How does stuttering affect the brain?

[jonz]

Hello all,

I'm a new member here -- I just posted a 'hey there' thread in the new user sub-forum, but the reason that I am here is because I want to ask you fellow stutterers a question.

As my post in the 'new member' forum lays out, I have been able to for the most part conquer my stuttering. It's never easy, but a strong mental focus allows me to use the techniques I've learned to get past those speech blocks (usually only when I'm tired now).

I've gotten to thinking... In many ways I am left-brained. I do IT technical support, but my real passion is coding using PHP/AJAX. I've always been good at math and various left-brained-focused things. That got me thinking though, because even though I am really good at those sorts of thought processes, I really enjoy the 'design' element of creating software/web applications.

I did some reading, and some of the articles I read indicate that, for whatever reason, in stutterers the right-brain is much more involved in speech development. I'm almost thinking that, and this is just a theory, that in the stuttering brain if you are left brained, and stutter, the right-brain takes over given enough training. In a way, it feels to me like my brain works differently then anyone around me.

To remember things such as facts/etc, I have to visualize them being written when I close my eyes... However, when it comes to numbers, it doesn't work that way -- I just get it after enough practice.

I'm wondering, have any of you ever felt the same way? It's kind of hard to get into other people's heads to see how they think, but I'm hoping you all might lead me to some insight in terms of how the stuttering brain, whether or not that person has overcome those challenges, works.

Thanks!

[TenaciousD]

Hello all,

I'm a new member here -- I just posted a 'hey there' thread in the new user sub-forum, but the reason that I am here is because I want to ask you fellow stutterers a question.

As my post in the 'new member' forum lays out, I have been able to for the most part conquer my stuttering. It's never easy, but a strong mental focus allows me to use the techniques I've learned to get past those speech blocks (usually only when I'm tired now).

I've gotten to thinking... In many ways I am left-brained. I do IT technical support, but my real passion is coding using PHP/AJAX. I've always been good at math and various left-brained-focused things. That got me thinking though, because even though I am really good at those sorts of thought processes, I really enjoy the 'design' element of creating software/web applications.

I did some reading, and some of the articles I read indicate that, for whatever reason, in stutterers the right-brain is much more involved in speech development. I'm almost thinking that, and this is just a theory, that in the stuttering brain if you are left brained, and stutter, the right-brain takes over given enough training. In a way, it feels to me like my brain works differently then anyone around me.

To remember things such as facts/etc, I have to visualize them being written when I close my eyes... However, when it comes to numbers, it doesn't work that way -- I just get it after enough practice.

I'm wondering, have any of you ever felt the same way? It's kind of hard to get into other people's heads to see how they think, but I'm hoping you all might lead me to some insight in terms of how the stuttering brain, whether or not that person has overcome those challenges, works.

Thanks!

That's a real interesting theory...... I'm not a controlled stutterer yet.... so I can't really speak from that standpoint, but the idea that you proposed makes me wonder if controlled stutterers still use the right side of the brain more the non stutterers?

[Violet]

thats really interesting. i'm probably more right brained then left seeing as i really enjoy doing art things.. but then im pretty good at maths also, only i prefer like algebra stuff rather than numerical things. and algebra is more moving and twisting things around so wouldnt that be more right brained then left? haha i dunno.
but its a good theory. i can almost control my stutter, like in the right situations and when im focused and awake its barly an issue cause i can cover it well. :p

[Woody]

This is sort of related. I read an article about Sleep Apnia. It seems that
in a study of 40 people with sleep apnia ~40% of them reported stuttering
as children. I kind of wonder what the frequency of sleep apnia is in us adults
who stutter?

[Asif]

Here's what might sound like a very wierd point of view...
Did anyone ever see The Last Samurai???
A child gives some advice to Tom Cruise because he can't get his swordplay right. He says:
"No mind!"
What that actually means is:
"No brain".
Not left, not right, but NO BRAIN AT ALL.
It's all about calmness and trust in the natural wisdom of the body to do what it needs to do.
Very hard for a modern westerner.
Keep exploring :)