Rethinking Stuttering: Celebrating Verbal Diversity
When parents hear the word “stuttering,” it can bring up worry or fear about their child’s future. For many years, stuttering was viewed only as a “problem to fix.” But today, new research and approaches help us see stuttering in a different, more affirming way—one that celebrates communication in all its forms and embraces verbal diversity.
When parents hear the word “stuttering,” it can bring up worry or fear about their child’s future. For many years, stuttering was viewed only as a “problem to fix.” But today, new research and approaches help us see stuttering in a different, more affirming way—one that celebrates communication in all its forms and embraces verbal diversity.
What Is Stuttering?
Stuttering is a neurological difference in the way speech is produced. It often shows up as repetitions of sounds or words (e.g., “b-b-ball”), stretching out sounds (e.g., “ssssun”), or pauses where speech seems “stuck.”
For children and adults who stutter, these moments can vary from day to day. Sometimes speech flows smoothly, other times it doesn’t—and that’s okay. Stuttering is not caused by nervousness, parenting style, or intelligence.
A Neurodiverse-Affirming Perspective
Instead of seeing stuttering as something “wrong,” we can view it as a natural part of human diversity—similar to the way we value differences in culture, language, or learning style. This approach, known as stutter-affirming therapy, focuses on:
- Reducing stigma rather than trying to “erase” stuttering
- Building confidence so children feel safe and proud using their voice
- Celebrating verbal diversity as an important part of who a person is
- Empowering communication in real-life situations, not just in the therapy room
This perspective is supported by research highlighted in Toward Stutter-Affirming Therapy by Nina A. Reeves and J. Scott Yaruss, which emphasizes a strengths-based approach and reminds us that stuttering is not a flaw, but a meaningful part of human communication.
What Research Tells Us
Recent studies show that stuttering is linked to how the brain processes timing and speech movements. This means stuttering is not a bad habit, but a natural difference in the way speech develops. Understanding this helps families move away from guilt or blame and toward acceptance and support.
Supporting Children Who Stutter
Parents and caregivers can play a huge role in helping children who stutter thrive. Here are some affirming ways to support them:
- Listen with patience and give your child time to finish their thoughts.
- Focus on what they say, not how they say it. Their ideas matter most.
- Model acceptance by using positive language about stuttering.
- Advocate for them at school and in the community so they feel seen and supported.
Therapy That Empowers
When therapy is needed, a strengths-based, neurodiverse-affirming approach can make all the difference. Instead of pushing fluency at all costs, therapy helps children:
- Build resilience and self-advocacy skills
- Reduce fear or shame around speaking
- Learn communication strategies that work for them
- Celebrate their voice as valuable and unique
To dive deeper into therapy approaches, common parent questions, and strategies that really help, check out my Instagram Live conversation with bilingual SLP and stuttering expert Ana Hernandez here on @bilingualspeechie.
Final Thoughts
At Bilingual Speechie, I believe every voice deserves to be heard—whether it flows smoothly or includes moments of stuttering. Stuttering is part of human diversity, and by shifting the focus from “fixing” to celebrating verbal diversity, we give children the confidence to share their ideas proudly in every language they speak.
If you’d like to learn more about stutter-affirming therapy or schedule a consultation contact me today!