I met with a student recently. He is someone who stammers, and he told me that he doesn’t see stammering being talked about much. So, with that in mind:
- Stammering impacts on communication and fluency of speech
- In the UK, people tend to use the words ‘a stammer’ or ‘stammering’ though occasionally you might hear someone referring to it as ‘a stutter’ or ‘stuttering.’
- According to various stammering charities and foundations, stammering affects about 70 million people, worldwide.
- Most stammering begins in early childhood, rather than in teenage years or adulthood.
I have noticed that some people who stammer speak quite effortlessly in relaxed environments, for instance when they are talking to friends or people they know.
On the other hand, it can be difficult for people who stammer when: speaking to someone for the first time, delivering presentations, contributing in group settings, taking part in interviews or meetings, or talking on the telephone.
I try to bear this in mind when meeting a student for the first time. I also try to not finish off their sentences or interrupt them.
Useful websites
- Stamma – British Stammering Association – StammaFest 2020 will take place in August, you can book you place here.
- Initiative called STUC aimed at university students and staff who stammer
- Factors involved in stammering
- An interesting article to read
- Stammering as a strength in the workplace
- Information and support for stammering discrimination
- Helpful resource to do with stammering such as workplace adjustments
For more interesting facts on stammering, have a look at a look at this previous DTG blog post: Stammering – a useful employer resource
Edmund Lewis, AGCAS Disability Task Group, University of Westminster
AGCAS Disability Task Group Blog 