[THREAD]

How can you support students/adults who stammer?

This was inspired by #EducatingYorkshire and @MusharafAsghar

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Stammering is a neurological condition that makes it physically hard to speak.

Someone who stammers will repeat, prolong or get stuck on sounds or words. There might also be signs of visible tension as the person struggles to get the word out. Here are some other stammering facts:

About 8%* of children will stammer at some point

For up to 3%* of adults it will be a lifelong condition.

In the UK we largely use the term stammering. Other countries use the term stuttering. But it's the same thing. 

Stammering affects mainly men and every ethnicity.

There is no link between stammering and intellectual capacity. And it has nothing to do with flaws in someone's character (read the section 'Stigma' below).

Like other neurological conditions, it covers a spectrum. Everyone stammers differently and to different degrees.

For some there’ll be periods of their life when they stammer less and others when they will struggle to speak.

Many find that as they get older the condition improves.

Stammering isn’t caused by anxiety or stress, although people may stammer more when stressed or anxious.

Advice. Don't go there. Don’t tell the person to 'slow down', 'take a breath', or 'relax'. And definitely don't make the joke: 'Did you forget your name?'.

Don’t interrupt or speak over them.

Don’t try and guess or finish their words, it can be disempowering and unhelpful.

Maintain natural eye contact, listen, and wait until the person has finished speaking.

Let the speaker know you are listening. Focus on what they’re saying, not how they say it.

Stammering varies. People who stammer can have most difficulty when starting to speak and less later

People who stammer often find controlling their speech on the phone particularly hard. If you pick up the phone and hear nothing, give the caller plenty of time to speak.

Don't be afraid to ask them how you can make it easier for them.

People who stammer usually find saying their name hard. Please don’t EVER ask ‘have you forgotten your name?’. If you are about to meet new people, ask the person who stammers privately beforehand if they would like to introduce themselves or if they’d like you to introduce them.

Situations that many people who stammer find particularly demanding include: meeting new people (including meeting your friends and family for the first time), introducing themselves or others, job interviews, starting a new job, telephone calls etc

Please visit https://stamma.org/about-stammering for more information