Stuttering — also called stammering or childhood-onset fluency disorder — is a speech disorder that involves frequent and significant problems with normal fluency and flow of speech. People who stutter know what they want to say, but have difficulty saying it. For example, they may repeat or prolong a word, a syllable, or a consonant or vowel sound. Or they may pause during speech because they've reached a problematic word or sound.
Stuttering is common among young children as a normal part of learning to speak. Young children may stutter when their speech and language abilities aren't developed enough to keep up with what they want to say. Most children outgrow this developmental stuttering.
Sometimes, however, stuttering is a chronic condition that persists into adulthood. This type of stuttering can have an impact on self-esteem and interactions with other people.
Children and adults who stutter may benefit from treatments such as speech therapy, using electronic devices to improve speech fluency or cognitive behavioral therapy.
Here’s how you can help someone who’s struggling with the problem of stuttering:
1. Stay relaxed
To stop stuttering or stammering, it’s really important that the person stay as calm as possible. Don’t stress them out and don’t make them feel anxious. Instead, try to maintain a relaxed atmosphere at home.
2. Let them complete their talk
Don’t make them feel sorry for speaking several times a day (such as at family time and at mealtimes) while listening to them without interruption. Instead of that, ask them to try to speak slowly and clearly, so that they can say whatever they want to.
3. Listen to them
Don’t ghost them while listening. Stuttering is a speech disorder to try to pay attention to what the person is saying instead of how they are saying it.
4. Boost confidence
Someone who stutters needs to be confident and patient. You can help your child learn to do things, praise your child on his/her small achievements but do it wisely, be a good parent, avoid criticism, focus on strengths and connect with a doctor for help.
5. Avoid the triggers
Avoid instances that are likely to cause the person to stutter more. Breathing exercises can help one manage their stress and anxiety issues.
6. Communicate with them
Don’t make the person who stutters feel awkward. Try to work together with one who stutters. This will help the person to enhance his self-esteem.
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