New stuttering support group to meet Saturday

EPHRATA - A support group for children and adults who suffer from stuttering will have its first meeting at noon Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, 117 C St. NW in Ephrata.

The support group is being organized by Kelly Kilborn Sample, of Ephrata, a speech pathologist with experience treating the condition.

Speech seems easy, but it's actually a complex interaction between the body and the brain, where everything has to work together to make it happen. "Somewhere in that coordination, it's off for people who stutter," Sample said.

There are effective therapies for stuttering, she said, and people also learn how to adapt. About 90 percent of people who have the condition can adjust for it by the time they reach adulthood, she said. But for those who can't "it affects everything," Sample said. It will influence jobs, who people marry and social lives, she said.

A child diagnosed with a stuttering disorder might be attending a support group as an adult, and that's the only speech disorder where that's true, she said.

Yet there are people who stutter when they talk who can sing or recite poetry without any problems, she said. "There's still a mystery about it."

Research indicates there is no connection between stuttering and emotional disorders or intellect. "When someone stutters, it's common for people to think that the person is not smart or is really nervous. Studies do not support either of those," she said.

"The takeaway should be, if you hear someone stuttering, just give them a few more seconds. Simply listen for a few more seconds."

There are stuttering support groups nationally and two in Western Washington, but none in Eastern Washington, Sample said. The support group will have information about the disorder, and how to connect with resources and others with the disorder locally, she said. "Having people know they're not alone is key," she said.

The first meeting will include a barbecue along with the information, she said.

People who want more information or who want to join the support group can contact Sample at 541-513-7238, call or text, or email her at kellykilbornsample@gmail.com. There is a national support group; its website is westutter.org.