commentr/StutterMarch 1, 2021

Content

The two comments above give great advice but I'll still give some of mine! \- If you clarify you have a stutter, it might get some pressure off of your shoulders. This will also clear the elephant in the room. I know when I'm with people who know I stutter, it's less stress. You might also want to tell your teacher ahead of time and explain your situation. Also, who is watching this? If it's just your teacher you might be able to simply email him or her and not explain it in the speech. If you go to in-person classes, talking to them in person might help bc it'll seem more personal. \- Practice! As a stutterer, we have to practice more but stutterer or not, practice is key! It'll help keep less stress on your shoulders. I've had different experiences though on whether sticking to the script or going off the script (more like a conversation) is more calming. Try both and see which one you feel better after. Note, I did not say which one you stuttered less in. The key to giving a presentation w/ a stutter is to be confident. I've met stutterers before who were tremendously confident but stuttered more than I did! \- Aim for a good speech, don't aim for no stuttering. In my opinion, fluid ≠ no stuttering. Fluid can mean talking "smooth/not choppy" between the words and in the words, you don't stutter on. It can also mean pausing at the right time (both for the context and for yourself to catch a breath). \- Ask yourself these questions- Does talking fast help or make you feel more stressed? Do you tense up and forget to breathe? Also, if you are in speech therapy I would recommend practicing the speech with your SLP. If you don't, go to the person you're most comfortable with (hopefully knows you have a stutter) and ask them for tips (not abut your stutter but about the speech). For the stutter, here are some techniques often used in speech therapy (look under stuttering modifications for the name, ignore the other columns). You can find quick videos online that explain how to use them. [https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad16/papers/koenig2.jpeg](https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad16/papers/koenig2.jpeg)

Themes

Social & RelationshipsSchool & WorkCoping & AdvocacyEmotional Experience

Subthemes

Disclosure & Telling OthersSchool & Academic LifeFluency TechniquesHope & MotivationAnxiety & Social Judgment