commentr/StutterFebruary 10, 2021

Content

I developed a stutter around age 6 and struggle with it still today. I'm 39 now with a successful career in corporate finance. I've learned ways to hide my stutter, so much so that many people probably don't know I have one, but it's exhausting to do for an hour long meeting. Also have ADHD, inattentive type. That was just diagnosed a few months ago though. In one of your comments you mentioned that your son has some anxiety around his stutter. I'd put money down that this anxiety is just feeding the stutter and preventing him from finding the confidence he needs. I went to speech therapy for a couple of years around age 7-10. It was awful and actually made it worse. I would miss class for it and everyone knew why. That was a tough thing to cope with. If you do therapy, I'd suggest trying to do it outside of school hours if possible. If I could go back and tell my parents one thing, it would have been to address the anxiety. Our anxiety is getting hit from both sides (the stutter and the ADHD). I spent a few years in therapy identifying the roots of it and working through how in my early 30s on how to handle it. Also, Adderall made the world of difference for my anxiety. As a parent though, I could see it being difficult weighing the pros/cons of giving my child a stimulant. I just know it works wonders for me now. In short, keep doing exactly what you're doing, and help him work through the anxiety as well. That is still a big trigger for my stuttering today. Hang in there...it gets better. He'll have a bumpy road ahead, I'm sure, but if you continue to support him and give him any and every tool possible, then he'll turn out to be amazing person. Many of us here had little/no/terrible help at that age. We've either figured out our own work around or have just embraced it. Just know that your starting point today is way beyond where many of us were at his age. You're a good person, giving your son the world, and he knows that. Passing along a big internet hug to you, your wife, and your son.

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceSchool & WorkEmotional ExperienceCauses & VariabilityMeds & Substances

Subthemes

Hiding & ConcealmentSchool & Academic LifeAnxiety & Social JudgmentStress & Fight/FlightHelpful Med OutcomesPreparation & Rehearsal

Codes (1)

stimulants_prescribed