Verified by The Dangerfield Effect
Offers a look at how stuttering can be prevented. View of William H. Perkins; Belief that the condition is triggered by a dominance conflict; Example of Rodney Dangerfield and his belief that a listener accords him less respect than he deserves; Doesn't feel free to protest; Resulting conflict retards how fast the child can integrate syllables and sounds; Stuttering that results can be addictive; Finds its the only way to get needed attention from parents; How parents can help.
By PT Staff published July 1, 1992 - last reviewed on February 8, 2019
Whatever the cause of stuttering, there is no known cure. But, according to one leading speech specialist, it can be prevented.
In the view of William H. Perkins, Ph.D., director of the University of Southern California's Stuttering Center, the condition is triggered by a dominance conflict Like Rodney Dangerfield, a child feels a listener accords him less respect than he deserves, yet doesn't feel free to protest.
The resulting conflict retards how fast the child can integrate syllables and sounds; at the same time it makes him feel as though he has to push ahead to say what he needs to say. And it tightens the muscles of the throat, mouth, and chest.
The stuttering that results "can be addictive to a child, who begins to stutter in frustration and finds that it is the only way to get the attention he wants from his parents," says Perkins. "Anything that disempowers the child can be the cause of stuttering. Speech starts flying over, around, and through him, and he is unable to make an impact."
Perkins believes that parents can help young stutterers overcome the problem by modifying their own behavior and speech to allow their children a chance to be more assertive.
o Never tell a child who stutters to slow down; instead, do it by example and slow down yourself.
o Pay attention to your child when he isn't stuttering, not when he is.
o Listen carefully to what your child has to say.
o Reduce the stress your child is experiencing at home, at school, or both.
o Help him to feel confident and assertive in and out of the home.
"It's a matter of making me child feel like he can have an impact and some control of the effect he produces," says Perkins. "Children who are secure and able to control communication are able to get attention when they need it."
However the effect, Perkins believes the results warrant therapeutic action right now. "Anger suppression can classify a person as high or low risk, and trying to change a behavior pattern has less risk of side effects than medication later on."
