You have a child who stutters, so you know that there has been no magic “overnight” cure. New and important developments in education and therapy are happening all the time. In the meanwhile, there is so much that you, your child, and others in your child’s life can do. The NSA’s goal is to empower you and your child with knowledge, understanding and hope that will help to build your child’s chances of successful speech development. Here are 10 things you can do now to help your child:

1. Learn about stuttering

You can help yourself understand your child’s journey by gaining more knowledge about stuttering. Knowing the facts can help both you and your child better cope with the complexities of this often confusing communication disruption.

2. Evaluate your family’s communication style

Make time each day for quality, relaxed talking time with your child. Many families today are faced with both parents working and less time available for conversation. A hurried atmosphere creates unnecessary stress that can make it harder for your child to communicate successfully.

3. Listen to your child

Listen to the your child’s message, not the stuttering. Rather than concentrating on the way your child is talking, listen to his ideas. Let him know that what he is saying is more important than how he is saying it.

4. Talk with your child

To the extent that he or she is comfortable or willing, talk openly with your child about stuttering. Keeping the lines of communication open can serve to create an atmosphere of sharing between you and your child. Open communication allows your child to know that she can talk to you about how she feels about her stuttering, and this can help her know that she is not alone in dealing with this problem.

5. Choose appropriate therapy

One of the most important steps is to find appropriate therapy for your child. Seek a speech therapist who is knowledgeable about the treatment of childhood stuttering, and work closely with your therapist to ensure the best possible outcome for your child. A list of speech-language pathologists who are board-recognized specialists in stuttering, as well as a list of clinicians who are not formally recognized as specialists but who have obtained additional training about childhood stuttering, can be found through the “Specialist Referral” link on the right.

6. Get involved

Parents need to be educated, trained, and informed in all aspects of therapy. You can become a partner in the therapy process by learning about the complexities of stuttering and stuttering therapy. Try to understand what your child is experiencing. Your child needs to manage his stuttering on his own, but knowing that you are willing to be “in the trenches” with him creates an important bond.

7. Be heard

You are your child’s best advocate. As you increase your knowledge and understanding of stuttering, you gain the tools to support your child’s long-term success. Often, parents need to educate the people in the child’s environment about stuttering and speech therapy. You can also teach your child to advocate for himself by helping him talk to teachers and others about his speech and about what he has learned in therapy.

8. Learn to accept your child’s stuttering

Children can learn to accept and manage stuttering in a variety of ways. Stuttering is a very small part of who your child is and even less a part of who they will become. Stuttering creates NO limitations. Acceptance is the key. You need to know that you are your child’s “safe place.” Your child needs to know that your love and acceptance are unconditional, whether or not he or she stutters.

9. Give yourself a break

Change is a process. As you, your child, and your family learn to cope with stuttering, understand that change takes time. Give yourself and your child permission to take small and varied steps along the way.

10. Get Connected

The National Stuttering Association (NSA) is dedicated to providing hope, empowerment, and support for you and your child. Through our connection network, you can be a part of a community of families and children just like yourselves throughout the United States. The greatest gift that you can give yourself and your child is the knowledge that you are not alone and that help is available!