SAM DINGMAN: This next conversation is going to be a bit of a departure for us. It's the kind of guest we often feature on The Show — someone with significant experience in an area you might not be familiar with, but this person might also sound different in conversation than what you're used to.
Mateo Sanchez is a high schooler at Brophy Prep. Like a lot of high school boys, he's a big baseball fan. Mateo also has a stutter. A condition that lots of people have, but which still isn't very well understood.
So, in addition to his schoolwork, Mateo recently launched a campaign to raise awareness about stuttering. And he came by our studios recently with his speech therapist, Jessica Hudson, to talk about what it's like to communicate with a stutter and how to talk to folks who have one.
JESSICA HUDSON: I think one of the misconceptions is that I think a lot of people think, "Oh, the person is just anxious or they're nervous." And that's not accurate at all. Somebody who's nervous or anxious may stutter, but that's not the reason why they stutter. That's not the original cause.
One of the ways that people think about stuttering is an iceberg. The top of the iceberg is maybe what people hear like a repetition or a block or something like that, and we can hear and see that. They don't really know the 80% that's underneath the iceberg.
DINGMAN: So what are some of the other elements that constitute that 80% that is submerged?
HUDSON: I think that it depends on the person. Every single person has a different experience with stuttering, a different relationship with stuttering. Different people who have said different things to them related to stuttering. And that I think is what grows the bottom of — can help to grow the bottom of the iceberg. Things like shame, embarrassment.
DINGMAN: Mateo, when you began working with Jessica, what felt different about this interaction that was helpful?
MATEO SANCHEZ: We first talked when I was in first grade.
HUDSON: I think so, maybe or kindergarten, first grade or kindergarten.
SANCHEZ: Yeah. And it was just like so open. And that helped me see like this will help.
DINGMAN: Got it. So like a sense of openness. That's really interesting. Jessica, I imagine that's something you're doing somewhat consciously. What are you listening for in one of those initial interactions?
HUDSON: Truly one of the things I'm not listening for — which seems very odd — is stuttering. Sometimes people will come in and they'll obviously think that I'm trying to count stutters or notice stutters. And I don't listen to the stuttering right away.
My job is not to fix stuttering or to fix a person at all. They are fine just the way they are. They are great just the way they are. And maybe they need support in communication and feeling more confident.
I really want to hear more about their experience and how stuttering is impacting them. So, I'm listening for things like what's hard for them? Also what, what's going well? Just really trying to get to know the person, not the stutter.
DINGMAN: Mateo, would you be comfortable talking a little bit about how it felt for you to — once you started working with Jessica — to move through your life, compared to what it felt like prior to when you started working together?
SANCHEZ: Yeah, I was a quiet kid. And like talked to my classmates. But it wasn't like a conversation. It was like a quick question and answer. And currently, I'm way more talkative — probably a bit too much. [LAUGHS]
HUDSON: Do you get in trouble in class? [LAUGHS]
SANCHEZ: No.
HUDSON: That's what I help people do, get in trouble in class. [LAUGHS]
SANCHEZ: So yeah, it's helped a lot.
DINGMAN: That's great. That's great. As part of your campaign, you have shared some do’s and don'ts for when you're interacting with somebody who has a stutter. Can you tell us what the good things to do are?
SANCHEZ: It's to let the person finish talking, and don't cut him off. Those are the top two.
DINGMAN: That makes sense. That makes sense. One of the ones that I was really grateful to read that you shared was, if you're talking to somebody with a stutter, don't speak for them or assume what they're going to say.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
DINGMAN: And that I can imagine being really valuable for people to hear because somebody might think that they're being helpful by assuming. What you're trying to say, but you don't actually know what somebody's gonna say, whether they have a stutter or not, you know.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
DINGMAN: Well, Mateo Sanchez and Jessica Hudson, thank you both very much for coming in and talking to us about this today.
Jessica is a speech language pathologist and founder of Stuttering and Speech Therapy of Arizona. Mateo is a student at Brophy College Prep, class of 2028. If you want me to say what your class year is —
SANCHEZ: No, no, that's fine, that's fine.
DINGMAN: OK, alright. [LAUGHS]
SANCHEZ: Oh yeah, class pride, let's go.
DINGMAN: Thank you both so much.
HUDSON: Thank you.
SANCHEZ: Thank you.
Stuttering Awareness 101
Mateo Sanchez offers more insights and tips.
What is a stutter?
Stuttering is a speech disorder that stops the flow of words and phrases. Each stutter is unique and no one stutters the same way. A stutter can vary from day to day and situation to situation.
What causes stuttering?
Stuttering is a genetic disorder and is neurodevelopmental. It arises from how the brain develops and functions. One major misconception about stuttering is that it's caused by emotions or being nervous or anxiety or trauma.
How many people stutter?
About 80 million people in the world stutter. That’s about 1% of the population.
What gender does it affect more?
Stuttering affects males more than females.
Is there a cure?
There is no cure for stuttering. Speech therapy and strategies can help. Some people stop stuttering when they get older. Some don’t.
Some Do’s and Don’ts with people who have a stutter (everyone’s stutter is unique!)
Do
- Have patience, show respect and be kind.
- Keep natural eye contact and listen to what they are saying and not how they are saying it.
- Remember, a person who stutters is trying his or her best to communicate.
- Ask the person what is helpful and what is not helpful.
- Learn about stuttering and raise awareness.
Don’t
- Don’t forget that a person who stutters is a human being.
- Don’t ask them to stop, start over and take a deep breath.
- Don’t speak for them or assume what they are going to say.
- Don’t make fun of someone who communicates differently than you.
- Don’t make assumptions about a person’s intelligence or abilities because of a stutter or any disability.
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