22 October: what is celebrated today

International Stuttering Day: giving voice to silence

Every 22 October, the world raises its voice for those who face stuttering, also known as speech disfluency. This condition, which affects fluency when speaking, does not define the intelligence or worth of the person who has it, although it often becomes a cause of misunderstanding or mockery.

Stuttering — also called spasmophemia or dysphemia — is characterised by involuntary interruptions in speech accompanied by muscle tension, anxiety or fear. Its origin has not been fully determined, but studies indicate that it is 80% hereditary and 20% neurological in cause.

It usually appears between the ages of two and four, a stage in which children are still learning to express themselves verbally, which means that it can sometimes be confused with normal language development. According to statistics, one in every twenty children experiences stuttering at some point, although most overcome the disorder by adolescence.

Beyond the clinical aspect, stuttering involves an emotional challenge. People who have it often have to face prejudice and stigma, which can affect their self-esteem and social participation. This day seeks to break the silence, promote empathy and create spaces where every voice — regardless of its rhythm — has the same value.

International Oscillation Day: the invisible rhythm of the universe

22 October is also International Oscillation Day, a date intended to bring physics closer to everyday life by showing us that the world is full of oscillatory movements: from the swing of a pendulum to the vibrations of an atom or the waves that carry our digital communications.

Oscillation is a physical phenomenon that describes the repetitive movement of a body between two positions, varying its speed regularly. It is present in the swinging of clocks, in sound waves, in heartbeats and even in the cycle of tides.

This day seeks to encourage understanding of how these movements directly or indirectly influence our lives. In fact, many modern technologies — such as mobile phones or computers — work thanks to principles of electromagnetic oscillation. But it also reminds us of the challenges: prolonged exposure to certain types of radiation can have negative health effects, such as sleep disturbance or neurological problems.

Oscillation is, ultimately, the heartbeat of the physical world, an invisible dance that connects science with human experience.

International Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Day: bringing visibility to the rare

22 October also marks International Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Day, a date dedicated to raising awareness of this rare genetic disease that affects cognitive, psychomotor and language development.

This condition is caused by the loss of genetic material on chromosome 22q13, which alters the functioning of the SHANK3 gene, essential for communication between neurons. People with this syndrome usually have delayed speech, hypotonia (low muscle tone) and traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a high percentage of cases.

Although it is estimated that there are around 4,000 cases in Spain, only 160 patients have been officially diagnosed, which highlights the urgent need for more research and access to genetic testing.

The objective of this day is clear: to make the invisible visible, support affected families and promote the science that enables a better understanding of this disease. Every early diagnosis represents an opportunity to offer a better quality of life and, above all, hope.

A day to understand, listen and learn

22 October is an invitation to observe the world from different perspectives: that of language seeking to flow, that of science explaining movement and that of genetics revealing the mysteries of life.

Each of these observances teaches us that communicating, understanding and empathising are ways of moving towards a more conscious, more supportive and, ultimately, more humane society.