i have a friend that stutters very very badly.?

Question

while having a conversation, what do i do or look at while she is desperatly trying to finish the sentence. Do i look at her....or look away....this is making me so uncomfortable that i find myself avoiding talking to her.

Answer 1

Those who stutter have different opinions of how they would like people to react, but most of them do NOT want you to finish sentences for them. You should be patient and look at them just like you would anyone. One thing that seems to help those who stutter is for the other person to slow down their rate of speech and to be relaxed themselves. Check out the brochure "how to react to someone who stutters" on the web site for The Stuttering Foundation at www.stutteringhelp.org. You might even share that web site with your friend. Their book "Self Therapy for the Stutterer" was what helped my relatives overcome stuttering along with determination and practice.

Answer 2

Just be calm and have eye contact with her. Don't let the stutter make you uncomfortable, it may make her stuttering get worse as she is trying to get it out. You could periodically focus in on something else, you know, as a focal point to really think about what she is saying. People often do that. It seems natural to me.

Answer 3

I would do whatever you would normally do when listening to someone else during a conversation. Most of the time, people look away when they are speaking and look at the person when they are listening. So I'd say keep looking at her and just wait for her to get the words out. I hope she'll appreciate your patience.

Answer 4

An aside, most stutters do not stutter when they are singing, Have her sing to you.

Answer 5

If she's your friend, it shouldn't bother you at all, just let her take her time and talk to you.