| � The goals are to keep the child�s stuttering at its present level, prevent its further development, and keep the child talking. � Don�t let your child know that you are anxious or concerned with his speech. � Keep your child healthy, getting adequate sleep and proper medication. � Look at your child when he speaks and show by your expression that you are interested in what he is saying and not how he is saying it. � Refrain from teaching tricks (deep breaths, arm-waving, finger-snapping.) � Don�t force the child to speak or recite to strangers. However, encourage the child to speak as often as he wants. � Accept your child as he is; don�t reject him or give the impression of rejection. � Do not let your child avoid normal responsibilities. Use the same discipline as with any other child. |
| � Look for emotional tension at home or school when stuttering is very bad. � Praise your child when he speaks well; but this should not be taken for praise for not stuttering; praise what he says, not how he says it. � Help your child develop constructive work and hobby attitudes. Give positive feedback and reinforcement. � The child should not be required to hurry with speaking nor should you develop the attitude that he should. � Maintain a calm, relaxed, unhurried manner with slow speech. � Avoid suggestions such as: Think before you speak; Talk slower or faster; Wait until you can say it; etc. � Don�t ask the child to substitute an easy word for a hard one as this will only increase the fear of certain words and phrases. � Don�t supply words. Let the child get his words out for himself. Don�t interrupt. |
| Nothing can ever take the place of love, understanding, and patience when dealing with a child � any child. If you are worried about your child�s speech, an evaluation by a licensed speech pathologist specializing in stuttering is the best possible approach. If you suspect that your child is stuttering, you should immediately arrange to have the child evaluated by a trained speech-language pathologist specializing in stuttering. You may be able to find one in the Speech Department of your local or regional hospital. If not, call CASLPA (Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists) at 1-800-259-8519 to find a qualified SLP in your area. Request the services of a speech language pathologist specializing in stuttering. Don�t wait for your child to �grow out of it,� you may be sentencing the child to a lifetime of stuttering. There could be a lengthy waiting list � don�t delay, do it today! |
| SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS OF STUTTERING CHILDREN Dorvan Breitenfeldt, Ph.D. |
| � Encourage speaking at home and in school. |
| SPEAK EASY Inc. - Canada's Organization For People Who Stutter - presents: |
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