Stammering is also known as stuttering. Stammering is a different way of talking. It is when words and/or sounds are repeated or stretched and sometimes difficult to get out altogether. It’s when the flow of speech is interrupted and it’s difficult for you to say what you want to say.
What do we know about stammering?
Stammering is not uncommon. It is more common in children than teenagers or adults. However, for about 20% of those who stammer as a child, their stammer will continue be present when speaking throughout their adult life.
There is no cure for stammering because it is neurological which means there is a difference in the brains of people who stammer compared to the brains of people who do not stammer. Stammering is not caused by nervousness, lack of confidence or lack of intelligence. This way of talking is not wrong or bad- it’s just different. It is ok to stammer. Everyone is different in their own unique way.
You can be a great communicator and stammer.
Stammering is variable. This means some days you will stammer more than others. Sometimes an increase in stammering can be linked to tiredness, stress, illness and sometimes there is no reason to explain it. It’s normal to stammer more on some days so be kind to yourself. Instead of saying “I’m having a bad/good day” – say “I’m stammering more/less today”.
Thoughts and feelings about stammering
You may feel ok about your stammer but are aware that others (your parents or teachers) may worry about your talking.
Stammering can sometimes be viewed negatively by people. It is often because they don’t know much about it or understand stammering. People’s reactions such as finishing your words, laughing or looking away can affect how you feel about your talking. It may make you feel like you want to hide it from others.
Some young people develop a range of different thoughts and feelings about their talking due to their experiences and people’s reactions. Some people say they can feel angry, sad, embarrassed or anxious about their stammering. These feelings can lead you to hide your stammer and avoid speaking situations. Having a stammer can sometimes be hard.
When should I ask for help?
You can ask for advice and support for your stammer at any time and whenever feels right for you.
It may be that talking to your parents or teachers is enough support or you may want to see a Speech & Language Therapist if your stammer is impacting on your day to day life.
What does therapy involve?
Therapy is suited to your needs. The therapist will discuss with you what you are hoping to gain from attending therapy. Therapy can help to support and enable you to communicate to your potential and say what you want to say, when you want to say it, without fear or struggle. It can help you feel more comfortable and safe to stammer and develop your knowledge and confidence in knowing how to help yourself. This will help you communicate with more comfort and confidence and reduce the impact of stammering.
What can I do to help myself?
It’s important to know that it is ok to stammer. Your talking is acceptable and valuable.
Learn about stammering and meet other people who stammer. You can get a lot of support and advice from others who understand your experiences. Find out about other people who stammer. There are many successful people who stammer. Look online, there are links below that you might find helpful.
Try practising mindfulness techniques to help you relax if you find you are anxious or tense about speaking. You can find more information and advice on the Help with How I'm Feeling page from Young Minds.
Talk to your friends and family about your stammer- let them know what they could do to help you feel more at ease when talking.
Stammering Pride
There is a current change within the stammering community that challenges why a person needs to be fluent and why a stammer needs fixing.
This view shows how people’s negative views and barriers that are in place are the problem rather than the stammer. Therefore, it is society that needs changing rather than the person who stammers. This view helps us to consider that stammering is a difference in talking and not everyone needs to speak in the same way. The stammering pride movement encourages people who stammer to take pride in the way they speak.
You are the expert in your own stammer. There will be some things that make it easier and more comfortable for you to speak. It’s really important to tell people what helps you and what makes things difficult. At school and home, encourage your parents/carers and teachers to support you. Letting your friends know that you have a stammer and talking about it with them might also help you feel better about it. If other people know about it they are more likely to be supportive and encourage you to be confident and their responses are more likely to be positive. This will also make talking easier for you whilst you are stammering.
How do I find out more about stammering?
Websites and videos about stammering
STAMMA (look at the “Your Voice” section for people talking about their experiences of stammering). There is also advice for parents, schools, children and teenagers.
Action for Stammering Children (look at the “stammbassadors” page for examples of people who stammer talking about their jobs and how stammering has affected them)
Me and my stammer (feat Ed Balls) | #ISAD2022 YouTube video
My Stammering Tap - Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
My Stammering Child - Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
Wait, wait, I'm not finished yet.. - Michael Palin Centre
Information for Parents / Carers
When a child starts to stammer, it is natural to want the stammer to stop. For some children, stammering goes away on its own before they start school. For others, stammering continues. This is okay. It is simply one difference in how people talk. Some children try to hide their stammer because of how others react. This can make things harder over time. What matters most is that your child feels confident and comfortable communicating.
Let your child know that:
It is okay to stammer
You accept how they talk
Their words matter
How you can help
Listen carefully to what your child says, not how they say it. Give them time to finish. Do not interrupt or finish their words. Just wait.
Slow down your own talking if needed. This shows your child how to take a calmer pace. Using pauses gives them more time to join in.
Try not to give instructions about speech, such as: “Slow down”, “Take a breath”, or “Start again”. This can make your child feel their talking is not okay.
Stay calm and relaxed when your child stammers. Your body language and facial expression can help them feel safe and at ease.
Praise your child often, including for talking. For example: “I really like talking with you.” “That was a great story.” This helps your child feel valued, whether they stammer or not.
Be careful with the words you use when talking about stammering. It can help to say “more” or “less” stammering instead of “better” or “worse”.
Talk openly if your child feels upset or frustrated. You might say: “That word was tricky, but it’s okay. I’m listening.” Or: “It’s annoying when our words get stuck, isn’t it?”
If your child starts to avoid talking or gives up, talk about it together. Encourage them to keep trying and let them know you are there to listen.
If stammering is not a problem for you, it is less likely to become a problem for your child.
Look at the websites, videos and other resources for more information.
Information for Teachers
If a child in your class stammers, it is important that the classroom feels safe and supportive for talking. Some children and young people who stammer feel confident and may not want support from Speech and Language Therapy. Others may find stammering harder and feel worried about speaking. Both are valid.
It is important to:
Talk with the pupil
Listen to how they feel about their talking
Ask what helps them
Talking with the pupil
Different situations in school can place different demands on talking. Some may feel harder than others.
It can help to ask about:
Answering questions in class
Group work
Answering the register
Reading out loud
Giving presentations
Social times
Ordering lunch
Asking for help
Asking to go to the toilet
Sharing news
Support needs may change over time. It is helpful to check in regularly and share what works with all staff, especially at times of transition.
Showing acceptance of stammering helps the whole class learn that it is okay.
Supporting a pupil who stammers in school
Listen to what the pupil says. Give them time to finish without interrupting or finishing their words.
Model a calm talking pace. Slowing down yourself and using pauses can help reduce pressure.
Avoid telling the pupil how to speak, such as saying: “Slow down” or “Take a breath”. Taking part is a success, whether they stammer or not.
Stay calm and relaxed when the pupil stammers. Your reaction helps them feel safe.
Praise the pupil for their strengths, including talking. For example: “That was really interesting.”
Use neutral language when talking about stammering. “More” or “less” stammering is more supportive than “better” or “worse”.
Talk one to one if the pupil feels upset. Acknowledge the difficulty and offer reassurance, such as: “That was tricky, but I’m listening.”
If the pupil avoids speaking, talk about it together. Let them know it is okay to have easier and harder days. Regular check ins can help.
Deal with teasing as part of whole school work on bullying, rather than treating stammering as an individual problem.
Look at the websites, videos and other resources for more information.
Other resources
A TikToker called ge0rgia talks- is a girl who stammers raising awareness of stammering and documenting her journey.
Books such as “Stuttering is cool” by Daniel Rossi and “The boy who made everyone laugh” by Helen Rutter.
Stambassadors - Abed Ahmed YouTube Video - listen to a High school teacher talk about what he has done to develop his confidence and be less bothered by his stammer.
@juststutter – exploring life with a stutter through art. Have a look at some cartoons.
Proud Stutter - a multi-award winning podcast changing how we understand and talk about stuttering, one conversation at a time.
Author(s):
Speech and Language Therapists, Specialist Children's Services.
Reviewer name(s):
KIDS Content Group.
We are one of the leading paediatric care centres in the UK, and the largest in Scotland. We provide family centred care to newborns, infants, children and young people both in hospital and in the community.
KIDS for Families
Stammering is also known as stuttering. Stammering is a different way of talking. It is when words and/or sounds are repeated or stretched and sometimes difficult to get out altogether. It’s when the flow of speech is interrupted and it’s difficult for you to say what you want to say.
Listen carefully to what your child says, not how they say it. Give them time to finish. Do not interrupt or finish their words. Just wait.
