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