My boyfriend of almost 2 years was diagnosed with stuttering when he was a child-he is now almost 30. Stuttering is something he still struggles with. He has displayed behavior that has led me to believe he may also be ADHD. After doing some reading, I'm wondering if his stuttering is in actuality a result of ADHD. I don't know how to approach the issue without offending him, hurting him, or making him reject the idea altogether. Any suggestions on how to approach the topic of seeking professional advice in a non-threatening way?
Q: Any suggestions on how to suggest some-one seek professional advice in a non-threatening way?
Answers (1)
6/14/10 3:34pm
Hi Mary Anne
This is a bit of a tricky situation because you really don't know if he has ADHD or not but in order to know...he has to see someone.
Let me give you some information first and then I will try to think of a suggestion of how to broach this topic with him.
Here is a good Medical News Today article about ADHD and stuttering. You are right...there seems to be a link for children with ADHD and stuttering.
And here is The Stuttering Foundation website to look at as well.
The thing is...you know your boyfriend best. Do you feel he would be offended if you said anything? Does he not like it if you were to bring up his stuttering? Could you say..."Hey...I saw this science article and it linked ADHD with stuttering....what do you think of that?" or print out the article and leave it where he can find it.
I guess the main thing is to be upbeat and positive...as in...maybe this link could provide a solution...not as...there is something wrong with you.
Please let us know if you need more information. And also let us know how the conversation goes.
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By Mary Anne Smith— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 06/14/10
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My own suspicion of my own husbands behaviour began with much research, reading as much as I could. Then one day I asked him if he maybe thought he himself had a little habit of repeating himself, or making the same funny sound over and over when he felt stressed; or did he notice? We chatted, he had a little bit of a 'well, maybe' answer. Did not go further until another time something similar happened, and I did suggest maybe a TV show I saw on Dr. Phil about the 'something' was really interesting.......and it all progressed from there. He knows now he has ADHD, as I went with him to be evaluated by a professional in the field, and he is learning - kinda when he wants to. The most important thing he needs to hear from me is, " remember the big 3 C's.....you did not Cause it, you cannot always Control it, but you can always Cope with it." That phrase sustains him. ( I believe this is genetic, and if ignored throughout his entire life.....an ADHD person may become a homeless person.) It is very difficult to live with, however the sooner a person gets understanding and tries to help themselves, the better off they will be with time. He is 62 yrs old now and I wish to God he had been helped when he was a child. He wasn't.