Understanding Dysfluency

• Many children go through a normal period of dysfluency as they begin to talk.

• Stuttering is not a psychological problem—it’s a speech pattern that can vary from day to day.

• The amount of stuttering may change depending on:

  • The student’s anxiety or excitement

  • Who they’re speaking with

  • What they’re talking about

Classroom Strategies That Help

Focus on the Message

• Listen to what the student is saying—not how they’re saying it.

Show Respectful Attention

• Maintain eye contact while they speak.

• Avoid showing embarrassment or impatience.

• Use body language to show you’re willing to wait.

Let Them Finish

• Don’t complete their sentences or supply words.

• Allow them to express themselves fully.

Prevent Interruptions

• Make sure peers don’t interrupt or speak over the student.

Adjust Group Expectations

• Large group settings can be more challenging.

• Allow for:

  • Short phrases

  • Single-word answers

  • Non-verbal responses if needed

Reduce Wait Time

• Waiting too long to speak increases anxiety.

• Let the student respond early in group activities.

Modify Fast-Paced Tasks

• Rapid-response activities (like oral math quizzes) may be difficult.

• Offer choices or alternative ways to respond.

Be a Speech Role Model

• Speak slowly and calmly—model the pace you’d like the student to use.

Lower Language Demands

• On days with increased stuttering, reduce:

  • The number of questions

  • The complexity of language tasks

Supporting the Student Emotionally

Be Open and Accepting

• If the student asks about their speech, respond with calm reassurance:
  “Everyone has something that’s a bit tricky. For you, sometimes talking is hard—and that’s okay.”

Involve Family and Friends

• Encourage others not to comment on the stuttering.

• Avoid drawing attention to it in conversation.

Address Teasing Privately

• Speak one-on-one with any student who teases.

• Reinforce the idea that everyone has different strengths and challenges.

Avoid “Helpful” Phrases

• Don’t say things like:

  • “Relax”

  • “Take a break”

  • “Slow down”
    These can increase pressure and frustration.

Encourage, Don’t Force

• Invite the student to participate in speaking activities.

• But never force them to speak if they’re uncomfortable.

Helping Your Dysfluent Child at Home

📘 Understanding Dysfluency

Many typically-developing children experience a phase of normal dysfluency when they begin to talk. This is common and usually not a cause for concern.

Stuttering may vary depending on:

• The child’s level of anxiety or excitement

• Who they are speaking with

• What they are talking about

💡 Support Strategies for Parents

Here are some practical ways to support your child’s communication at home:

👂 Be a Patient Listener

• Focus on what your child is saying, not how they say it.

• Maintain eye contact while they speak.

• Let them finish their thoughts without interrupting or supplying words.

💬 Create a Supportive Environment

• Show genuine interest in their stories and ideas.

• Use relaxed body language to signal you’re present and not in a rush.

• Speak slowly and calmly to model the speech style you’d like them to adopt.

❓ Reduce Pressure

• Limit questions and language demands, especially on days with more noticeable stuttering.

  • Instead of asking, “What did you do on your trip?” try saying, “It looks like you had fun outside.”

🧠 Foster Emotional Safety

• If your child asks about their speech, respond with openness and reassurance:

  • “Everyone has something that’s a bit tricky. Sometimes talking can be hard for you, and that’s okay.”

🕰️ Give Them Time and Space

• Balance attention among siblings to reduce competition for your focus.

• Set aside special one-on-one time daily with your child.

• Minimize distractions like TV, radio, and background noise.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Encourage Respectful Communication

• Ask family and friends not to comment on or draw attention to your child’s stuttering.

• Avoid comparing your child’s speech to that of their peers.

Canadian Stuttering Association (CSA)

The Stuttering Foundation of America (SFA) 

The National Stuttering Association (NSA) 

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