Listening Tips
Do you have a loved one or friend who stutters, and you want to ensure you’re properly supporting them and making their voice heard? Check out these practices to become a better listener.
These tips will help make your interactions with a person who stutters a more positive, communicative, and supportive experience.
- Please be patient. You may be tempted to finish sentences or fill in words, but please refrain from doing so unless you know the other person well and have their permission. Although you may have the best of intentions, completing another person’s sentences may feel demeaning. Of course, if you guess the wrong word, the communication difficulties only increase.
- Try to refrain from comments such as “slow down,” “take a breath,” or “relax.” To many people who stutter, this advice feels patronizing.
- Maintain eye contact and try not to look embarrassed or alarmed. Just wait patiently until the other person is finished talking.
- Be aware that people who stutter often have more difficulty speaking on the telephone. In particular, saying “Hello” can be a special problem. Please be extra patient in this situation.
- People sometimes wonder if it’s OK to ask someone questions about their stuttering. This is certainly a judgment call, and stuttering should not be considered a taboo subject. However, some people who stutter are sensitive about it and may prefer not to discuss the subject. By following the rules of common courtesy, everything should be fine.
- A person’s stuttering sometimes makes it harder to understand what they are saying. If you do not understand what is being said, don’t be afraid to simply say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand what you just said.” No matter how much of a struggle it was for them to say it, this is preferable to pretending you understood or guessing what was said.
- Be yourself and be a good listener. Let the person who stutters know by your body language and actions that you are listening to what is being said, not how it’s being said.
Please be kind, compassionate, and a great listener, because in the end, what ties us all together is the incredible gesture of human kindness.
SAY’s Life-Changing Programs
We believe that every young person who stutters has a voice that deserves to be heard. SAY empowers, supports, and advocates for young people who stutter, fostering confidence, community, and a world that listens. SAY builds a community of acceptance, friendship, and encouragement where kids and teens who stutter can develop the confidence and communication skills they need to thrive. Learn more about these SAY programs, and please submit an Inquiry Form with any questions.
SAY: Speech
SAY’s speech therapy program is led by a licensed speech-language pathologist and board-certified stuttering specialist. SAY: Speech embraces a holistic approach to stuttering therapy that addresses the individual needs and goals of each child and their family. We currently offer services to families in DC, MD, and NY for ages 3-18. Download our Speech Therapy Brochure.
Confident Voices: NYC
SAY’s award-winning weekend creative arts program takes place in New York City throughout the school year, inspiring imagination and empowerment through collaboration and connection. This project-based program for young people who stutter, ages 8-18, provides a unique forum for participants to express their thoughts, ideas, and dreams freely. Download our Confident Voices Brochure.
Camp SAY
Our 2-week ACA-accredited, sleepaway summer camp for young people who stutter, ages 8-18, combines an exceptional traditional camp experience with specialized programs and activities designed to build confidence, improve communication skills, and forge enduring friendships. Download our Camp SAY Brochure.
SAY: DC
This free weekly creative arts program is offered throughout the school year in Washington, DC, where young people who stutter are supported and encouraged to find their voice. Through the power of listening, artmaking, and connection, participants ages 5-18 come together to create a community of fun, creativity, and imagination. Download our SAY: DC Brochure.
Camp SAY: Across the USA
SAY’s regional mini–Day Camp weekend programs bring the transformative Camp SAY experience to cities across the country. Camp SAY: Across the USA is specially designed for kids who stutter, providing fun, self-discovery, and the opportunity to forge lasting bonds with new friends from their area.
My Stutter Project
This unique online program provides a brave and welcoming space for young people who stutter, ages 8-18. Through creative workshops, community, and encouragement, participants build confidence, communication, and self-advocacy skills in a space where others truly understand what they’re going through. Download our My Stutter Project Brochure.
