Many students who stutter, no matter what age, do not participate in class and dread speaking assignments because they are "afraid of stuttering." Some students have found that they do better if the teacher allows them to do a presentation about stuttering. That helps the rest of the class understand what a stutterer goes through. Teachers can help with these tips from the Stuttering Foundation of America:
"8 tips for teachers
1. Don’t tell the child “slow down” or “ just relax.”
2. Don’t complete words for the child or talk for him or her.
3. Help all members of the class learn to take turns talking and listening. All children — and especially those who stutter — find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions and they have the listener’s attention.
4. Expect the same quality and quantity of work from the student who stutters as the one who doesn’t.
5. Speak with the student in an unhurried way, pausing frequently.
6. Convey that you are listening to the content of the message, not how it is said.
7. Have a one-on-one conversation with the student who stutters about needed accommodations in the classroom. Respect the student’s needs, but do not be enabling.
8. Don’t make stuttering something to be ashamed of. Talk about stuttering just like any other matter.
Compiled by Lisa Scott, Ph.D., The Florida State University"
