Empowering Students Who Stutter: Teacher Tips for a Supportive Classroom

Stuttering can affect students in many ways, from how comfortable they feel speaking up in class to how confident they are during presentations. As educators, the classroom environment you create plays a significant role in supporting students’ overall communication confidence. Here are some strategies educators can use to foster inclusion and success.

1. Create a Supportive Environment

• Normalize Differences: Remind students that everyone communicates differently. This reduces stigma and helps the child who stutters feel less isolated.
• Model Patience: Demonstrate active listening and give each student the time they need to finish speaking. 

2. Adjust Classroom Communication

• Avoid Finishing Sentences: Even if you think you know what the student is going to say, allow them to complete their thought.
• Slow Your Pace: Speaking at a relaxed, slower pace can reduce pressure and model fluency-enhancing communication.
• Offer Alternatives: Give students the option to answer questions in different ways (verbally, in writing, or in small groups).

3. Support Oral Participation

• Pre-Plan Speaking Opportunities: Let the student know in advance if they’ll be called on so they can prepare.
• Small-Group Practice: Encourage speaking in smaller, supportive groups before whole-class activities.
• Presentation Options: Provide flexibility, such as presenting to the teacher first or using visual aids, to reduce stress.

4. Collaborate With Specialists

• Work With the SLP: Speech-language pathologists can provide specific strategies tailored to the student’s needs.
• Communicate With Families: Families can share what works well at home to help build consistency across settings.

5. Foster Peer Understanding

• Educate the Class: With the student’s permission, provide age-appropriate information about stuttering to foster understanding and empathy. In some cases, students who stutter may even choose to take the lead by educating their peers, such as giving a short class presentation. This helps to build confidence and normalize stuttering.
• Encourage Respect: Reinforce that interrupting, teasing, or finishing others’ sentences is not acceptable.

By creating a classroom culture of patience, respect, and understanding, teachers and educators can empower students who stutter to feel confident, valued, and heard. Every student’s voice deserves the chance to be shared and celebrated.