Hi, I am a speech therapist and I see a lot of clients with stuttering. For many of my clients struggle isn’t just about speaking—it’s about navigating reactions, interruptions, misunderstandings, and stigma. They put a lot of effort to avoid certain words, they practice and plan ahead before speaking, and usually feel anxious in social situations. This internal struggle often isn’t visible but deeply affects their confidence and comfort level. For some of them, stuttering is tied to years of negative experiences, so discussing it openly may be hard. The fact that he’s uncomfortable talking about it doesn’t mean he doesn’t appreciate your care; it may just mean he needs time and space to process. What you could try is to listen patiently without rushing or finishing sentences (even if you feel impatient internally—that’s normal to feel sometimes but try to give space). Focus on what he is saying not how is saying. Learn more about stuttering yourself. The Stuttering Foundation (stutteringhelp.org) has many articles and resources written by and for people who stutter and those who care about them.