychological problem. But recent research suggests that stuttering has a strong biological basis, even though it may also be affected byemotions.
In fact, recent studies indicate that genetic factors probably play a larger role than scientists once thought. A study published in 2010 in the New England Journal of Medicine identified specific changes in genes (short sequences of genetic material) that may increase the risk of stuttering. At least one of these genes is particularly active in parts of the brain linked to motor function and emotion. Speech involves tremendous motorcoordination.
There also is evidence that strong emotions and anxiety can intensify stuttering. You cant change your childs genetic inheritance, but you can influence his emotional state. In particular, you can help your child by doing thefollowing:
Be a patient, attentivelistener.
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Doctor K: Genetic factors play role in stuttering - Thu, 20 Sep 2012 PST