Top 5: How to Talk About Stuttering
Click the video above to start watching!
“Contrary to popular beliefs,
the act of talking about stuttering is often liberating
- not traumatic. ”
In this video, we learn about a family of school-age child who stutters, working together to find descriptive language - as opposed to judgmental language (i.e. good/bad) - to talk about stuttering.
Top 5 Words to Talk About "Stuttering"
sticky
bumpy
effortful
tense
pressed
* NOTICE: Can you see the descriptive language - and the absence of judgemental language?
** Also, try to use words to describe what it is (i.e. "tense"); and not what it's not (i.e. "not easy").
You can see how it gets confusing using negatives ;-)
Top 5 Words TO TALK ABOUT "FLUENCY"
gliding
smooth
easy
fluid
flow
effortless
* NOTICE: These words are centered on the experience of the speaker / talker; how it feels for the speaker (i.e. sticky, easy). As opposed to focusing exclusively on how it is perceived by the listener (ie. stuttering or fluent).
EXERCISE: Build YOUR OWN (FAMILY) "vocabulary"
TIPS: Try with your family
Keeping it light-hearted (even fun) thinking of words to describe speech (both "stuttering" and "fluency")
Brainstorm altogether, or see if each person can create their own list and then share with each other.
See who can come up with the most words!
Put the words in a notebook, on your phone notepad or on the fridge; and begin to use these words when talking about speech. You can even discuss sharing "your personalized vocabulary" with therapists, teachers, family.
Let us know:
What words are in "your stuttering vocabulary"?
Uri Schneider, Co-Director Schneider Speech