Ten-year-old Harriet Huewitt has overcome an enormous challenge in her life with stuttering. Public speaking was once intimidating for her, but she has fought through the fear. Years of work and encouragement later, Harriet has largely defeated her stutter. This accomplishment represents an important step forward for her in a young life full of challenges. With her family’s history of stuttering going back four generations, her progress is deeply significant.
Recent groundbreaking research by Associate Professor Janet Beilby could change that for children like Harriet. This work tackles the challenges they face and provides a new hope. All of this progress stems from a groundbreaking study that found genetic links to stuttering. For one, it would inform earlier interventions and more personalized support for families. This study required DNA samples from 1,380 people across Western Australia. It drew on the world’s largest talent pool, with one million global participants, showing that stuttering is inherited and getting to the root causes.
The Personal Impact of Stuttering
For Harriet, the road toward conquering her stutter has been difficult yet fulfilling. She recalls her struggles, stating, “I couldn’t really say sentences that I wanted.” Now, she’s in a position to make sure no other children have to go through what she did. Harriet expresses her delight in being a part of this research, emphasizing, “I feel very happy and excited that I can help other kids and families that have stutters.”
Her mother, Simone Hewitt, gets carried along in Harriet’s enthusiasm, thinking of the positive impact such a law would have on future generations. “For my family I think it’s very exciting,” she says. “I think about what it could do for my grandchildren because obviously we have a strong link with stuttering and communication.” While that’s an amazing sentiment, it speaks to a deep desire. The lessons learned from this research will benefit existing families and will keep future generations from having to overcome these same challenges.
The Science Behind Stuttering
The largest genetic study in the world has pinpointed 48 genes directly associated with stuttering. This major breakthrough expands our knowledge of the underlying causes of this complicated disorder. Associate Professor Beilby explains, “Based on what we’ve found in this research, we will be able to take a DNA sample and predict if the individual is likely to stutter or not.” This progress might allow for more timely interventions that can reduce the effects of stuttering on children’s development.
Beyond skills of speech, the research deepens our understanding of the societal implications of stigma against stuttering. In fact, children who have a speech or language disorder are more likely to be bullied in school. Adults encounter pressures from work and society that contribute to mental illness and the disintegration of social cohesion. Beilby emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues: “Most children with a speech or language disorder will be bullied at school and adults who stutter may face challenges in the workplace.”
Looking Toward the Future
Harriet’s story and this important research bring a new ray of hope for families struggling with stuttering. Simone Hewitt expresses her optimism about the future: “I think it would be absolutely amazing to know my grandchildren as infants can be tested and go right, we can start now.” Stuttering has hereditary components, which families will be better equipped to address thanks to this proactive and preventive approach.
Yet as the research continues, it is becoming apparent just how large and widespread its implications are—impacting everyone beyond one’s own lived experience. For families such as Harriet’s, this longitudinal study is a very important inflection point. It allows them to understand and address a disease that has affected their lives for decades.
