Here's a shocking opinion for you....
...The vast majority of so-called 'sufferers of speech impediments' are not caused by physical defect, but are instead psychological disorders or the result of childhood adoptive-affectations that went uncorrected. Furthermore, a significant percentage (more than 11%) of all speech-impediments are affectations adopted in adult life for social reasons (failed attempt at mimicking accent, desire to be accepted by social peers etc.) This percentage has been growing since around 1980, which explains why you hear many more 'speech impediments' these days than you did when you were a child.

In other words, there's a high chance that anyone you meet with a speech impediment (especially, it appears, if they are working in childrens television, or on Radio 4 in any capacity) are probably 'making it up' just to win your sympathy.

Treat them accordingly!

(Caveat: Statistics may appear closer in the mirror than they actually are).

.
(EffinDoubt is breaking glass on, Mon 15 Dec 2008, 8:58, Reply)