In today’s society, we are now trying to erase a variety of stigmas for physical and mental illnesses. We’re advocating for support against judgement on those with disabilities, whether it be for the lame, the depressed, the anxious, etc. While these disorders are worth fighting for, we must remember cognitive disorders, such as speech.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, roughly five percent of children have speech disorders by the time they enter first grade, more than 3 million Americans stutter, and some speech disorders are linked to autism. I’m passionate about this research not just because of the needed attention, but because I also have a speech disorder.
I grew up with hearing problems so bad that I didn’t pick up words until almost the age of four. My parents thought I was a colic baby and didn’t realize until then that I had an on-going ear infection. After a few years of intense speech therapy, I was able to start kindergarten at six years-old. Even with the help I received, it didn’t prepare me for social interaction.
My classmates were social butterflies and would often crack jokes. They would often look at me for a response. Though I had the capability of forming clever comebacks and witty remarks, it would take my brain forever to organize the words to where it would sound funny. My responses brought awkward silences, disinterested looks and complete ignorance. No one really made a point to communicate with me after a while. I was funny, but my speech discredited it.
Restaurant visits were awkward as well. Most of the establishments had a low volume setting of music in the background, which was fine. Other places, unfortunately, had music as loud as possible and/or everyone there would be talking loudly. These ambient sounds often distracted me, and I would often have to follow-up a statement or question with, “What?” at least three times, which was embarrassing. It often portrayed me as uncaring, redundant or even asocial.
I became aware that if anyone was going to listen to me, I had to talk slower and more carefully than usual. This was seemingly the only way I could be coherent without my brain being word-scattered and my mouth not as tongue-tied. However, when it came to topics that I was passionate about, it was different. I would stutter and and my impediment would be more pronounced, switch words around and lose control of my speech. Though my opinions were valid, factual and sound, people would stop listening.
As I grew up, I learned how to combat most of the disorder, became more confident and ended up showcasing in the speech category two years in a row at the Academic Decathlon state championship during high school. Sadly, speech disorders are still present in this world and don’t receive a lot of the recognition that they deserve.
So the next time you meet someone that has a speech disorder, just listen. Their words are still valid and important, so don’t dismiss them. Knowledge and ideas can come out of anyone.
