Stammering & listener reactions

Monday 27th April 2026 - 14:25

A man talking, with a woman listening to him, looking at him intently with her head resting on both hands

(Image courtesy of SeventyFour via Canva)

What should you do if you meet someone who stammers?' A member of the STAMMA volunteer team addresses the issue.

Let's be frank, when we meet someone who stammers, it can be a bit awkward to know how to react.

Is it helpful to finish their sentences? Would a light joke help put things at ease? Should we mention it at all?

As someone who stammers, let me offer some thoughts here. (After all, if roles were reversed, I suspect I'd end up doing something unhelpful, despite good intentions.)

First, some quick facts. Stammering isn't caused by stress or nervousness; it's neurological. Often, it's variable, sometimes from day-to-day, or even sentence-to-sentence. There is no cure. And stammering tells us absolutely nothing about someone’s personality or abilities.

It’s just a stammer. It's the way some people talk.

So, here are some tips in case you find yourself wondering how to react:

Give the occasional nod to show you're listening.
Maintain natural eye contact — try not to look uncomfortable!
Best not to make a joke (believe me, we've all cringed at quips like "have you forgotten your name?")
Skip the well-meant advice, thank you (if "slow down" or "take a breath" helped, we'd have worked that out by now).
Let us finish our sentences, there's no need to guess at the intended word. Though if it feels appropriate, it's OK to offer a reassuring "Take as long as you need".

Like anyone else, people who stammer simply want to have conversations. Where listeners engage with the content, rather than how the words are spoken.

Yes, I stammer. It's no big deal for me — and hopefully it isn't for you, either.