Whether you are among the 1 percent of the world s population that stutters or not, it helps to know and understand the basic facts about this speech condition to put things in a better perspective. This is especially helpful for parents with children who stutter. The following are some of the essential and interesting facts about stammering that people should know: Individuals who stutter are normal, as they lack only the ability to express words fluently. Almost everyone has had experienced it, and it is not a cause for alarm if it does not interfere much in the clarity of a message or speech. However, some people tend to stutter more often than others do. Stammering becomes a speech problem if it gets in the way of communication or expressing oneself clearly. You have to be comfortable in verbalizing your thoughts to other people. While you are at this stage, you must not feel very pressured to speak in a fluent manner. It doesn t matter at this point if you are fluent or not. What matters more is how you feel why you are speaking with others. As you try to find your voice and as you begin getting rid of initial nervousness, you will eventually learn to speak in more fluent terms. Thus, the third key point is about a therapy that alters speech, attitude and behaviour. Last, be sure to be clear about the process. Speech therapies are sometimes available at local health clinics or university speech clinics. But do remember that mostly clinicians and pathologists here are graduate students in training. Shift your focus on an area at the back of the room (or space, if it is an open area). * Speak loudly. It may seem to be counteractive because the louder you talk, the more people would notice your stutter. But that s not completely true. Speaking loudly in fact helps you vocalize each sound of your words properly, keeping you from repeating certain syllables or words. An example of drug that has been tried but with little effect is the antihistamine, which has anti-anxiety and hypnotic effects. Other minor tranquilizers include reserpine and meprobamate. Both are effective in lessening anxiety and physical tension. Meanwhile, there are also drugs being prescribed based on a symptomatic and serendipitous basis.