ddddooog's name n-a-a-a-ame is Rover. This child stutters. Other people can understand him but they are sometimes distracted by the way he talks. They especially notice the way he looks away when he is stuttering. Sometimes they laugh, and this causes him to stutter more. Sometimes children and adults try to help by saying: "Think before you talk'' "Take your time'' "Slow down'' "Take a deep breath before you speak'' These suggestions and others like these do not really help. They only make him more tense and cause him to stutter more.

Stuttering is perhaps the most commonly recognised speech problem. Most people speak smoothly and fluently without thinking about it. People who stutter may repeat sounds "li-li-li-like this'' or "sssssssstrech'' out sounds. They may get stuck on a sound. They may struggle silently for several seconds before finally pronouncing the word. They may repeat the same word several times because they cannot say the next one. And the next time they talk, they might not have any trouble on the same word.

Everyone may repeat or hesitate when tired or excited. But some people have these problems much of the time. People who stutter are often self conscious about their speech. They may avoid talking as much as possible. We are not certain what causes stuttering. But we do know that most people who stutter start to do so at around the age of three of four. Normally many children go through a time of repeating sounds or hesitating. But some children do not outgrow it. The hesitations and repetitions become worse as time goes on.

Early treatment for stuttering usually gives the best results. It can even present a small problem from becoming habitual stuttering. Children who are beginning to repeat sounds and hesitate should be evaluated by a Speech-Language Pathologist. Sometimes the Speech-Language Pathologist works with the parents to reduce pressures on the child and sometimes the Speech-Language Pathologist works directly with the child. Treatment is longer and more difficult with older children and adults. Their stuttering is usually more severe because of years of embarrassment. People who have stuttered for a long time have learned many tricks to hide their stuttering. However, those tricks only work for a short time. treatment in these cases may not end stuttering completely. However, it can help reduce the problem. This can make the persons peak more comfortably. Many famous people have improved their speech and overcome their fear of stuttering. Some of these people are Winston Churchill, Carly Simon and James Earl Jones.

Here are some suggestions for helping people who stutter. They are good guidelines to follow when talking with anyone.

Stay relaxed and pay attention to what the speaker is saying (people who stutter want to complete their ideas) and not how he is saying it.

Let the person know that you understand what is being said by nodding your head.

Don't finish words for them.

Don't look away as if to show you are embarrassed for them.

Maintain natural eye contact.

Be aware that those who stutter usually have more trouble on the telephone.

Please be extra patient in this situation. Do not hang up too quickly.

Above all, do not treat stuttering as a joke, people who stutter sometimes laugh at what they say out of nervousness, but they do not think their stuttering is funny. If you would like to know more about stuttering or whether you should refer a child or someone you know please do not hesitate to call 236-0224 ext. 325. Yvonne West Speech -- Language Pathologist Department of Health.