Stuttering and ADHD

There have been many different thoughts on the cause of stuttering. One of them, the possibility of genetic factors involved has received a lot of attention recently. So there have been many studies on that recently and it has shown that stuttering often runs in families and that about 70% of the variance in liability to stutter can be accounted for through inheritable factors.

I myself however, cannot say that it runs in my family save for an uncle who has a little bit of it. For some people who have no family history of stuttering, it has been said that congenital factors and early neurological incidents might have contributed to their problem. With the possibility of neurological factors involved, adults stutterers who have no apparent genetic causes seem to be more likely to have increased ADHD(Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) characterictics.

Though much further research needs to be done on the subject before we can be sure of anything, reports suggest that the presence of ADHD among children who stutter is much higher than in the general population. Because of this, researchers and pathologists are getting ready to look deeper into this and prepare for strategies to better help people with stuttering and ADHD or ADHD characteristics.

ADHD and it's characteristics can have big impact on the effectiveness of therapy on a child. They may find it difficult to moniter their behaviors in real life, especially under pressure. These kids will have trouble monitering their speech and make the necessary corrections despite the fact that they may know exactly what to do. This has been mistaken for not wanting to use the strategies or lack of motivation.

There is also the question of pharmacutecals. The most common treatment of ADHD is the use of drugs. If the person has ADHD and stuttering, we must be careful of what kind of effects the drugs have on the stuttering because there is the very real possibility that certain drugs increase stuttering. Then there are ways to find out if the medicine can be changed.

So basically, even though we cannot be fully sure of the connections between ADHD and stuttering, the possibility is too big to ignore and I'm sure there certainly are many people with both conditions. Pathologishts, parents and stutterers should be aware of this issue.


1. Healey, E., C., & Reid, R. (2003). Tutorial on Stuttering and ADHD. Journal of Fluency Disorders. Volume 28, Number 2.

2. Felsenfeld, S., Kirk, K.M., Zhu, G., Statham, D.J., Neale, M.C., & Martin, N.G. (2000). A study of the genetic and environmental etiology of stuttering in a selected twin sample. Behavioral Genetics. Sep;30(5):359-66.

3. Yairi, E., Ambrose, N., & Cox N. (1996). Genetics of stuttering: a critical review. Journal of Speech, Language, Hearing Research. Aug;39(4):771-84.

Stuttering Album

I just got news of this and it really seems like a terrific project that will benefit anyone who feels strongly about stuttering. It is an album eight years in the making, consisting of 15 songs written by children who stutter and recorded by prominent artists such as Carly Simon, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Duncan Sheik, John Forte, and Mandy Patinkin. Jon Bon Jovi donated the use of his state-of-the-art facility for the recording. The album is called, "LISTEN." All kinds of artists have given their contributions on this project for the stuttering cause and a "call for compassion and acceptance, and for respect of one-another's differences." Out world is very fast paced and hectic nowadays with decision making, traveling, shopping, catching the bus, running errands, and driving. 'LISTEN' urges us to stop and catch a breath. Stuttering people have a lot of trouble effectively expressing themselves quickly enough. The children who had a hand in producing this album are from an organization called "Our Time." It is a non-profit organization founded by Taro Alexander (also a stutterer) and fueled by Musical Director Everett Bradley and is designed to give children who stutter time to freely express themselves through art, music, writing and theater. Proceeds from this album will help this organization. This new project allows kids who have potential to thrive, flourish, and express themselves and show the world that stuttering people can be very eloquent, brilliant, creative if they are just given the chance to convey what they have to show in their own pace. The songs can show people how these children feel and what the world is like for them.

Link to the website


Here is a list of the songs, one can tell a lot from those names :)

All I Want Is Love (written by Our Time member Andre Gillyard, age 16)
Lead vocals - Holly Brook, Duncan Sheik
Background vocals - Original cast members from Spring Awakening

You Don't Know Hurt (written by Our Time member Linda Gjonbalaj, age 15)
Lead vocals - Carly Simon
Background vocals - Lucy Woodward

Nothing In This World (written by Our Time member Dashawn Taylor, age 12)
Lead and background vocals - Daryl Hall and John Oates

Breathe In (written by Our Time member Naudia Jones, age 17)
Lead Vocals - Mandy Patinkin

When I Am Loved (written by Our Time member Dashawn Taylor, age 14)
Lead vocals - Nicki Richards

Perfect Place (written by Our Time member Keith Russell, age 16 / rap solo written by John Forte)
Lead and background vocals - Adam Pascal, John Forte, Carly Simon

Proud Of You (written by Our Time member Isaiah Fletcher, age 15)
Lead Vocals - Isaiah Fletcher, Michelle Weeks

Flaunt It (written by Our Time member Naudia Jones, age 17)
Lead vocals - Adriane Lenox, Mary Testa

Our Time Made Us Loud (written by Our Time members Andre Gillyard, age 18, Jonathan Greig, age 17, and Keith Russell, age 17)
Lead Vocals - Jonathan Greig, Andre Gillyard, Keith Russell
Special appearance - Stomp

What We Have To Say (written by Our Time members Linda Gjonbalaj, age 15, Yoni Messing, age 15)
Lead vocals - Anthony Rapp

Let Go Of The Past (written by Our Time members Nina Hersher, age 16, Alison Williams, age 15)
Lead Vocals - Daphne Rubin-Vega

Carry On (written by Our Time teens, ages 13-18)
Lead vocals - Sherie Rene Scott, Norm Lewis

Booyaland (written by Our Time members Julianna Padilla, age 10, Victoria Perlman, age 11)
Lead vocals - Ann Hampton Callaway; Special appearance - Blue Man Group

Listen To Your Heart (written by Our Time member Lindsay Campbell, age 18)
Lead Vocals - Michael Cerveris, Kelli O'Hara

Magical Place (written by Our Time pre-teens, ages 8-12)
Lead vocals - Julianna Padilla; Special appearance - William Gallison