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Abstract: Stuttering is a treatable problem and music can play a role in facilitating improvement in enhancing speech and fluency. The definition, causes, techniques and implications for music therapists and music educators working with children who stutter are described, alongside a discussion on the use of music in the movie The King's Speech.
I have chosen to write this article in the healing series about stuttering and the implications for beneficial music interventions. I have not worked extensively in this area until present as several of my music therapy students at the University of Windsor were working with clients with this issue. Recently, stuttering has received attention in popular culture with the production of the movie The King's Speech. This article will provide a definition of stuttering, causes, as well as techniques and implications for music therapists and music educators who are working with children who stutter, alongside a discussion on the use of music in the movie.
Stuttering Defined
Stuttering is a developmental condition that affects the normal flow of speech. It is most prevalent in children beginning around age 18-24 months. Stuttering is treatable and usually dissipates by adulthood, but does remain a lifelong problem for 1% of the adult population. Büchel and Sommer (2004) define stuttering as "a disruption in the fluency of verbal expression characterized by involuntary, audible or silent, repetitions or prolongations of sounds or syllables" (p. 159). Other characteristics such as fear, embarrassment, or irritation may also be exhibited by an individual who stutters. According to Büchel and Sommer (2004) stuttering is a symptom, not a disease, and usually evolves before puberty (between the ages of two and five). Further, they explain there are two types of stuttering: persistent developmental stuttering (PDS) and acquired stuttering - a neurological acquired stutter which occurs after brain damage resulting from a stroke or head trauma.
PDS affects approximately 1% of the population, with instances similar in all social classes. In many cases, stuttering severely impairs communication, with devastating socioeconomic consequences (Büchel and Sommer, 2004). Additionally, the authors report that the recovery rate of those affected by a stutter has recently increased to approximately 80%. Recovery is more frequent in girls than in boys, and research has yet to be conducted...