Stuttering

One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter.
~James Earl Jones

This week's topic was inspired by Austin Kleon (although I should have thought of it sooner myself!). Austin wrote:

It really helped me as a parent [of someone who stutters] (and a human and an artist) when I learned about neurodiversity from books like Steve Silberman’s Neurotribes and Andrew Solomon’s Far From The Tree. In his essay “Stammer Time,” journalist Barry Yeoman writes about how he thinks his stuttering makes him better at his job and how he and other stutterers are starting to feel that fluent speech is overrated.

Tips from the When I Stutter (the movie) site:

WHAT HELPS A PERSON WHO STUTTERS?

While there is no cure for stuttering, there are many approaches and philosophies that can help. The aspect of ACTIVE LISTENING is an element that should be employed when talking to a person who stutters. Interrupting a person who stutters or even finishing their sentence is, often times, not helpful and undesired. Just conveying that you are there to listen is GREATLY appreciated.

Finding a good speech therapist can also be helpful in one's journey. There are several to choose from and you should investigate which approach aligns with your communication goals. To find a speech-language pathologist press HERE. ​

The role of support groups such as the National Stuttering Association (NSA) can also be extremely beneficial in that they offer people who stutter the chance to share their experiences with other individuals who understand. The feeling that "you are not alone" becomes evident and can be life-altering. To find out more about the NSA and other organizations that support people who stutter press HERE

More resources:

* Books on Stuttering, includes sections on children's, adult, professional, Spanish, and French (The Stuttering Foundation)
* Popular Stuttering Books (GoodReads)
* How to Respond if Your Child Stutters (Scholastic)
* The King's Speech