Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by repetition of sounds, syllables, or words. Stuttering affects approximately 1% of the general population and 5-8% of preschool-aged children. The cause of stuttering remains unknown, and treatment options are limited.
While research is beginning to slowly uncover the mysteries of this condition, many myths persist. Media depictions of stuttering are often inaccurate and harmful, portraying characters who stutter as anxious, shy, weak, awkward, or just plain evil.
Join us for a film screening and panel discussion that pushes back against these stereotypes, shedding light on the condition through the experiences of those who live with stuttering, as well as those who are researching its causes. Panelists will include members of the Ann Arbor Stuttering Awareness and Research Club (A2STAR) as well as experts from the U-M Speech Neurophysiology Lab. Their insights will educate about stuttering, helping to deepen appreciate of the critically-acclaimed film The King's Speech which tells the story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped him navigate his stutter.
