How to Help A Child who stutters or Stammering Cope
Does your child stammer? Or, do you live with a stammerer / stutter and you are wondering how to make him or her cope in with the disorder? Here are the 10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder. Read also: 8 Ways to Help Autistic Child Cope Academically.
Another word for stammering is stuttering. Stammering is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. If you struggle with speaking or reading aloud fluently you might be suffering from child onset disorder. These Sets of people usually know what to say but find it very difficult to put it into speech.
As common as it is, there are still ways to have control over it. In this article, we shall find the causes of this disorder and also provide you with ways to handle it effectively, either for yourself or the person around you.
This is a common problem for children who speak English as their native language. This condition affects approximately 3% of the population worldwide. If you or someone you care about has trouble speaking, you might wonder whether they should seek treatment.
This is an involuntary problem that affects millions of people worldwide. However, researchers and other medical practitioners believe that genetics plays a role in causing stammering which is obvious. And genetic diseases can develop at any point. 10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder.
As a parent, you may find yourself wondering whether you should seek treatment for your child who has been diagnosed with stuttering. While most parents don’t wish to treat their children for a speech disorder, it is still possible to help your child cope with his or her stuttering. That is why this article discusses ways to help your child cope with his or her disorder.
Although most times like I have witnessed it, it affects boys more than girls. But nevertheless, the disorder is one that can be managed effectively. In this article, we will discuss with you, 10 ways to help a stutterer overcome his or her disorder. This list is meant to inspire you to help your child overcome his or her stuttering disorder.
10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder
1. Don’t Blame Them
It is common to blame the individual for developing a speech problem. However, there is nothing wrong with your child. If anything, he or she may be experiencing anxiety about speaking or communicating, don’t make it look as if the child willingly chose to impose that on themselves.
Try to remember that anyone can be born with any sort of disability, including stuttering. This means that you cannot control your child’s development. Instead, focus on helping him or her learn to live with the condition rather than trying to change it. 10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder.
2. Focus on Teaching Strategies
While teaching strategies are helpful for children who stutter, they aren’t necessary. Try to avoid focusing too much on techniques such as counting to ten, repeating sentences, using visual aids, or telling stories. These methods are useful tools, but they often backfire.
Instead, think about the things you like to say and the mannerisms you use when talking. Then, practice saying these things over and over again until you feel comfortable doing so. Do it right and you will see your child improving. You may read: Why Physical Education is Important In Primary Schools.
10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder
3. Avoid Stuttering Reminders
Many people believe that reminders are essential for overcoming stuttering. But, research shows that these reminders actually worsen stuttering.
Instead, pay attention to your child’s behaviour without thinking about the fact that he or she stutters. If you find yourself worrying about stuttering, remind yourself that your child does NOT stutter.
4. Encourage Independence
Children who stutter are often told to speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and speak louder. That advice teaches children to suppress the natural flow of thoughts and feelings that come with speaking.
Encouraging independence instead encourages kids to express themselves naturally. Parents should encourage their children to speak normally at school, home, and among peers. Teach them not to be in a haste to voice out themselves.
5. Create a Safe Environment
A safe environment helps children deal with their fears and anxieties related to stuttering. Children who stutter usually fear social situations, especially those involving strangers. 10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder.
So, try to create a positive environment for your child that makes him or her feel secure. For example, it may be difficult for your child to ask questions when he or she feels anxious. 10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder.
However, encouraging your child to ask questions and interacting with him or her in a casual atmosphere will help decrease the amount of stress he or she experiences.
10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder
6. Provide Positive Feedback
When you give your child positive feedback after each utterance, he or she will begin to associate stuttering with approval. That association is very powerful and can lead to improved communication.
For instance, if your child stutters when asked how old he or she is, when he or she responds with a comment such as “I’m five years old,” answer with something like, “That was a good answer. I liked what you said.”
7. Use Praise Rather Than Criticism
Praise is powerful. It motivates individuals to do better. And, praise is effective for reducing stuttering. To motivate your child, let him or her know what you think about his or her efforts. Tell your child that you appreciate his or her efforts, even though he or she stuttered. Remember, praising a child’s effort differs from criticizing his or her performance. The latter type of criticism tends to reinforce poor habits and discourage future attempts.
8. Teach Self-Control
Self-control takes practice. To develop self-control, teach children to delay gratification. 10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder.
Teach them to wait patiently for the right moment to talk. Also, reward them when they refrain from acting out in public, in class, or among friends. Lack of self-control is the reason many stutterers are yet to mark a significant improvement, teaching them to have control over their emotions.
10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder
9. Be Patient With Them
People who stutter tend to panic when they encounter a situation where they must speak. They worry about everything leading up to that moment. 10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder.
But, if you remain calm and focused, the initial stages of the conversation won’t seem so scary. In addition, you can reassure your child that he or she isn’t alone. Just be patient, they will communicate effectively.
10. Make Sure Everyone Is Ready to Listen
Even after your child learns to overcome stuttering, he or she may continue to suffer from anxiety and embarrassment.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that everyone involved in your child’s life is willing to listen to him or her.
This includes teachers, classmates, coaches, babysitters, and more. So, establish that everyone understands why your child needs to speak normally before attempting to initiate conversations. This will reduce the desperation of people who have not met him or her before, once they are aware, they wouldn’t want to worry about your child that much.
Here are three things you shouldn’t say to a kid who stutters:
1. “I don’t understand you”
This is one of the most common comments made to kids who stutter. It makes no sense since everyone understands each other. Kids who stutter often struggle to express themselves clearly. They may speak too fast or slow down too much. So, saying “I don”t understand you” doesn’t really mean anything. Instead, try asking questions like:
- What did you say?
- Can you repeat that?
- Do you want me to write that down?
- How does that make you feel?
2. “Shut Up”
When a kid stutters, he may feel embarrassed and frustrated. He may think his problem is embarrassing and shameful. That’s why telling him to shut up isn’t helpful.
Instead, try using phrases like:
- That sounds difficult.
- I’m sorry.
- Let me see if I can help.
- Would you like to talk about that?
3. “Stop Stuttering”
A parent may tell a child who stutters to stop stuttering.
However, this comment is usually ineffective. You may ask why? It is because kids who stutter often feel anxious and uncomfortable talking. 10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder.
They may feel ashamed or embarrassed. So, instead of telling a kid to stop stuttering, try these tips:
- Ask open-ended questions.
- Listen carefully.
- Encourage the child to practice.
10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder
Conclusion
Stammering or stuttering is something that can happen to any child. Sometimes, as a parent, you would have little or no control over these disorders. Once your child is reported to be suffering from stammering be rest assured that it is something that can be managed.
Remember, kids who stutter aren’t stupid. They simply have a communication disorder. By learning to accept and respect their differences, kids who stutter can become successful adults. 10 Ways To Help Your Stammering Child Cope With His or Her Disorder.
