Hiya! I’m hoping sharing a bit of my experiences and story could help you out a little bit for your video. Since there’s no exact response you’re looking for I’ll just spitball so unique experiences and beliefs I have with stuttering in sections! First off, Causes: I haven’t done too much research on what causes stuttering in different individuals. From what I do know though, it’s typical a mental or neurological symptom of an irregularity in one’s mind or brain. While there are physical causes too, these are much more rare. Anyways, some people stutter more when they get anxious for a presentation or a phone call. For others, it’s just a a toss up that’s determined by day and recent habits. For instance, if someone has a relatively calm week and has been social they may experience less stuttering than say a week where thoughts of bills or rocky relationships occupy their mind. There’s also evidence that stuttering can be linked to the stutterers upbringing and home environment. In my case, I stutter much more when I am around my dad than anybody else. I don’t know the reason, it’s just the way it is. What this all means: Stuttering isn’t always a symptom that someone is anxious or panicked. There’s a stigma that people who stutter for presentations are unprepared for the topic. In erasing experience, this is far from the truth. No matter how much I know the material I feel as though I stutter the same (if not worse) than if I were to wing the topic. Additionally, everyone stutters for different reasons— most usually out of their control entirely. When I meet new people some catch onto the stutter fairly quick and even get interested in the topic! One thing I always mention is that stuttering is not controllable and doesn’t necessarily mean someone is shy/nervous/anxious/upset/excited/etc. I encourage them to never judge somebody based on their inability to get sentences out on their first try. I’ve had encounters where people assume I’m flustered and flirting because of the mild stammering. Usually we can laugh this off, but it’s important to understand that what we ‘struggle’ with in speech others interpret in countless ways! How to speak to someone who stutters: (This one is my favorite!!) So, I’ve stuttered since I was roughly 8 years old (21 M). High school was hard and I was extremely introverted because I was afraid other kids would make fun of me. In truth, some did. High school is a nasty place. The only advice I can give to people in that grade who stutter is to grit your teeth and take the grunt of it. Stand up for yourself if you see fit and explain your stutter to them, or just move along and let by gones be by gones. Whatever you do, try not to let the insults and fear infest your entire day. Anyways, when I was in class around high school I would be reluctant to raise my hand and answer out of fear of stuttering. I maintained A’s regardless, but I wish I spoke more in hindsight. I went off to college and this is where I learned the best way people can communicate with me! I started friendships off over text message (fairly introverted in the beginning). The texts broke the ice and I would sometimes drop I have a stutter in a way that came off playful and nonchalant. When we met up for a class or meal I would strike up the conversation and just carry on. Some people hardly recognize the stutter while others notice immediately and struggle to know how to approach it. I’ve had people interrupt to finish my sentences for me, smile and nod until I complete my sentence, and completely ignore the topic after I struggled to get my point across. Of those I’d say ignoring someone’s point after they struggled to speak about it is the worst thing you can do. The last thing anybody wants is to feel dismissed, let alone after trying so hard to be heard. Finishing someone’s sentence can be a toss up, I personally don’t mind too often, but some friends of mine feel defeated when someone completes their sentences for them. It’s personal preference. My advice for that is to finish their sentence for them once if you can and then ask if it was okay. If they seem a bit startled then reassure them that you didn’t mean to offend them, just wanted to help them if you could. Some people will be thankful while others may be left a bit offended of embarrassed. Lastly, nodding and reacting to their message after they’re finished is the biggest compliment you can give to someone who stutters. I had a speech and communication class where we gave speeches weekly to the class. I stuttered each and every time going well beyond the time limit (address this with your teachers at the beginning of a course, they will almost always accommodate!). I aced the class, but the most flattering experience was when a few students approached me after and told me they really enjoyed my speech! They made comments about how they loved the eye contact I maintained and how I spoke well with my hands. Some even made comments about how I never beat myself up for stammering at almost each word. To sort of summarize that last point, make comments and constructive notes after somebody stammers. They’ll look back on the conversation positively and it will give them a huge confidence boost later on. That speech was 3 years ago and I still look back at it with a smile! What comes easy to some is a difficult to others. Treat people who stutter with the same respect and admiration you would anybody else. At the end of the day, I believe my biggest hurdle was the worry I had for myself. Compliment someone who stutters, reassure them that you are listening and enjoying the conversation. Those two things will go such a long way! Hope I didn’t ramble on too much. Seems to be a lot easier in message than person 😉