When we think of science, we often envision a well-established body of knowledge supported by undeniable facts. However, science is not static, and its findings can evolve as new data emerge. This is particularly true when dealing with complex issues like stuttering, where the scientific landscape has seen significant shifts over the years.
Evolving Science
The belief that stuttering is incurable has been deeply ingrained in both the medical and therapeutic communities. It’s a notion that many individuals who stutter have heard from speech therapists, doctors. However, as we navigate through the ever-changing world of science, it becomes clear that scientific perspectives can change, too.
Take, for example, Dr. Fauci’s role of Covid in the U.S. In late 2021, he declared, “I am the science” behind the U.S. Covid rules. Dr. Fauci’s statements highlight the fluid nature of science. Scientific understanding is not set in stone, and doctors and scientists update their positions as new data become available.
As recently as the past seven decades, the prevailing belief was that the brain’s wiring was fixed at birth and could not be changed. Over time, this notion evolved. The idea shifted from “hard-wired at birth” to “hard-wired at age ten,” then to “hard-wired at age 28,” and eventually to the realization that the brain can be rewired or retrained throughout a person’s life. It’s essential to remember that scientific knowledge is not static; it adapts to new findings.
Challenging Incurability and Acceptance
One long-standing belief, especially in the realm of speech therapy, is that stuttering is an incurable disorder that individuals must accept. This dogma has been deeply rooted in the medical community, and it has been presented as the result of “science.” However, when we examine the evolving science behind stuttering, we find that the evidence supporting this dogma is far from conclusive.
For far too long, a widespread crisis has existed regarding stuttering and its cousin, severe speech anxiety, often leading to selective mutism and prolonged silence throughout individuals’ lives. Many individuals openly express their thoughts of suicide due to the immense challenges posed by stuttering. It’s estimated that around 70-80 million people stutter, with approximately ten times that number choosing to remain semi-mute to avoid speech-related anxiety and risks.
But the time has come to reevaluate and discard the dogmas of “incurability” and “acceptance.” It’s time to help those who struggle with speech disorders, known collectively as People Who Stutter (PWS), achieve fluency and regain control over their lives. To accomplish this, let’s explore the evolving science behind stuttering and fluency.
Bernal’s Ladder: The Unwillingness to Accept New Ideas
Throughout history, there has been a reluctance to accept new and different ideas. Dr. John Bernal, a renowned Irish scientist who pioneered X-ray crystallography, humorously summarized this phenomenon in what became known as “Bernal’s Ladder.” Scientists often respond to new ideas in predictable stages:
- First, they dismiss the new idea as false.
- Next, they acknowledge the idea but deem it unimportant.
- Later, they concede the idea’s importance but claim it lacks originality.
- Finally, they accept the idea but insist it’s what they’ve always believed.
This reluctance to accept new ideas is not unique to stuttering but is a common theme in scientific history.
The Bogus “Science” Behind Incurability and Acceptance
The prevailing dogma that stuttering is incurable and should be accepted is based on inadequate scientific evidence. This dogma primarily stems from the speech therapy provided by speech pathologists, who were taught that stuttering is incurable, to begin with. Their therapy typically begins with the assertion that there is no cure for stuttering and that it must be accepted. Unsurprisingly, these therapies, often administered by individuals who have never experienced stuttering themselves, fail to help PWS overcome their speech impediments. In some cases, these therapies may even exacerbate the problem.
This result-oriented therapy is inherently flawed. The speech pathologists training is limited, with only a few hours dedicated to stuttering, and they are instilled with the belief that it is incurable. Moreover, over 90% of these professionals have never experienced stuttering themselves, which further hinders their understanding of the condition.
The erroneous dogma of “incurability” and “acceptance” is perpetuated by the predictably failed therapies of those who lack personal experience with stuttering. The fact that the blind cannot see a sunset does not negate the existence of sunsets. The science, or systematic study, that supports these dogmas is deeply flawed and needs to be discarded.
Supporting Data
The widely held belief that stuttering is incurable is based on an array of predictably failed cases. If 10,000 speech language pathologists (SLPs) who never stuttered or still do each treat one PWS and fail to help them stop stuttering, 10,000 failed cases are reported. The accumulation of these cases only underscores the fact that those who do not understand stuttering are unable to provide effective solutions. This does not negate the existence of solutions for stuttering; it simply highlights the limitations of certain therapies.
Conclusion: Rethinking Stuttering and Fluency
In conclusion, the evolving science behind stuttering and fluency challenges the long-standing dogma that stuttering is incurable and must be accepted. The prevailing belief, perpetuated by therapies administered by individuals who have never experienced stuttering themselves, has not provided an effective solution for PWS.
The rapidly expanding body of evidence from ex-stutterers provides a counter-narrative, demonstrating that stuttering can be overcome. The millions of people affected by stuttering, many of whom experience severe emotional distress, deserve to hear this message of hope. It’s time to rethink our understanding of stuttering and embrace a more optimistic perspective that supports individuals in their journey toward fluency.
It’s essential to recognize that scientific understanding is not static, and as we gather more evidence, our perspectives and methods should adapt accordingly. The evolving science of stuttering encourages us to reevaluate the dogma and provide effective solutions for those who seek fluency and self-confidence.
