1/7 Hi. Quick thread about fluency disorder, what it means, and how you should respond to it.

I say "um" a lot when I speak. I know it bothers some people. Sometimes those people feel inclined to post comments in my videos about it. Don't.

To the folks making those comments:...

2/7 you probably don't realize this, but there is this thing called "fluency disorder," which causes some people to stutter (repeat syllables) or clutter (speak too fast, irregularly, or add dysfluencies like "um" to the middle of sentences, as I often do)...

3/7 Most (not all) people who have a fluency disorder are well aware of or even embarrassed by it, and actively work towards speaking more fluidly.

For me, this was especially difficult when I started speaking in public and making videos. Through practice I've gotten somewhat...

4/7 better. I still occasionally slide into full on um'ing during every sentence. I'm not perfect at speaking fluidly, but I don't need someone pointing out or mocking something that I'm actively trying to improve.

I know it probably doesn't seem like a big deal to you,...

5/7 the person pointing it out, and it may even annoy you to listen to it. But when you point it out, it can make them feel like they are fighting a losing battle.

Fluency disorders can be exacerbated by stress...

6/7 or anxiety, so if the vocal patterns of someone with a disorder bugs you, pointing it out to them is probably the worst thing you can do even if just for your own sake, because it's likely to make it worse.

Just something to think about next time you hear someone...

7/7 speaking with a stutter, a clutter, or with dysfluencies.

If you've got a friend or family member who stutters or clutters, don't mock them or point out how much they do it. If you're close with them, talk about it, but talk about it in a respectful way.

Cool? Cool. Thanks.

Further reading: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/fluency-disorder

https://www.stutteringhelp.org/cluttering 

https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/stuttering-versus-cluttering-whats-the-difference/full/

BTW: Do you a) get told you speak too fast? b) have more thoughts in your brain than your mouth can get out? c) speak better when interrupted? d) restart sentences half way through in a new way? e) speak in short bursts or fill time with uhs or ums?

Welcome to the clutter club!