The stuttering awareness week is coming to a close in a few days so we caught up with the president of the stuttering foundation Jane Fraser.

Fraser graciously answered a few questions for Discover Estevan about stuttering such as what are the causes of stuttering and how should you approach someone with a stutter.

"Some 60 to 80 percent of people who stutter have it run in the family, my father stuttered, my uncle stuttered, so genetics play an important role in stuttering. We also know its a neurophysiological problem and that means people that stutter handle language and speech slightly differently from other people."

Fraser says she hopes that the therapy available for young people today in schools in Canada and the United States helps people target stuttering early on so those who are afflicted can be more open about it and help those who may be shy or embarrassed about getting it treated. 

"A lot of people are very embarrassed when they realize the person talking to them stutters. Its important to remember not to give them advice, people don't want advice on how to talk or be told slow down take a deep breath, if it had been that simple they would have done it years ago so best not to give advice, and I think you know you really wanna try to focus on the message. What are they saying to you and be sure to look them the eye, don't look down, don't look embarrassed because that sends them a message that there doing something to be embarrassed about." 

Fraser adds that even if someone has a severe stutter, do your best to let them know that your listening and that you are there for them.

For more information on stuttering check out Stutteringhelp.org where you can find some free books, free videotapes and a referral list of therapists from around the world.