When I was younger, I would do anything I could to keep my stuttering a secret, or divert attention away from it. I would gladly take on any other labels or perceptions about myself; slow, stupid, quiet, antisocial, weird, etc... To me, in my mind, being known as someone who stutters was the worst outcome, and to convince someone of anything else was a victory. I don't recommend this tactic, and I regret it now that I'm older, but that's what it took for me to get through those years.