A stutter is characterised by involuntary disruptions in the flow of speech. These disruptions can include repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words, prolongations of sounds, and blocks of silence during speech. It can be challenging for children who stutter, impacting their confidence and communication abilities. 

According to the Australian Stuttering Research Centre, around 1% of the Australian population stutters, with the onset typically occurring in early childhood. While stuttering can be a lifelong condition, there are effective strategies and tools to support individuals who stutter. 

In this blog, we’ll look at tips that can help someone who stutters, along with how our tool kits can assist in this journey.

Early Signs for Parents

Identifying early signs of a stutter can assist parents to seek early intervention. Watch for the following indicators:

• Repetitions: Repeating sounds, syllables, or words (e.g., "b-b-b-ball")
• Prolongations: Stretching out sounds in a word (e.g., "ssssssun")
• Blocks: Pauses or blocks where the child seems unable to produce sounds
• Struggling: Visible effort or struggle to speak, such as tension in the face or body
• Avoidance: Avoiding speaking situations or substituting words to avoid stuttering

Tips for Helping Someone Who Stutters

1. Be Patient and Listen

Give the person time to speak without interrupting or finishing their sentences. It’s best to maintain natural eye contact and show that you are listening and interested in what they are saying, not how they are saying it.

2. Create a Relaxed Speaking Environment

Encourage a calm and supportive environment, reduce the pressure to speak quickly or perfectly and let them know that it’s okay to take their time.

3. Read Together

Reading aloud can be a fun and educational way to practice speech. Take turns reading, allowing your child to build confidence.

4. Avoid Negative Reactions

Refrain from making negative comments or reacting with frustration, positive reinforcement and a supportive attitude can assist in building confidence.

5. Use Simple, Clear Language

When communicating with a child who stutters, use simple and clear language. This can help them process what you are saying more easily and reduce the cognitive load during conversations.

6. Model Slow and Calm Speech

Speak slowly and calmly yourself, this models a relaxed speaking style for the person who stutters and can help reduce the pressure they might feel to speak quickly.

7. Encourage Turn-Taking

In group settings, ensure everyone has a chance to speak without interruption, as this can help the person who stutters feel more comfortable and less pressured to rush their speech.

8. Educate Yourself and Others

Learn more about stuttering and share this knowledge with family, friends, and colleagues, as understanding stuttering can lead to a more supportive and inclusive environment.

9. Seek Professional Support

Encourage the person who stutters to seek support from a Speech Pathologist as professional therapy can provide strategies and techniques tailored to their specific needs.

How Talk and Teach Tool Kits Can Help

Talk and Teach Tool Kits are designed by certified Speech Pathologists to support children with various speech and language challenges, including stuttering. 

Here's how our tool kits can assist:

• Engaging Activities: Our tool kits include a variety of games and exercises that make speech practice enjoyable and effective. These activities are designed to reduce the pressure and anxiety often associated with speaking.
• Structured Practice: Our tool kits provide structured activities that help children practice speech in a supportive and controlled environment; this can help build their confidence and reduce the occurrence of stuttering.
• Parental Support: Our tool kits come with easy-to-follow guides and resources for parents, empowering them to support their child’s speech development at home. This ensures consistency and reinforcement of techniques learned in therapy.
• Progress Tracking: Monitoring progress is crucial for children who stutter. Our tool kits include tracking tools that help parents and therapists measure improvements and adjust strategies as needed.