It's Tough for Teens

The teenage years are difficult for everyone, especially for teens who stutter. You're starting to want to do things independently. You are exploring your own ideas and want to have more of a say in a range of issues. This time sees you starting high school, making new friends, going out with friends, talking with members of the opposite sex – having your first boyfriend or girlfriend. You also have to deal with peer pressure in trying to keep up with the changing fashion and music trends, and maybe even starting part time work.

"The teenage years are difficult for everyone, especially for teens who stutter."

Set against this background of changes and development in a teenager's life, are the difficulties of a teenager who stutters. Stuttering at any stage of life is difficult, but stuttering can be especially difficult during the teenage years, as it tends to involve more than just speech nonfluencies.

"Stuttering at any stage of life is difficult, but stuttering can be especially difficult during the teenage years."

If you stutter, you may feel self-conscious, nervous, anxious or embarrassed about your speech. You may try to hide your stuttering by avoiding certain speaking situations – such as giving a presentation, reading aloud in class, or talking on the phone. Research shows over 82% of school children who stutter are teased and bullied because they stutter. All of these feelings may limit your ability to fully enjoy your teenage years.

"Over 82% of school children

who stutter are teased and bullied because they stutter."

It is important to remember that there is help available. Contact your nearest Speech Pathologist for advice and treatment options. You can check out treatment options on this site and treatment contacts in Australia.

"There is help available."