How you can help stutterers

ADMIT IT

‘This could be the most difficult thing to do for kids and adults who stutter. We need to accept it is okay to stutter. Removing the labels and stigma around it will allow us to embark on our journey of personal growth. I am who I am today because of my stutter and am grateful for that.’

EARLY INTERVENTION

‘Parents should look out for warning signs and consult a speech-language pathologist to determine whether the child has a stutter. The therapist can teach techniques that could minimise the severity of stuttering if treated early on.’

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

‘My brother and I were fortunate to have parents who never treated us any different than our other siblings who didn’t stutter. Accept your kids for who they are.’

SPEAK UP AGAINST BULLYING

‘Statistics show that 45 per cent of children get bullied worldwide. I was once one of them. I urge parents to speak up in support of your child when other family members or friends pass disparaging comments. Your silence indicates to the child that it is okay to be bullied.’

HAVE PATIENCE

‘Showing signs of impatience makes a person who stutters more self-conscious. Listen to what we say, not how we say it.’

REFRAIN FROM GIVING ADVICE

‘Just slow down! Don’t talk too fast! Write it down! Please relax! These are just some of the misconceptions people who do not stutter have about us. Your intentions may be good but unfortunately, it is misinformed.’

ALLOW US TO FINISH OUR SENTENCES

‘It is not that we do not know the words; we just need time to bring them out. Allow us to finish our sentences. Do not fill in words; instead, give us time to think and speak.’

MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT

‘Do not look away or start fidgeting when we stutter. We are sensitive to body language. Treat us as you would any other person.’