Originally Posted By Mr X I have a friend who has awful trouble with a stuttering problem. It seems very unusual to me, there's no stammering, he simply gets stuck and can't complete the word or phrase he is trying to complete. Sometimes he can get it out after a few seconds, other times it's so bad he gives up and just says "sorry, I can't". The really weird thing (to my ears) is that it seems like he starts on a completely unrelated syllable often (for example, he might say "st............" and if I say "you want to say "stutter", he's say "no, no, it's......ice cream", just as a case in point). He's a Japanese guy, but it's not a language barrier thing because he told me it happens in his native Japanese as well (we generally speak English with each other though), and he's getting very frustrated because it seems to be getting worse and worse. He hasn't directly asked me for any help, so I don't really feel it's my place to offer, but I was just curious if anyone knows any websites or techniques that work well in case he does ask me for help (or perhaps if I find some good info I could gently offer it to him as a possibility). Anyone have any experience in this area? Thanks in advance!
Originally Posted By crazycroc I think the best way to be his friend is to just be his friend and let him decide that he wants help on his own, if that ever happens. Butting in, Crazycroc
Originally Posted By disney pete ive found is what annoys people with a stutter is when you try to finish their lines for them,it must be so frustrating.
Originally Posted By ophellia sounds trippy, but singing, and reading aloud help...anything with a cadence...try having him read to you...it can work...
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight I have a cousin that had a severe stutter. Singing is a good therapy and poetry and snapping your finger when your stuck on a word.( wich is funny because that was also in a scene from To Wong Fu Thanks For everything Julie Newmar) I dont know why this helps , but for him it did. He also did some theater in High school and for whatever reason , when he was in character he didn't stutter at all. It was weird. He is in his mid 40's now and still has a slight stutter but not nearly as bad as when he was younger.
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight X, as your friend tried any of thse things or does his stuttering not bother himself?
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins If asked, I would recommend a speech therapist. They've made strides in their treatment of stuttering.
Originally Posted By DAR I have a friend who's a teacher who has a mild stuttering problem. But it's at a point where I don't even notice it. But one thing I would recommend is don't finish the sentence unless asked to, I did that once early on and it wasn't the best idea. Funny story another friend of mine came out with us one time, it was the first time they had met and he asked how old she was. She told him 27 and stuttered a little while telling him. My friend replied, you kind of stuttered on that age. She replied with because I do stutter. My friend spent the entire night apologizing.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***X, as your friend tried any of thse things or does his stuttering not bother himself?*** It bothers him very much, he seems very concerned and frustrated by it.
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight They have self help books on stutterng if he would like to try one of those as well. A speach therapist would help him as well. I know that my cousin used to get so frustrated when talking and it was excruciating for him to have to give oral reports at school. He still dreads having to talk to his employees or at gatherings with people he doesn't know to this day because of it,but his stuttering now,isnt nearly what it used to be. May I ask how old your friend is and if his stuttering is getting worse over the years?
Originally Posted By Mr X He's in his early 30's, and I'm not sure about over the years but I've known him for about a year now and it has definitely gotten worse over that time (when we met, it was nearly non-existent unless it simply didn't occur when we were together by an odd coincidence...anyway, seems to be getting worse and worse to me). I appreciate what everyone wrote, particularly the "not my business" part since it certainly is not...however the comment about an MRI sure does concern me!
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight Well if it is getitng worse then that's a good idea for him to have an MRI it might be stress related too. Might be a little more there that needs addressing. Good to just have him check in to an MRI. It wouldn't hurt.
Originally Posted By Mr X So how would people recommend I suggest it without insulting him? I'm certainly torn between giving a recommendation and minding my own business here!
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin Ask him if he's spoken to his dr about it. Don't pressure him just let him know you are concerned and for your peace would he please mention it during his next visit. Or else I've been watching too much Grey's Anatomy...
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk I agree first with JazzCat. Could be a medical problem. Second, I have found so much success with the Landmark Education program. Sometimes life can affect us more than we realize.
Originally Posted By JazzCat Mr.X, please don't let the MRI suggestion bother you. It's much more of a elimination or preventative medical procedure.
