6 Tips For Speaking With Someone Who Stutters

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Stuttering may look like an easy problem that can be solved with?ÿsome simple advice, but for many adults, it can be a chronic life-long disorder. Here are some ways that you, the listener, can help.

1. Donƒ??t make remarks like: ƒ??Slow down,ƒ?? ƒ??Take a breath,ƒ?? or ƒ??Relax.ƒ???ÿSuch simplistic advice can be felt as demeaning and is not helpful.

2. Let the person know by your manner that you are listening to what he?ÿor she says ƒ?? not how they say it.

3. Maintain natural eye contact and wait patiently and naturally?ÿuntil the person is finished.

4. You may be tempted to finish sentences or fill in words. Try not?ÿto. Use a relatively relaxed rate in your own speech ƒ?? but not so?ÿslow as to sound unnatural. This promotes good communication.

5. Be aware that those who stutter usually have more trouble?ÿcontrolling their speech on the telephone. Please be patient in this?ÿsituation. If you pick up the phone and hear nothing, be sure it is?ÿnot a person who stutters trying to start the conversation before you?ÿhang up.

6. Speak in an unhurried way ƒ?? but not so slowly as to sound?ÿunnatural. This promotes good communication with everyone.