How to Talk With Children Who Stutter

If your child struggles to get the words out, you may both feel the anxiety produced by this speech disorder. Although the disfluency of your child's words often makes it difficult to have a conversation, there are specific ways you can make communication easier for your child.

Instructions

    • 1

      Project a relaxed and unhurried demeanor when you interact with your child, recommends psychologists Barry Guitar and Edward G. Conture, writing for The Stuttering Foundation. If your child perceives impatience or stress as you listen and speak with him, you may inadvertently worsen speaking issues. Instead, slow your speech rate, pause and pay attention to your body language as well. Smile and relax while you converse to demonstrate that you value your child and want to take the time to hear him out.

    • 2

      Resist the urge to tell your child to ̶0;slow down̶1; as he̵7;s talking, advises the Minnesota State University, Mankato. Telling a stuttering child to slow the rate of speech may produce more anxiety. Many children are incapable of slowing speech rate on command. Instead, model a slow and methodical way of talking with your child to encourage him to speak the same way.

    • 3

      Simplify the speech you use with your child. Your child may follow your model of simpler speech and stutter less as a result. Speak using short sentences, simple vocabulary and basic grammar, suggest professors Gary R. LaBlance, Karen F. Steckol and Vicki L. Smith, with the Minnesota State University, Mankato.

    • 4

      Do not focus on the stuttering, because this may make your child embarrassed or self-conscious, warns the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics website. Just listen patiently, maintain eye contact and resist the urge to interrupt while your child speaks.

    • 5

      Address the stuttering issues if your child wants to talk about them. Be empathetic and understanding to help your child deal with his frustration. Tell your child that he can improve his stuttering with help of a speech therapist. Get recommendations from your child's doctor, for example. The speech therapist can assess your child̵7;s speech and offer therapy options that may help him speak more fluently.

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