Tips for teens who stutter

Here are some things that teens said about stuttering - their tips to help others like them who stutter too!

• More haste, less speech
• People are more interested in what you have to say than how you are saying it
• Make a list of the things you are good at
• Notice other people's communication skills - no one is perfect!
• You can't mind-read - imagining the worst doesn't help
• Notice the colour of people's eyes when you talk to them - this will help you to maintain eye contact
• You can help others feel relaxed. Smile and try to look relaxed (even if your stomach is all knots and butterflies)
• To stop people asking you questions - ask them something first (e.g. "where do you live, work, go to school etc?")
• The harder you try not to stutter, the worse it gets - go with the flow
• Use pauses to give yourself time
• Try to talk about your stutter to someone today
• Mention the stutter in passing as if you are not concerned about it!
• Notice those things that seem to help - and do some more
• Praise yourself for having a go at something you usually avoid
• Noticing something you have done well is better than self-criticism
• Be fair to yourself
• Try to avoid self-talk which includes 'I must' and 'I should' - try 'I might have a go' and 'I could try to'
• Set one small but achievable goal today - and pat yourself on the back
• Notice the times when you stutter less, rather than concentrating on when it is worse
• Don't start speaking until you are ready
• Say a little more than you usually do
• When you mind less about your stuttering, you often stutter less too
• Smile a bit more; this will help others feel relaxed
• Feel the fear and do it anyway!
• Worrying about what others might be thinking is very unhelpful - you could be wrong
• Can you really read other peoples' minds? Do you really know what other people think about your speech?
• Do most people know you stutter? Try not to hide it from them
• Is everyone nasty about stuttering? Or are some people just nasty?