1% of the adult population stammer to some degree

60% of people who stammer said interviews would have been easier if employers knew about stammering

80% of people who stammer said stammering affected their self-confidence at work

62% said more awareness of stammering in the workplace could have reduced the effect of their stammering

(Source: BSA membership survey, 1999)

Stammering:

Each person is affected differently

It does not result from a personality or intellectual disorder

Stammering can cause people to be nervous about speaking, but is not caused by being nervous or uncertain

People who stammer may face discrimination because of:

Misconceptions about the effects of stammering

Negative attitudes about stammering

People who stammer may work beneath their potential because of:

Failure to contribute due to a fear of speaking and stammering in groups
Avoidance of giving presentations
Lack of understanding of their stammering problem by managers, colleagues and training course leaders

Employers can help a person who stammers achieve their potential by:

Listening attentively and waiting for the person to finish, without finishing their words or sentences
Asking the person about how best to respond when they stammer if it seems appropriate
Sponsoring an employee on a speech or personal development course as part of their training
Including goals for important communication skills in personal development plans. Agree on tasks that can be monitored, such as talking at meetings, greeting clients and company visitors, and giving external presentations

Contact: Andrew Harding Tel: 020 8983 1003