Below you can find lots of good advice for teenagers who stammer. Indeed some of this advice was suggested by teenagers who have come to the Centre in the past.
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 stammer, the worse it gets - go with the flow
Use pauses to give yourself time
Try to talk about your stammer to someone today
Mention the stammer 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 stammer 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 stammering, you often stammer 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 stammer? Try not to hide it from them
Is everyone nasty about stammering? Or are some people just nasty?
Our friends
Success Stories
James (16) has had therapy on and off since he was four and was at first
reluctant to join the group intensive course for young adults.
However he told his parents afterwards that meeting others with the
same problem had been really helpful and that they were all quite
normal and really good fun!
