I participated in a great conversation this week about ways to build confidence if you stutter. During a Stutter Social chat, a young person asked how some of us more “seasoned stutterers” deal with the anxiety of stuttering in certain speaking situations.

Some people shared their experiences from speech therapy, some shared from their perspective on acceptance and two of us talked a little about Toastmasters.

The following are some of the ideas that we shared about building confidence. Maybe you’ve tried some of them. Maybe you’ve got a suggestion to add.

• Don’t obsess or rehearse before hand. That increases anxiety and decreases spontaneous conversation.
• Consider advertising and letting listeners know that you are a person who stutters.
• Try using voluntary stuttering to help you gain some control during the speaking situation.
• Seize opportunities to speak, such as Toastmasters clubs or other speaking forums. Practice helps reduce anxiety and build confidence.
• Remind yourself that you have as much right to be in that speaking situation as the next person, that your voice deserves to be heard.
• If someone interrupts you, calmly let them know you’re not finished speaking yet and then proceed to complete your thoughts, no matter how long it takes.

What do you think? Do you have anything to add?