Happy International Stuttering Awareness Day! To the one percent of the world’s population who stutter when they speak, keep speaking no matter how hard it may be sometimes. Prayer, patience, and perseverance on the daily! In honor of today I first wish to address parents who have children with speech impediments.

Fathers and mothers who have children with speech impediments, you will naturally have questions about how to help your child in this regard. What should they do? What can I do? Will they be like this forever? What opportunities will they have? I know this must be just as difficult for you as it is for your child. As an adult, I now ponder how challenging it must have been for my parents to watch me grow up with a stutter. According to them my stutter began at age four. I did not become aware of my speech impediment until age six. Yes, it was not a smooth journey. Me having trouble saying my name, being patient on the phone, struggling with self-confidence, and more.

However, at age 32, I consider myself a living testimony that Jesus can do anything. Throughout school I aimed to get along with everyone, and I did. I got laughed at a couple times, but I don’t have to look at those people now. Through my struggle of speaking, I discovered music and sang in school choirs. To this day I’m singing in the church and on my own time. I’m a first degree black belt in TaeKwonDo. No, I’m not fighting you.

I went to college for four years and obtained a degree. I’m a Deacon in my church and involved in a few other ministries. I’ve been blogging since 2016. I have a full time job and I have always found employment. God has provided me with pay and recognitions. I’m married to a successful woman who isn’t bothered by my stutter. I got a baby on the way!

“”So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or blind? Have not I, the Lord?”” – Exodus 4:11 NKJV

Methods

Let your child decide for themselves what methods enable them to speak better.

• Practice speaking in front of the mirror
• Practicing talking on the phone.
• Thinking about the words before you speak.
• Elongate your words.
• Read aloud
• Tongue Twisters
• Poetry
• Sing
• Take a breath before you speak and breathe when you need to.
• Speak in your natural tone of voice
• Speak with a rhythm.
• Practice eye contact or look over someone’s head if you are too shy.

These are only suggestions that I have learned and have tried myself. What works for one person may not work for another.

Seek Guidance

Throughout grade school, I was blessed with speech teachers. While they did not cure me, (as there is no cure), they did give me the methods in order to live with it. Those methods I use to this day. You can also seek advice from other parents who have children who stutter. Seek groups and organizations that specialize in stuttering. Find out about your family history to see if any relatives also stutter so you can know that you are not the only way going through similar circumstances.

Love

Speech impediment or not, children require love and attention. You can continue that love towards them in the following ways:

• Do not interrupt them when they speak.
• Ask questions.
• Listen to them.
• Don’t get angry at them for stuttering.
• Do not write them off as disappointments.
• Let me speak at their own speed.
• Encourage them.
• Don’t finish their sentences, unless they ask you to.
• Stick up for them.
• Let them use what methods to help them speak, as long as they are not hurting themselves.
• Tell them you love them and that you are proud of them.
• Pray for them. Pray with them.

My Speech Progress

In honor of International Stuttering Awareness Day I wish to also share my own progress as a person who stutters. Last Saturday, I had to facilitate the Adventist Youth program at my church. It is a program we hold at our church an hour before sunset to close out the Sabbath. Everyone of all ages is welcome to attend. That day it was my day to facilitate the activity. This quarter our church has been studying the book of John, one of the four gospels in the New Testament. Because of that I decided to do the board game The Life of Jesus. Having a stutter, it is not an easy task getting everyone to listen. Sometimes during the program attendees can get a little rowdy when they’re having a good time, adults included. This time it was a little tamer. As I read the questions, I spoke at a steady pace; breathed when I needed to; stretched out a few words; and I gave good eye contact. It was no trouble at all. Not just because of the methods, but because I consider my church members to be my family.

To parents, have faith that your kids are going to be okay. Let them choose what works for them, seek guidance, and give them all the love and respect in the world. To those who stutter, pray; be patient; and persevere. Happy International Stuttering Awareness Day.

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