is probably more often called, Imitation. Mimicry or Imitation is
almost wholly confined to children. After reaching the age of
discretion, the adult is usually of sufficient intelligence to
refrain from mimicking or imitating a person who stutters or
stammers.

The average small boy, however, (or girl, for that matter) seems
to find delight in mocking and imitating a playmate who stutters
or stammers, and so keen is this delight that he persists in this
practice day after day until (as its own punishment) the practice
of mockery or mimicry brings upon the boy himself the affliction
in which he found his fun.

It may be noted, however, that Imitation is not always conscious,
but often unconscious. The small child begins to imitate the
stuttering companion without knowing that he engages in imitation.
This practice, notwithstanding the fact that it is unconscious,
soon develops into stuttering, without any cause being assignable
by the parent until investigation develops that unconscious and
even unnoticed imitation is the basic cause of the defective
utterance.

It has been definitely determined that stuttering may be
communicable through contagious impressions, especially among
children of tender age whose minds are subject to the slightest
impressions.

For this reason, it is not advisable for parents to allow children
to play with others who stutter or stammer, nor is it charitable
to allow a child who stutters or stammers to play with other