STUTTERING INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS

What is stuttering?

Stuttering is a speech disorder in which the ow of speech is involuntarily disrupted. It may involve repetitions of sounds or words, prolongations of sounds, hesitations or blocks, as well as interjections such as um and well. Stuttering is not a word nding problem. People who stutter know what they want to say, they just have difculty producing the words. While the causes of stuttering are still unknown, experts believe that it is caused by a combination of neurological and physiological factors. Stuttering can be developmental (beginning in childhood) or acquired (as the result of an injury).

Stuttering does not indicate a lack of competence or intelligence

Many famous and successful people also stutter. Among these include: Actors and reporters: James Earl Jones, Harvey Keitel, John Stossel, and Bruce Willis, Political gures: Former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, VA Congressman Frank Wolf Businessmen: Henry Luce (founder of Time and Sports Illustrated magazine) and former chairman of GE John F. Welch, Jr. Given a chance, people who stutter can achieve amazing things!

Stuttering is variable

The severity of stuttering by an individual can vary widely depending upon a number of factors. Speaking in certain situations and to certain people, such as authority gures, may result in more severe stuttering than in other situations. Other factors that may contribute to stuttering are fatigue, stress, time pressure, and feeling a need to try to hide stuttering from others. According to the National Stuttering Association, a job interview may be the single most difcult speaking situation a stutterer will ever encounter. Stuttering is likely to be at its worst. Therefore, the degree of stuttering at the interview should not be used to predict how the person will actually speak on the job.

AD D I T IO N AL RE S OU RC E S

Communicating with a person who stutters

One of the most important things to helping someone who stutters communicate more effectively is to be a good listener. Speak normally and maintain natural eye contact. Stuttering is nothing to be ashamed of and shouldnt be treated as such.

American Speech-Language Hearing Association: www.asha.org/public/speech/ disorders/stuttering/ National Stuttering Association: www.westutter.org Stuttering Foundation of America: www.stutteringhelp.org

Be a good listener. Dont interrupt or try to complete the persons sentences. Dont equate hesitancy with uncertainty. Focus on the content of what the person is saying instead of how the message is delivered. Dont hurry the person or tell them to slow down. Chances are, they have their own way of dealing with their disuency and may take these comments as signs of impatience.

Stuttering should not be a barrier for employment

Oral uency is only one part of oral communication. While this particular aspect may be a challenge for people who stutter, they may still be excellent communicators and excel in other valuable aspects of communication such as having good listening skills, patience and diplomacy, and the ability to empathize with others. Disqualifying potential employees because of a uency disorder not only deprives employers of otherwise very qualied employees, but also perpetuates the stereotypes and prejudices that people who stutter encounter on a daily basis. Also, given that stuttering is a speech disorder, it is covered under the ADA and other state and federal disability protections.