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Listen to what the person is saying, stay engaged, and give them time to finish. Don’t complete their sentences, tell them to slow down or relax, or comment on how fluent they sound. A natural, patient response respects the person without making their speech the focus.
What should you do when someone stutters?
Keep your attention on the conversation and the person’s meaning, not on the mechanics of their speech. The Stuttering Foundation recommends natural eye contact, patient listening, and waiting until the speaker has finished. ASHA likewise advises listeners not to interrupt or speak for the person.
- Listen without rushing the speaker.
- Keep your body language engaged and your manner natural.
- Respond to what they said, as you would with anyone else.
STAMMA’s In Conversation With Someone Who Stammers guide puts it simply: “All you need to do is listen and be patient. That’s it. Just as you would when speaking with anyone.”
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Don’t finish their sentences
Even if you think you know what the person is about to say, wait. Completing a sentence can interrupt their turn and imply that you value finishing quickly over hearing them speak for themselves. In a response reproduced by the Stuttering Foundation, Miss Manners (Judith Martin) says: “So yes, it is considered rude to finish other people’s sentences.”
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Skip advice like “slow down” or “relax”
Avoid commands such as “Slow down,” “Take a breath,” or “Relax.” They can feel demeaning or increase tension, rather than help the person communicate. The Stuttering Foundation and ASHA both advise against this kind of direction.
Don’t grade, pity, or joke about their speech
Don’t congratulate someone for speaking fluently, call their speech “good” or “bad,” joke about stammering, or express pity. STAMMA recommends neutral, respectful language instead of describing someone as suffering from or overcoming stammering. Follow the person’s lead in how they describe their own speech.
How should you speak and respond?
Speak at an unhurried, ordinary pace. The Stuttering Foundation recommends slowing your own rate slightly if needed, but not so much that it sounds unnatural. You do not need to imitate the person’s speech or make the interaction feel like a special exercise.
When the person finishes, answer the point they made. If you missed something, ask them to repeat or clarify it in a straightforward way, just as you would with any speaker. Keep the focus on the conversation rather than offering unsolicited suggestions about changing their speech.
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- Stuttering: An Integrated Approach to Its Nature and Treatment
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What if the conversation is stressful or time-sensitive?
Telephone conversations and stressful situations—such as presentations or job interviews—can be harder for some people who stutter, according to the Stuttering Foundation. Give the person time to complete what they want to say; don’t assume they need you to step in.
If a practical deadline or interruption is unavoidable, explain it plainly and respectfully rather than rushing the person without warning. Patience does not require you to guess what the individual prefers; it means allowing room for them to communicate and responding to their actual needs.
Should you assume the person wants to stop stuttering?
No. People’s views and goals differ. ASHA notes that some people regard their speech as a different way of talking and may be proud of their resilience and confidence. Speech-language therapy goals can include easier speech, confidence, and communication; they are not necessarily about a cure. Don’t treat stuttering as a problem the person has asked you to solve.
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How can you keep your response respectful?
There is no single script that fits every person or situation. General guidance from the Stuttering Foundation, ASHA, and STAMMA converges on patience, attention, and respect, but it does not establish that every person who stutters wants exactly the same response. Treat the individual as the best guide: listen first, avoid assumptions, and follow their lead if they tell you what helps.
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