The Stuttering Association for the Young is an organization that empowers and supports young people with speech impediments. Among their many services, they host summer camps and offer speech therapy. Most importantly, they provide creative outlets for children to develop confidence and tools to express themselves.

We can personally attest that SAY’s team of staff and kids are THE BEST EVER. We were lucky to attend the organizations’s annual Paul Rudd Bowling Benefit this past January. Definitely check out the sweet moments from the event, unless you hate Paul Rudd, fun, or music. (Seriously, you need to see “Hamilton: The Musical” star Brandon Victor Dixon sing Rihanna’s “Stay.”)

SAY’s team of influencers does great work spreading awareness about stuttering, we must offer our shine to them! Before you decide to become more involved in supporting kids who stutter, check out five things everyone should know about stuttering.

Stuttering doesn’t sound or look the same. 

It looks different from person to person, but there are three major symptoms with regards to speech: sound repetitions, silent blocks, and sound prolongations. Secondary characteristics like rapid blinking and leg shakes are also common in concurrence with the stuttering.

People who stutter feel all different kinds of ways about it. 

Stuttering affects 70 million people in all kinds of ways that can change during their life. Some folks may not care that they have a stutter, while others may feel embarrassed by it, which can obviously impact their self-esteem and interactions with people. Sometimes, it can interfere with their quality of life because of how strangers and loved ones treat them. In these situations, a person may try to hide their stuttering and not speak as a result, or avoid placing themselves in situations where stuttering would reveal itself.

Stuttering is no one’s fault. 

There’s a range of internal and external circumstances that contribute to stuttering. Genetics are thought to be an influence, although there is not enough research to pinpoint which genes are responsible. Emotions, temperament and environment almost certainly play a role, but there’s no one way to pinpoint a direct link with stuttering.

Stuttering cannot be “cured.”

Stuttering is not an illness or disease that requires medicinal treatment. It can be alleviated and even reduced with speech therapy and support groups like SAY that provide support and resources.

Anyone can help people who stutter. 

The most direct way to help is to support SAY with a donation, sponsorship, or volunteering at an After-School Program or special events in the New York tristate area. The easiest way to help a person who stutters is simply to give them as much time as they need to speak. The only difference between a person who stutters and a person who doesn’t is that the person who stutters needs a little extra time to talk.

Want to do even more to help kids with speech impediments? ThatHelps’ shares opportunities nationwide to support the incredible work of SAY and their kids. Download our app to say Thanks, stay up to date on ways to help, and discover more great causes that support children.

Photo: SAY, Facebook.com/sayorg