This letter will shed some light on: Parents guide to stuttering! So, where do we start? Every parent of a confirmed stutterer is anxiously searching for a guide of what to do (and from what to avoid) regarding his child stuttering.
First, it is vital to remember that anyone can be disfluent in his rate of speech from time to time, especially in distressed or tensioned situations like:
1. Cannot remember the right word to say (“Tip of the tongue” syndrome).
2. When you talk on an unpleasant experience you had.
3. When your conversation partner does not pay attention to you or does not listen.
4. When talking with someone that does not like you, or talking with a very distinguished person (Judge, mayor, president…)
Who needs this guide? EVERY parent does!
There are a couple of ways to approach this guidelines teaching...One of them, which I like the most is the:
"10 commandments":
1. Listen to WHAT your child is saying – not to HOW he says that!
2. Let your child finish the sentence on his own – DO NOT “help” him with the missing word!
3. Let your child spend time alone with his lovable family persons (Mother, father, grandparents etc.)
4. Let your child initiate talking on his own – DO NOT demand talking situations from him.
5. When you ask your child a question , ask a question that will be answered in a SHORT answer. (“closed” questions like: “Did you had Science class today?” rather than: “open” questions like: “How was today at school?”)
6. Be a good speech model for your child! Try to talk slower in short clear sentences.
7. Do not criticize other people ways of talking in front of your child.
8. Make speech an enjoyable experience! Teach your child songs, sing-a-long, short stories etc. And repeat until he will be able to join you on his own.
9. Do not make remarks on the way your child talks, do not imitate his stuttering, and DO NOT say “why do you stutter?”
10. Make sure every day has a well known agenda to your child and stick to the plan – Less surprises better speech!
Other helpful ideas are: encourage your stutterer to join sports, clubs, and make every effort for your child to meet with his peers. Encourage your child on any good deed (not connected with speech!) he’s doing – Give your child the good feeling that you trust him. Do not make his stuttering a family secret – tell all your relatives ahead of time and give them a copy of this guide!!!
I trust you have gained some insight from this educational note. I appreciate the opportunity of being of service to you and your patients. Please e-mail me at galslp@gmail.com if you would like this or previous information to be sent to you via e-mail in a digital format.
Thank you,
Gal Levy, M.S., CCC-SLP
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