Facts about stuttering
Kids who
stutter are as smart as
other kids
Stuttering is not caused
by being a fearful person
Reactions of others may
make stuttering
worse
Teasing and bulling makes
everybody suffer
Many
famous people have or had stutter
What will help?
Tell your friend who stutters, “take a deep breath” or “ just relax”
You take a deep breath and relax while listening to your friend
What we know:
When you tell your friend “take a deep breath,” or “just relax” the stuttering usually becomes worse, and it makes him feel bad
If you look and feel relaxed while listening it will help your friend who stutter to speak freely and more fluently
What will help ?
Look away from the person who stutters during the conversation
Keep your usual eye contact while talking and listening
What we know:
Looking away from your friend shows that you are uncomfortable listening and/or not respectful (in most cultures)
Normal eye contact with your friend who stutters will release tension and show your respect (in most cultures)
What will help ?
Talking slowly with your friend who stutters and allowing pauses will help
Talking less often with your friend who have such difficulties to talk will help
What we know:
Slowing down your speech and allowing pauses will help the your friend who stutter to feel more comfortable speaking
Avoiding conversations with your friend who stutter may show that you are disinterested in him or her
What will help ?
While talking with your friend who stutters, wait for your turn as you normally do
Finish the words or sentences that your friend struggles to say
What we know:
Taking turns will help your friend who stutter speak easier and feel respected
Finishing words for your friend usually makes the stuttering even worse
What will help ?
Pretend that you don’t notice your friend is struggling to speak
Show that you are interested in content of what your friend who stutter is saying
What we know:
Pretending that your friend is not stuttering communicate that you are insincere
In stead, make your friend feel that its OK to stutter.
Stuttering
Lesson plan and PowerPoint to address stuttering in middle school classroomsReferences: Anderson, J. D., Pellowski, M. W., Conture, E. G., & Kelly, E. M. (2003). Temperamental characteristics of young children who stutter. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing
Research, 46(5), 1221-1233. Dworzynski, K., Remington, A., Rijsdijk, F., Howell, P., & Plomin, R. (2007). Genetic etiology in cases of recovered and persistent stuttering in an unselected, longitudinal sample of young twins.
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 16(2), 169-178. Flynn, T. W., & Louis, K. O. S. (2011). Changing adolescent attitudes toward stuttering. Journal of fluency disorders, 36(2), 110-121. Howell, P., Davis, S., & Williams, R. (2008). Late childhood stuttering. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 51(3), 669-687. Langevin, M., & Prasad, N. N. (2012). A stuttering education and bullying awareness and prevention
resource: A feasibility study. Language, speech, and hearing services in schools, 43(3), 344-358. Guntupalli, V. K., Kalinowski, J., Nanjundeswaran, C., Saltuklaroglu, T., & Everhart, D. E. (2006). Psychophysiological responses of adults who do not stutter while listening to stuttering.
International journal of psychophysiology, 62(1), 1-8. Iverach, L., & Rapee, R. M. (2014). Social anxiety disorder and stuttering: Current status and future
directions. Journal of fluency disorders, 40, 69-82. Related articles: Safran, J. S. (2002). Supporting students with Asperger’s syndrome. Teaching exceptional children, 1(61). Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing cultural differences. Routledge. Phelps, F. G.; Doherty-Sneddon, G.; Warnock, H. (2006). Helping children think: Gaze aversion and teaching.
British Journal of Developmental Psychology 24 (3): 577