We observe that the frequency of stuttering often fluctuates depending upon the situation, communication partner, and various other factors. There are considerable differences among speakers who stutter; some are impacted more by the person they are speaking with, while others have more difficulty in one situation compared to another. In stuttering clinic, clients often speak very fluently with their clinician in the clinic, yet struggle with their stuttering outside in the real world. I think a large part of this is the client feeling comfortable with the clinician in the clinical setting because “the secret” (Hey, I stutter!) is known to the clinician and everyone at the clinic. Trying to hide it usually creates additional angst and stress. This is why we sometimes encourage clients to disclose their stuttering to others, because it can reduce the tension created by worrying if the listener will react to their stuttering. In some cases, the effect is very dramatic. I have a friend I invite to talk to my stuttering class; after introducing him as a person who stutters, he has no difficulty speaking and is fluent for the entire 90 minutes! When this effect is dramatic it says to me as a clinician that the client’s feelings and emotions about his stuttering comprise a significant component of his disability. Learning to disclose your stuttering in a way that maintains your dignity can be a very valuable tool toward overcoming the impact you allow your stuttering to have. But many stutter more at home where everyone knows about their stuttering – which seems to contradict the reasons just offered. There are at least two divergent explanations for this. First, stuttering usually develops while living at home and thus home can be strongly associated with stuttering. As a consequence, it may be harder to overcome this association than other environmental factors. So the home may be the place where employing newly acquired fluency happens later, rather than sooner. An alternative explanation is that home is a “safe haven” in which the person who stutters feels secure enough to “be themselves”, feeling accepted for who they are, and loved even though they stutter. There is no need for pretense or to hide their stuttering. “I can be who I am because I am loved here.” Neither explanation carries with it any elements of good/ bad or blame; its just part of the uniqueness of stuttering.
Gary Rentschler , Ph.D, CCC-SLP, BRS-FD