International Stuttering Awareness Day is October 22. The day has been recognized since 1998 and is an opportunity to increase understanding, acceptance, and support for people who stutter. ISA Stutter

Let’s start with something simple.

If you’re talking to someone who stutters:

Don’t finish their sentence.

Even if you know what they’re going to say.

Even if you think you’re helping.

Even if you think you’re saving them time.

Give them the space to finish.

Stuttering Is More Than What You Hear

Stuttering can include repetitions, prolongations, and blocks—but the experience of stuttering is about much more than disruptions in speech.

Imagine knowing exactly what you want to say and wondering:

“Will I be able to get this word out?”

“Will someone interrupt me?”

“Will they think I’m nervous?”

“Will they laugh?”

“Will they finish for me?”

Those experiences can influence how someone feels about communication.

The Goal Isn’t Always “Never Stutter”

This is something we think is incredibly important.

Speech therapy for someone who stutters should be individualized around their goals, not simply the idea that stuttering must disappear.

For one person, the goal might be feeling more confident speaking in class.

For another, it might be participating in a job interview.

Someone else may want to make phone calls without avoiding them.

Another person may want to speak up in a group.

Therapy can focus on communication confidence, reducing avoidance, managing moments of stuttering, and developing strategies that support participation.

What Can Communication Partners Do?

Try this:

Instead of:

“Slow down.”

Try:

Listen.

Instead of:

“Take a breath.”

Try:

Give them time.

Instead of:

Finishing their sentence…

Try:

Let them finish.

Instead of:

Looking away…

Try:

Maintain natural eye contact.

Instead of:

Assuming they’re nervous…

Try:

Listen to what they’re actually saying.

Stuttering Doesn’t Tell You How Capable Someone Is

People who stutter can be:

Teachers.

Doctors.

Parents.

Actors.

Leaders.

Students.

Business owners.

Friends.

Co-workers.

Athletes.

And everything else.

Stuttering is one characteristic of how someone communicates—not a measure of intelligence, competence, personality, or potential.

At iRehab Services, We Make Room for Communication

Our speech-language pathologists work with children, teens, and adults who stutter.

We focus on individualized goals and creating a therapy environment where people feel comfortable communicating without judgment or pressure.

And because we offer in-person and telehealth services, therapy can happen in the environment that works best for you.

📞 248.252.6064
📧 marcia@irehabservices.com

This International Stuttering Awareness Day, let’s make one small commitment:

Don’t rush the message just because the words take longer.

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