How are people who don’t stutter able to support and make people who stutter more comfortable in everyday interactions?
Hi! My name is Raygan Carr and I am studying Speech Pathology at the University of Akron. As a person who does not stutter, I would like to do all that I can to make those who stutter comfortable while speaking with me. What has a person who doesn’t stutter done that made you feel accepted when speaking? Along with this, what is a technique that has helped you gain confidence when speaking?
Hi Raygan
Thank you for your question. I feel the most accepted if the person I’m talking to is respectful and honest. A person who doesn’t interrupt, doesn’t fill in my words, doesn’t look away, and doesn’t come with “helpful” comments (there are not helpful). And with honest I mean if s/he wonders about something, that s/he asks. If s/he doesn’t have time to listen, to be honest and tell me. In short, a person who is a friend. 🙂
The techniques that helped me are 1. selfesteem. The better I feel about myself, the better I speak. Fluency is one thing, but if I don’t love and accept myself, I’m building a tower in the swamp, and risk to fall so hard, it can make me silent, or be afraid of every word, as fluency might become the only “right” thing. 2. public speaking. Good speakers use body language, voice, pausing, etc. By studying speakers I like to watch and listen to, and learning from them, my speech has increased. It is, and will always be a roller coaster, but I can use the techniques when I feel I need to use them. And the acceptance to feel ok when I decide to not use techniques and just stutter on. I also feel good by relaxation techniques. ANd of course peers who cheer for me on good days and who pull me up when I’m not feeling good.
Keep talking and happy ISAD
Anita