How to support a child who stammers – for teaching staff

What is stammering?

About 8% of children will experience something like stammering at some point. It most often happens between the ages of two and seven years.

About 2% of adults stammer. Many people find that as they get older they stammer less.

In the UK we say mostly ‘stammering’ or therapists say ‘dysfluency’, other countries call it ‘stuttering’. They all mean the same thing and there is no difference between them.

Stammering is when someone repeats sounds (e.g. “m, m, m, m mummy”) syllables (e.g. “I see a bu, bu, bu, butterfly”) whole words and even short phrases, stretching out of long sounds and vowels (e.g. “sssssssssssnake”) or not being able to get started on a word or sentence (getting stuck) while talking.

It is normal for stammering to come and go and get better and then worse again. It can tend to increase when the person is tired, unwell or feeling a strong emotion like feeling excited or angry.

“People who don’t know about stammering will try and finish your sentences for you. The majority of people want to finish their own sentences.”

“Sometimes people do try and hurry me up. It’s worse when I’m put on the spot because it makes it feel like everyone’s watching me.”

“People make me happier and more confident if they encourage me. They can encourage me by saying nice things, saying things that I can do.

How to help

As a teacher, you play a vital role in helping children who stammer feel confident and supported in the classroom. Here are some tips to help you provide effective support:

Be patient and understanding

Children who stammer may take longer to articulate their thoughts, so it's important to be patient and not interrupt them. Provide a supportive and understanding environment where they feel comfortable speaking.

Encourage participation

Children who stammer may avoid participating in class discussions or activities for fear of stammering. Encourage and praise their participation, no matter how much they stammer.

Be aware of situations that might be more difficult for the child who stammers and discuss how you could help make it easier. Here are some examples:

• answering the register – allow a range of responses, such as, “yes,” “here,” “present,” raising the hand, nodding etc.
• oral presentations or exams it may be easier if the presentation is made to a smaller group. Give plenty of warning and opportunities to practise. Extra time can be considered by the exam board when supported by a letter from a speech and language therapist.
• reading aloud in class – reading in unison with another person usually helps a pupil who stammers. For paired reading choose a partner who is easy-going and patient.

Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for building confidence in children who stammer. Praise their efforts and successes and let them know that their stammering does not define them.

Model good listening skills

Children who stammer need to feel heard and understood. By modelling good listening skills, you can create a supportive and empathetic environment.

Avoid finishing sentences

Children who stammer may feel frustrated or self-conscious if you finish their sentences for them. Instead, allow them to take their time and finish their thoughts on their own.

Avoid criticism

Criticism or negative comments about a child's stammering can be damaging to their self-esteem. Instead, focus on the content of what they are saying and offer positive feedback on their thoughts and ideas.

Provide opportunities for success

Children who stammer can feel more confident when they have opportunities to succeed. Provide opportunities for them to take on leadership roles or tasks they excel at, and recognise their efforts and accomplishments.

Be aware of potential teasing or bullying of the child who stammers, ask them if this happens and find ways together to respond to it. This could include increasing awareness of stammering in the classroom and how we are all different.

Seek support

If you need additional support or advice on how to help a child who stammers, contact a speech and language therapist.