Genetics is thought to play a great role and getting assistance from a speech and language pathologist is primordial.

It is a multidimensional and manageable composite of behaviours, thoughts, feelings and successful interventions taking into account not only the individual who suffers, but virtually all members within the individual’s communication system. Stuttering, the art of speaking with difficulty, repeating sounds or words and often stopping before saying things correctly, is a growing phenomenon on the African continent and Cameroon is living the reality.

Getting assistance from a speech and language pathologist as well as making adjustments in the manner of speaking, experts say, could be a panacea to children and adults who suffer from stuttering. But getting a pathologist, sufferers say, remains the greatest challenge as most African countries including Cameroon, have no training programmes for speech-language pathology as well as no speech therapists.

The International Stuttering Awareness Day was observed on October 22, but 40-year old Raymond Ngalla, stammerer, was shocked to know such a day exists. Notwithstanding, he said if his speech has improved with time, it is thanks to online communication with associations of stutters. “If I did not outgrow stammering during my pre-school era, it is because my parents and people around me were ignorant of the steps to take to change it in children when it begins,” he said, while adding that avoiding teasing and bulling sufferers helps.

It is however serious and disturbing in school children who tend to suffer prejudices from mates and friends. But as a college teacher and stutter in Douala, Berinyuy, in a presentation recounts a good therapy at school age can only come from teachers. “Teachers should play a proactive role, know that their pupils are stammerers, bring them closer, know their problems and understand what they are capable of doing.” The writer cautions teachers to act as parents and to be always available for stutters in order to build another comfortable home for them. This is to get sufferers from psychological and emotional trauma inflicted by mates.

Teachers are advised to first examine feelings towards stuttering pupils/students and ensure that they are considerate and positive advice is given to them. They are expected to understand the variation of the child’s stuttering and know when to involve them in oral work. If the child is teased or bullied, the teacher has to talk to the child, comfort him and make him be of good cheer. By applying this therapy and getting assistance from a speech and language pathologist as stutters grow, strides, it is believed, will be made, and stutters might soon see themselves, speaking without major difficulties.