How can you combat the social fears associated with stuttering? Three strategies for parents to think about

The psychological fear generated by stuttering can manifest itself directly as social fear. This internal pressure does not develop over a short period of time; on the one hand, there are shadows from the past, such as the negative effects of stuttering in childhood, being teased, isolated, imitated, etc. On the other hand it comes from the pressure of the present. For example, the fear of greeting leaders or strangers when meeting them, the fear of speaking up and expressing oneself in unfamiliar situations, etc.

Where does the fear of stuttering come from?

I have asked many adults who stutter to tell me that they have very strong memories of their past stuttering experiences, and that images from more than ten years ago are still stored in their brains. Until now, they are still not mentally prepared to “accept” the stuttering problem. Why is it that after so many years of stammering you are still unable to reconcile? For example, if you are bullied by someone, it may fade away after a week, the trauma is only temporary and soon the hurdle is over. But stuttering is always there, following you around like a shadow, and it doesn’t go away naturally just because you shut up and don’t talk. So the psychological fear of stammering is always superimposed, without leaving you with a psychological cushion.

Why does stammering create social fear?

As a stutterer, do you recall experiencing this as a child? When you went out with your parents and met someone you knew, you didn’t want to talk, you seemed rude, and your parents were particularly “nice” because you didn’t behave well, and they even accused you in front of outsiders, how did this change your mind? I’m sure it’s like a boiling cauldron that you want to hide in, but are afraid of being cooked. At this time, you must have a very low opinion of yourself, and most importantly, you are afraid to look up or look directly into the eyes of the other person, because you dare not look at them, but can only look down and use your afterglow. Sadly, it is this action that betrays you, you already have a clear [social fear].

The fear of seeing someone you know and not being able to forget the other person’s eyes and tone of voice indicates a shadow in the mind. Many people with social fears show this, they don’t necessarily stutter, it can be caused by other problems. But eventually different paths become the same type of person.

Children who stutter around the age of 8 years old bring with them a bad psychological cycle because of their stuttering disorder. That is the experience of not feeling good enough, of being afraid that people won’t like them → being nervous about controlling themselves → focusing on control → not being able to focus on doing their own thing → being less adaptable → and finally getting more and more psychological stress.

The effect of stuttering fear on children.

But why is it that some children who stutter grow up with a strong inner self, always optimistic and never hurt by stuttering as much?

Social fear never fails to bully the weak at heart, the wrong way of thinking inhibits inner strength, and those children who stutter who have been brought up with strict parents unfortunately hit the mark. This never crosses the parents’ minds when they boast in front of their children that other people’s children do not stutter. The damage caused by contrast will continue to escape their own children over time, leaving less and less room for mental growth.

Three strategies for parents to bookmark.

How can you build a strong psyche in your child who stutters from an early age? Sunshine Language teachers share three strategies.

1. For stuttering intervention, parents should never have a perfectionist notion that not a single word is allowed to be said incorrectly and that no one is allowed to get stuck, which is easy to say but actually very difficult for anyone to accomplish.

Reconciliation of stammering starts with the parents. If you don’t pick on your child through coloured glasses, then your child will not pick on themselves. If you look at stammering optimistically, then your child will not be asking for trouble and will be optimistic about it.

Stammering is not a personality flaw and has nothing to do with quality. Don’t let this put your child down and don’t pay special attention to what other people think of your child, as external comments are biased and are a source of anxiety for parents.

The vast majority of stuttering may affect expression, but it does not cause communication problems. If you figure that out, then what is social fear?