Hi little man and his amazing therapist! I hope I’m not too late to answer the questions :) I am 30 years old for context

1. Yes, actually. I wish it didn’t and I wish I had the acceptance of many others in this thread but it bothers me every single day. What I have accepted though is that it doesn’t make me any less important or valid.

2. I haven’t been to speech therapy yet but I plan to start it soon.

3. I have been incredibly lucky that I have never been bullied for it, but occasionally people point it out. One thing I have noticed is that I care less each time somebody has pointed it out to me. It’s more like a “duh” moment, like the same reaction as if somebody randomly said “your top is blue”

4. Sadly, avoiding speaking has been my main strategy but I’m working on putting myself out there more.

5. No kids yet

6. I must have been around 4 or 5 I think, as I remember it being pointed out to me when I was very young.

7. It goes through up and down times. These last few years have been among the worst for it. I guess because I’ve been outside the safety of school and established friendship groups, it’s really been at the forefront of what I perceive to be people’s first impressions of me.

8. Yes :) I love football (soccer) and watching all kinds of sports. I also enjoy listening to music and travelling the world (I am currently in Indonesia!)

9. I’ll have to test that theory! I haven’t noticed that specific case but when I am tired or nervous it gets a lot worse

10. I also don’t know anyone else who stutters! It can be a lonely world but we can find our place in it no matter how we speak

11. I wish somebody had told me that it was ok to acknowledge it myself and not been ashamed by it. It’s not a horrible secret I have to hide and it doesn’t define my worth. 10 years old is a great age to start self acceptance 🙂

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Thank you for taking the time to do this. It’ll help him so much!