commentr/StutterMarch 21, 2025

Content

It’s ok to feel what you’re feeling. I stutter during my presentations too. Something I began asking professors is if I could record my presentations instead of having to physically speak in front of the class. Some said no while others were open to the idea. I have an accommodation but it does not specifically indicate I have a stutter just that I need more time to present or take exams. Now, for some of my presentations, I use the choral effect. For each slide, I type what I’m going to say into a Word document and use the read aloud feature. Before I begin speaking, I’ll type something like GET. SET. GO… so my brain can process what I’m about to do. Next, with my headset plugged into the computer, I read along with the computer aided voice and record myself during each slide (lengthy process but my fluency is great). This allows me to hear a different voice, but with a slight shift in pitch, time delay, or a combination of the two. It works every time. I wish my brain could just function the way it does when I speak in unison with another voice but it does not. When I physically speak and present in front of the class I do disclose that I have a stutter so students are aware but most of the time they don’t care. It’s me that cares. 😔

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceCoping & AdvocacySchool & WorkSocial & Relationships

Subthemes

Avoidance & SubstitutionPreparation & RehearsalFluency TechniquesSchool & Academic LifeDisclosure & Telling Others