Spring Break
Club hopes to give voice, support to the speech impaired
Samie Hartley
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Jeff Olevson, a graduate student studying meteorology, stutters when he talks.
Stuttering is a disruption in the normal flow of speech, said Jean Jackson, a communicative disorders instructor at San Jose State University. Stuttering occurs when a person repeats a word, or part of a word, when speaking or a person who stutters may experience a "block" when talking and no words come out when he or she tries to speak.
"Everyone stutters occasionally, but some stutter more than others," Jackson said.
While a speech impediment such as stuttering might be an embarrassment for some, Olevson, who does not think his stuttering gets in the way of his normal routine, tries to help fellow stutterers find confidence in their speaking abilities by serving as leader of San Jose's chapter of the National Stuttering Association, a support group for people who stutter.
"I really love being a part of this group," Olevson said. "I love helping people. I've always liked helping people."
Olevson is just one of several San Jose State University students who attend regular meetings at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara on the second Wednesday of every month.
Olevson attended his first meeting when he was a freshman at SJSU when his university-appointed speech therapist took him five years ago.
"I really liked it," Olevson said. "I was really quiet during my first meeting because I didn't know what to expect, but it was really cool, and it was the first time in my life where I met other people who stuttered, and that - for me - was big."
Jackson, an instructor at SJSU, said organizations like the National Stuttering Association help people who need extra support outside of speech therapy, a form of treating stuttering. She said the cause of stuttering is unknown, but it is currently believed that stuttering is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
She said stuttering is not something that can be cured. While stuttering begins at an early age, some children grow out of it while others do not. She said no one knows why this happens.
Jackson said that since people who stutter are sometimes judged unfairly, it is good for people to seek support.
Olevson said attending the meetings helped him gain confidence in his speaking abilities after struggling with his speech for years.
"When I was younger, I thought, 'Oh no. Will I ever get married? Will I be successful?'" Olevson said. "I always thought 'What am I going to do at my wedding when I have to say 'I do' in front of all these people?' But being a part of this organization has changed my life."
He said kids in elementary school used to call him Porky Pig when he'd stutter, but he didn't let it get to him.
"I try to have a positive outlook," Olevson said. "I'm optimistic. I don't think of stuttering as a hindrance."
He said while speech therapy helped him improve his speech, being a member of the organization has done "wonders" for him.
"We're all about support and that's really big," Olevson said. "Some people in the organization say being a part of this group is the best therapy they've had."
Roger Lo, a graduate student studying materials engineering, said attending National Stuttering Association meetings has helped him improve his speech by giving him an opportunity to practice talking in front of a group.
"By speaking up in a group, I can overcome my fear of stuttering in front of an audience," Lo said. "Everyone is very pleasant and patient listening to the speaker, and no one will show a weird face while someone is stuttering.
"Having NSA in my life is awesome. I can build up my confidence, and it gives me a chance to practice techniques to reduce my stutter."
Lo, who has been attending meetings since last fall, said he enjoys attending because it gives him the opportunity to interact with other people who stutter. He said it makes him realize that he is not alone.
Andres Mendez, a senior majoring in radio, television and film, said meetings are a great place to get support and practice speaking, which makes giving class presentations a little easier.
"The fact that I stutter has been somewhat difficult in my school years especially when I get to speak to the class," Mendez said. "After a few semesters of speech therapy, it's a little easier for me to talk to people, but I just do what I can.
"I'm sure that addressing the class or a crowd makes a lot of people nervous and anxious, but for me, personally, and for anybody that stutters, it's usually worse. I've had the fortune to have had great teachers and professors as well as good classmates who understand my situation, and that helps when I have to speak."
Olevson, the chapter leader, said it is important for people who stutter to practice speaking.
At chapter meetings, members take turns introducing themselves, which he said is difficult for people who stutter, and they also have a speaking activity where they discuss an issue about stuttering.
Olevson said he encourages members to practice their speech outside of class.
For instance, he said one member makes daily phone calls to different local businesses to inquire about a sale or an insurance policy simply to practice having conversations. Another member goes to the mall to make small talk with people. Olevson said he tries to chat with people at the bank or the grocery store.
He said being a part of the National Stuttering Association has helped give him a lot of self-confidence via the support provided by the group.
"When I joined the group, I realized stuttering doesn't define me," Olevson said. "It's a characteristic of me, but it by no means defines me. I am defined by what I do and what I strive to be."
Olevson said he knows there are people at SJSU who stutter and are probably too shy to talk to people about it. He encourages these people to go to a meeting to seek support and receive encouragement from others who stutter and are going through the same types of situations.
"With support, confidence will grow," Olevson said. "Take little steps - baby steps. For example, you can ask where the Science Building is even if you know where it is located. Just practice your speech."
INFO BOX
What: National Stuttering Association - San Jose chapter meetings
When: Second Wednesday of every month; 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Santa Clara Kaiser Hospital, 900 Kiely Blvd., Building K.
For more information, visit www.nsastutter.org
Getting help on campus:
Visit Communicative Disorders Office at room 115 in Sweeney Hall or call 408-924-3688.
Stuttering is a disruption in the normal flow of speech, said Jean Jackson, a communicative disorders instructor at San Jose State University. Stuttering occurs when a person repeats a word, or part of a word, when speaking or a person who stutters may experience a "block" when talking and no words come out when he or she tries to speak.
"Everyone stutters occasionally, but some stutter more than others," Jackson said.
While a speech impediment such as stuttering might be an embarrassment for some, Olevson, who does not think his stuttering gets in the way of his normal routine, tries to help fellow stutterers find confidence in their speaking abilities by serving as leader of San Jose's chapter of the National Stuttering Association, a support group for people who stutter.
"I really love being a part of this group," Olevson said. "I love helping people. I've always liked helping people."
Olevson is just one of several San Jose State University students who attend regular meetings at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara on the second Wednesday of every month.
Olevson attended his first meeting when he was a freshman at SJSU when his university-appointed speech therapist took him five years ago.
"I really liked it," Olevson said. "I was really quiet during my first meeting because I didn't know what to expect, but it was really cool, and it was the first time in my life where I met other people who stuttered, and that - for me - was big."
Jackson, an instructor at SJSU, said organizations like the National Stuttering Association help people who need extra support outside of speech therapy, a form of treating stuttering. She said the cause of stuttering is unknown, but it is currently believed that stuttering is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
She said stuttering is not something that can be cured. While stuttering begins at an early age, some children grow out of it while others do not. She said no one knows why this happens.
Jackson said that since people who stutter are sometimes judged unfairly, it is good for people to seek support.
Olevson said attending the meetings helped him gain confidence in his speaking abilities after struggling with his speech for years.
"When I was younger, I thought, 'Oh no. Will I ever get married? Will I be successful?'" Olevson said. "I always thought 'What am I going to do at my wedding when I have to say 'I do' in front of all these people?' But being a part of this organization has changed my life."
He said kids in elementary school used to call him Porky Pig when he'd stutter, but he didn't let it get to him.
"I try to have a positive outlook," Olevson said. "I'm optimistic. I don't think of stuttering as a hindrance."
He said while speech therapy helped him improve his speech, being a member of the organization has done "wonders" for him.
"We're all about support and that's really big," Olevson said. "Some people in the organization say being a part of this group is the best therapy they've had."
Roger Lo, a graduate student studying materials engineering, said attending National Stuttering Association meetings has helped him improve his speech by giving him an opportunity to practice talking in front of a group.
"By speaking up in a group, I can overcome my fear of stuttering in front of an audience," Lo said. "Everyone is very pleasant and patient listening to the speaker, and no one will show a weird face while someone is stuttering.
"Having NSA in my life is awesome. I can build up my confidence, and it gives me a chance to practice techniques to reduce my stutter."
Lo, who has been attending meetings since last fall, said he enjoys attending because it gives him the opportunity to interact with other people who stutter. He said it makes him realize that he is not alone.
Andres Mendez, a senior majoring in radio, television and film, said meetings are a great place to get support and practice speaking, which makes giving class presentations a little easier.
"The fact that I stutter has been somewhat difficult in my school years especially when I get to speak to the class," Mendez said. "After a few semesters of speech therapy, it's a little easier for me to talk to people, but I just do what I can.
"I'm sure that addressing the class or a crowd makes a lot of people nervous and anxious, but for me, personally, and for anybody that stutters, it's usually worse. I've had the fortune to have had great teachers and professors as well as good classmates who understand my situation, and that helps when I have to speak."
Olevson, the chapter leader, said it is important for people who stutter to practice speaking.
At chapter meetings, members take turns introducing themselves, which he said is difficult for people who stutter, and they also have a speaking activity where they discuss an issue about stuttering.
Olevson said he encourages members to practice their speech outside of class.
For instance, he said one member makes daily phone calls to different local businesses to inquire about a sale or an insurance policy simply to practice having conversations. Another member goes to the mall to make small talk with people. Olevson said he tries to chat with people at the bank or the grocery store.
He said being a part of the National Stuttering Association has helped give him a lot of self-confidence via the support provided by the group.
"When I joined the group, I realized stuttering doesn't define me," Olevson said. "It's a characteristic of me, but it by no means defines me. I am defined by what I do and what I strive to be."
Olevson said he knows there are people at SJSU who stutter and are probably too shy to talk to people about it. He encourages these people to go to a meeting to seek support and receive encouragement from others who stutter and are going through the same types of situations.
"With support, confidence will grow," Olevson said. "Take little steps - baby steps. For example, you can ask where the Science Building is even if you know where it is located. Just practice your speech."
INFO BOX
What: National Stuttering Association - San Jose chapter meetings
When: Second Wednesday of every month; 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Santa Clara Kaiser Hospital, 900 Kiely Blvd., Building K.
For more information, visit www.nsastutter.org
Getting help on campus:
Visit Communicative Disorders Office at room 115 in Sweeney Hall or call 408-924-3688.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Bud Bultman
posted 4/26/07 @ 3:00 PM PST
You should also tell people about The Stuttering Foundation and the wealth of information, online streaming videos, referrals to speech therapists who specialize in treating stuttering, brochures on many topics, as well as libraries that shelve their books. (Continued…)
betty becker
posted 5/02/07 @ 11:58 AM PST
Congratulations to Jeff Olevson on the terrific article about stuttering and the NSA. As a person who stutters and has been a long time member of the NSA, I was so pleased to see more information on this speech disorder getting out to the public. (Continued…)
Russ Hicks
posted 5/07/07 @ 1:40 PM PST
Excellent article about my friend Jeff Olevson! Unlike many articles about stuttering, your reporter hit the nail squarely on the head. Congratulations to Samie Hartley on a first class - and very accurate - article!
Jeff is a new chapter leader of the San Jose Chapter of the National Stuttering Association, the NSA. (Continued…)
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