Stuttering is a natural disorder that affects 1% of the world's population. Stuttering is a speech disorder that interrupts a person's normal flow of speech and causes him to repeat certain words or sounds. There is no one way to treat stuttering because everyone is different, but there are exercises that can help reduce a person's stuttering. By reducing anxiety, learning your speech patterns, reviewing stuttering triggers, and practicing them firsthand, you can significantly manage your stuttering.
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Part 1 of 3: Practice at Home
Step 1. Take deep, controlled breaths before speaking
Anxiety can make stuttering symptoms worse. Before engaging in an exercise session or talking to other people, relax your body with a series of deep breathing exercises. This step reduces anxiety and can prevent stuttering.
- Do breathing exercises regularly to reduce anxiety.
- Do breathing exercises especially before social interactions to relax yourself. Avoiding social anxiety will go a long way in reducing your stuttering.
Step 2. Speak while looking in the mirror
Watching yourself speak will help analyze your speech patterns. Pay close attention to the word, sound, or phrase that causes you to stutter.
- Maintain eye contact with yourself in the mirror. This is important because when talking to other people, maintaining eye contact will help reduce stuttering.
- You can also imagine looking at someone else in the mirror, and think of yourself as having a conversation. This method prepares you to talk to other people.
- Start by doing it yourself, but then include your family and friends. It may feel silly at first when someone else sees you talking to yourself in the mirror, but usually someone doesn't stutter so much when they're alone. Enlivening the room where you're practicing will help trigger your stuttering so you can analyze it.
Step 3. Record a video of yourself speaking
This method allows you to further analyze speech patterns. Get your camera ready and talk in front of it. Again, start alone, then move on to bringing friends or family along to trigger your stuttering. Play this recording and analyze your speech patterns.
Also invite friends or family to analyze the recording. They can notice the speech patterns you're missing and help provide solutions for dealing with them
Step 4. Create a list of hold and trigger words
People who stutter may have certain blocks, namely words, phrases, or sounds that are difficult to pronounce. These blocks trigger stuttering. While reviewing yourself as you speak, note down what the blocks are for yourself
Before you practice dealing with stuttering, you can stay away from these words or phrases when speaking in public. With practice and time, you will be able to overcome these triggers and be able to use them in everyday conversation
Step 5. Practice saying block and trigger words
After identifying the block that causes stuttering, focus on this word or phrase during the practice session. Repeat these words and phrases to reduce your sensitivity to them.
- First, focus on saying the trigger word or phrase slowly. Take a deep breath and say the words as gently as possible. Don't worry if you stutter; this is why you exercise.
- When you've become proficient with each trigger, create a sentence that includes all of your trigger words. Practice saying this sentence slowly and fluently.
Step 6. Extend the first syllable of each word
This exercise, known as prolongation, helps you focus and reduces the tension that produces stuttering. Speak as smoothly and quietly as possible while practicing, and focus on pronouncing each syllable fluently.
- Focus especially on reciting the trigger words. Breaking up words can help you overcome the blocks you have.
- Don't worry if you stutter during prolongation exercises. The goal is not to speak perfectly, but to maintain a calm while speaking.
Step 7. Practice speaking with a rhythm
People rarely stutter when singing. This is because speaking in a predictable rhythm can help the brain not get confused and stuttered in pronouncing words.
For example, you could practice saying the words to a song you like. This helps reduce stuttering and also makes practice sessions enjoyable
Step 8. Read aloud
This exercise will help you get used to pronouncing words. Focus on pronouncing every syllable in every word. Start with familiar discourse so that you get used to reading it aloud. Then, move on to something you've never read before to practice reading unexpected words.
- If you stumble while reading, don't worry. Just keep going.
- Read at a rhythm to include activities. Use the tune of a song or tap a beat while reading.
- Also use prolongation techniques when reading. Focus on reading as slowly and quietly as possible.
Step 9. Train with the phone
If you want to practice but aren't ready for face-to-face interaction, try doing it over the phone. Instead of texting, call your friends and chat. Use techniques such as prolongation when speaking to reduce stuttering.
You can also contact customer service (customer service). Instead of relying on email, call the customer service number for extra practice
Part 2 of 3: Public Speaking
Step 1. Admit your stuttering when talking to other people
People who stutter are often ashamed of their condition, and sometimes try to hide it. However, this will only add to the anxiety that actually makes the stuttering worse. Face your fears by telling your condition to the other person. This step will get rid of the anxiety and give you more control over the situation.
You can simply say, “Sorry, I will speak slowly. I am a stutterer.” Chances are, the other person will understand your condition
Step 2. Visualize and plan social interactions
While you're trying to deal with your stuttering, plan your social interactions. This will help get rid of nervousness when speaking in public, and will allow you to practice words and phrases before speaking.
- For example, if there is a work meeting tomorrow, study the agenda carefully. Anticipate what will be asked and plan your response. Study the responses well in advance. Having a list of responses related to the topics covered will help reduce your anxiety.
- Understand that social interactions can't always be planned. In this case, slow down and visualize the words before speaking to maintain calm.
- Remember, if you run into a block and start to stutter, simply admit your stuttering and ask for time to calm your mind.
Step 3. Avoid block words and triggers
During a practice session, you may identify certain block words and triggers that cause stuttering. With time and practice, you will be able to say the trigger word without stumbling. Until the time comes, try to avoid it in public situations to prevent stuttering.
List synonyms for trigger words. If a certain word triggers your stuttering, it is likely that several different words can be used for the same purpose. Use the thesaurus to find synonyms for trigger words. This helps you avoid them during the conversation without changing the meaning of the spoken sentence
Step 4. Maintain eye contact with the other person
When people stutter, people often avert eye contact with the other person. This stems from the anxiety associated with stuttering in public places. Even if you start to stutter, maintain eye contact. This gesture will make you appear more confident, build confidence, and reduce stuttering over time.
If you change eye contact, simply look back at the other person while trying to stop the stuttering
Step 5. Use hand gestures
Stuttering sometimes produces restless energy that the body doesn't know what to do with it. Making hand movements will channel this energy elsewhere. This can distract your brain from stuttering and help you speak more fluently.
This technique is very helpful especially when giving a presentation. When planning a speech, also prepare hand movements to help reduce stuttering. Mark in your script the parts of the speech that will be accompanied by hand gestures
Step 6. Start a conversation with just anyone
This is a good test to see how much progress you have made in your practice. Spontaneous conversations can't be planned so put all your practice together and speak as smoothly as possible.
- Start the conversation by introducing yourself and saying, “I have a stutter, and am trying to improve my speech.” I hope you find someone who is happy to help.
- For a quick and good exercise, you could try asking someone the way. Even if you already know the direction, this trick allows you to interact with someone without having a long chat.
Part 3 of 3: Getting Professional Help
Step 1. Consult a speech therapist if the stuttering does not subside
If you've been trying to reduce your stuttering for several months, and haven't made any significant progress, see a professional speech therapist. He will analyze your problem and suggest the best treatment.
- If you live in the United States and need help finding a speech therapist, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has a list that can help you. For more information, visit
- You can also call ASHA at 800-638-8255.
Step 2. Follow your therapist's guidance
Speech therapy requires a lot of practice outside of the clinic. The therapist will be able to recommend a series of exercises for you to do at home. Follow this program and do everything the therapist suggests.
Remember that speech therapy is a long process. You can work with a therapist for several months. Be patient and stay confident throughout the process
Step 3. Visit a stuttering support group
People with stuttering usually feel that they are the only ones experiencing this condition. In fact, an estimated 70 million people in the world stutter. There is an active community for people with stuttering who support each other, and joining this community can help you become more confident in dealing with your condition.
- If you live in the United States, the National Stuttering Association has support groups in many cities. To find groups in your city, visit
- In the United Kingdom, the British Stammering Association also maintains a support group for people with stuttering. For more information, visit
- In Indonesia and other countries, try to find a stuttering support group online and don't hesitate to ask for help.
