Stuttering is often thought of as something children grow out of. Many do, yet plenty of adults keep stuttering right through their working lives.

For some people, it barely registers. For others, it shapes how they handle meetings, phone calls, job interviews and even ordering a coffee.

Perth Speech Therapy is a speech pathology practice with clinics in Alfred Cove and Subiaco that works with adults who stutter, as well as children. Its adult stuttering page explains that therapy looks at fluency and also at how stuttering affects a person’s confidence and day-to-day communication.

What stuttering looks like

Stuttering interrupts the flow of speech. It usually shows up in three main ways:

• Repetitions, such as “I-I-I want” or “ca-ca-can”.
• Prolongations, where a sound is stretched out, like “sssssee”.
• Blocks, where a word gets stuck and no sound comes out for a moment.

Some people also have secondary behaviours, such as eye blinking or body movements, as they push through a stuck word.

Healthdirect has a clear overview of stuttering, its likely causes and how speech pathology can help.

Why work can feel harder

Workplaces are full of speaking moments you can’t always plan for. A phone rings. Someone asks for a quick update in a meeting. You need to introduce yourself to a new client.

Many adults who stutter become very good at hiding it. They swap words, avoid the phone or stay quiet in meetings.

These tricks can work in the short term. Over time, though, they can be tiring and may hold people back from opportunities they would otherwise go for.

Stuttering has nothing to do with intelligence or ability. Many people who stutter do well in demanding careers, including ones that involve a lot of talking.

Practical tips for the workplace

These ideas won’t suit everyone. Try a few and keep the ones that help.

Slow the pace

Rushing tends to make stuttering worse for many people. Starting a little slower and keeping a steady rhythm can make speech feel more manageable.

Pausing is fine. A short pause before you answer often comes across as thoughtful.

Breathe before you start

Taking a gentle breath before speaking helps some people start more smoothly. Try to avoid gulping air or holding your breath, as both can add tension.

Prepare for predictable moments

You can’t plan every conversation, but you can prepare for some. If you have a presentation coming up, rehearse it out loud a few times rather than just reading over the slides.

For phone calls, jot down your main points before you dial. Having a simple structure in front of you can take some pressure off.

Consider telling people

Some adults find it helps to mention their stutter early, perhaps in a team meeting or at the start of a job interview. A simple line such as “I stutter, so sometimes I need a moment to get the words out” can ease tension on both sides.

This is a personal choice. There’s no right or wrong answer, and you can change your mind at any time.

Ask for reasonable adjustments

Some workplaces will make small changes if you ask. That might mean using email or chat for some updates, getting meeting agendas ahead of time or having a little extra time in presentations.

Your manager or HR team may not know what would help unless you tell them. A short, calm conversation is usually enough to get started.

Handling job interviews

Interviews can be one of the most stressful speaking situations for adults who stutter. Preparation helps a lot.

Practise answers to common questions out loud with a friend or family member. Focus on getting your main points across rather than saying every answer perfectly.

If you decide to mention your stutter, doing it early can take the pressure off for the rest of the interview. Some people also mention the strengths it has given them, such as patience or good listening.

Video interviews are now common. Make sure your camera and microphone work well before the call, so technical problems don’t add to the stress.

Tips for colleagues and managers

If you work with someone who stutters, a few small things help. Keep natural eye contact and wait for them to finish.

Try not to finish their words or tell them to “slow down” or “relax”. Most people who stutter have heard that advice many times, and it rarely helps in the moment.

How speech pathologists help adults who stutter

Adult stuttering therapy often starts with an assessment. A speech pathologist looks at the stutter itself and at how it affects confidence, anxiety and communication in different settings.

The main approach Perth Speech Therapy lists for adults is the Camperdown Program, an evidence-based program recommended for people over 12. It teaches a smooth, slow, rhythmic way of speaking, then gradually builds speaking rate as the person becomes more comfortable.

Other techniques may include syllable-timed speech, where you speak in rhythm with a beat, and pausing or breathing before speaking. If anxiety is having a big effect on someone’s life, a speech pathologist may also suggest seeing a psychologist.

Practise outside the therapy room

Like any skill, new speech techniques take practice. Most people start in easy situations, such as chatting with a partner or a close friend, then work up to harder ones.

Over time, practice can move into the workplace. A phone call to a colleague you trust might come before a call to a new client.

Keeping a simple record of what went well can help. It is easy to remember the tough moments and forget the good ones.

Look after your confidence

Stuttering often comes with a lot of feelings. Frustration, embarrassment and worry about how others will react are all common.

Talking to other adults who stutter can help. So can reminding yourself that what you have to say matters more than how smoothly you say it.

Where to start

If stuttering is holding you back at work, a few small changes might help straight away. Slow your pace, prepare for predictable moments and think about whether you’d like to tell your team.

If you’d like more support, talk to a speech pathologist about an assessment. Many offer telehealth, which can make it easier to fit sessions around a working week.