Stammering and a possible genetic link

As someone who grew up reading The Examiner during my youth, I would like to comment on your recent natural health advice column (Feelgood, Feb 1).

First, I want to say that while many opinions exist on the treatment of stammering in children, all would agree early intervention with a speech therapist is a must to increase the chances of a child being among the 75% of those who stop stammering.

Second, for decades much evidence has pointed towards genetic and neurological factors as the causes of stammering. In 2010 scientists for the first time identified ‘stammering genes’ that account for 9% of the cases. It is highly likely more stammering genes will be identified in the near future. The most overt example of the genetics of stammering I have ever read was a biographical article on author Lewis Carroll on the website of The Stuttering Foundation.