Holding the keys to stammering? - Latest research
2nd August, 2002

The British Stammering Association (BSA) welcomes any research such as that recently published by the team from Hamburg University in The Lancet which throws some light on what might cause stammering - a speech problem that has recently been highlighted for the public by Gareth Gates, the 'Pop Idol' star who also happens to stammer.

The research by the Hamburg team seems to suggest that the answer to finding a cause for stammering may lie in more understanding of how the brain works in people who stammer. Such a possibility is certainly appreciated by Norbert Lieckfeldt, Chief Executive of the British Stammering Association, who himself stammers. He says: 'As a person who stammers myself, psychological explanations of what causes stammering have always seemed suspect. To me this research certainly rings true, as my stammering feels very much like a brain malfunction, almost like lightning in the mind.'

Stammering is still a baffling condition and the British Stammering Association are running a telephone helpline (0845 603 2001) to assist the thousands of enquirers who contact us each year. Callers will receive a free-tailor-made information pack and details on how to contact their NHS speech therapy service. Our website (www.stammering.org) is the most authoritative source of impartial information on all aspects of stammering.

The BSA is the only national charity supporting both adults and children who stammer. Reseach indicates that stammering in early childhood can be alleviated and referral to speech and language therapy at the point of concern is recommended. Referrals may be made through a Health Visitor, GP or by direct contact with the local Speech & Language Therapy department - a message currently disseminated to thousands of parents through our Parental Awareness Campaign. Our Education Project is producing interactive CD-ROMs for use in primary and secondary schools on how best to support pupils who stammer, and an additional CD-ROM to assist stammering pupils in the preparations for the oral English GCSE examinations. Our Employment Project has recently produced two new leaflets for people who stammer in employment, and also for employers of people who stammer, giving information on best practice in recruitment and employment.

Many studies have been carried out into the psychological aspects of stammering which failed to show any significant differences in the psychological composition of the stammering and non-stammering populations. This is to the best of our knowledge the first time a physiological difference has been identified which should put to rest 'urban myths' such as stammering is caused by nervousness.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

The British Stammering Association was established in 1978 to help the 800,000 stammerers in Britain, almost half of them children, and their families. Today it is still the only organisation in Britain registered as helping all stammerers from onset in childhood to adulthood. It does this by researching various projects and lobbying parliament to implement recommendations or by setting up helplines, self help groups, support services, training programmes and information services.

For further information, see BSA media contacts.

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