October 22, 2015, is International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD). The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) joins the International Stuttering Association, the National Stuttering Association and the Stuttering Foundation of America in observance of ISAD. in observance of ISAD. This year’s theme is Spread the Word Through Education, Cooperation, Communication.
Stuttering is a common speech disorder in which sounds, syllables, or words are repeated or prolonged, disrupting the normal flow of speech. The disorder affects people of all ages and begins most frequently in young children between the ages of 2 and 6, as they are developing their language skills. Most children outgrow stuttering but many do not, and it has been estimated that as many as 1 percent of Americans, roughly three million people, live with this disorder.
ISAD was developed by the International Stuttering Association to recognize the growing alliance between speech-language professionals and patients. Providers and patients work together to share, support, and educate one another and the general public on the impact of stuttering.
The NIDCD supports research to identify the causes of stuttering and to explore ways to improve the early identification and treatment of the disorder. NIDCD scientist Dennis Drayna, Ph.D., chief, NIDCD Section on Systems Biology of Communication Disorders, has worked with a team of researchers in his lab and with international scientists to identify a number of genes associated with stuttering. These genetic discoveries are leading to an improved understanding of stuttering. Dr. Drayna participated as a special guest in a StutterTalk podcast to discuss the role of genetics in stuttering on March 4, 2015. To listen to the podcast, visit the Stuttertalk website.
The NIDCD also provides science-based health education materials for people who stutter, their families and advocates, and health professionals working in the field. For more information, including a fact sheet on stuttering, visit the health information section of the NIDCD website. You can learn about and find clinical trials currently recruiting volunteers nationwide at the NIH Clinical Research Trials and You website.
For more information on ISAD, please visit the ISAD website.
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