When They’re No Longer Kids: Parenting a Young Adult Who Stutters

When your child was younger, you may have been right by their side for speech therapy appointments, IEP meetings, or those emotional moments after a class presentation. You were the advocate, the scheduler, the emotional lifeline. But what happens when your child turns 18 and the world expects them to do it all alone?

For parents of older teens and young adults who stutter, the transition to adulthood can feel like uncharted territory. You’re still their parent. You still care deeply. But the support they need now might look different than it did before. And that can be a little scary for both of you.

Do I Still Have a Role as a Parent of a Young Adult Who Stutters?

Yes. Absolutely.

Even as your child steps into adulthood, your presence still matters. You might not be scheduling their sessions anymore, but your belief in them, your unshaken, unconditional belief, can be a powerful anchor.

“We had to learn to respect him when he said he was ‘fine,’ or his speech was ‘OK.’ I would tell parents to give their child space, because all kids need to adjust to taking care of themselves more as they get older, whether they stutter or not.” – Mike Gioscia, Parent of a young adult who stutters

That said, the way you show up might need to shift. Think of your role evolving from “protector” to “partner.” From “manager” to “mentor.” Your child may now be navigating new spaces (college, the workplace, relationships) where stuttering carries different kinds of weight.

You don’t have to have all the answers. But listening without trying to fix and being a safe space for processing is the answer more often than not.

Parenting a Young Adult Who Stutters: What to Remember as They Grow

1. They may still be unpacking old experiences.

Your child might still be carrying moments of teasing, shame, or feeling different. These things don’t magically disappear at 18. Be open to talking about their past, even if it’s painful. Your validation means more than you know.

2. Let Your Young Adult Who Stutters Take the Lead in Communication

Some young adults are outspoken about their stutter. Others are still figuring it out. Follow their lead.

Ask questions like:

• “How do you want to handle this?” 

• “Do you want to talk through how to bring it up in interviews or not at all?” 

• “What kind of support feels helpful to you right now?”

“Communication is the key. Does your child want to talk about their stutter? Would they like their home/family time to be a place where there’s no emphasis on their speech? Ask them. They are getting older—listen to them.” – Mike Gioscia, Parent of a young adult who stutters

3. Don’t push fluency, embrace autonomy.

By now, your child probably knows whether fluency is a priority for them or not. Some may still want to explore strategies, while others are focusing on acceptance. Support their goals, not your assumptions.

“Now we don’t focus on that. We focus on SHH—safe, happy, and healthy.” – Linda Gioscia, Parent of a college student

4. Celebrate progress that isn’t about speech.

There’s so much more to your child than how they speak. Celebrate their courage. Their resilience. Their creativity. Their sense of humor. Remind them (and yourself) that stuttering doesn’t define their worth.

“Last year, his blocking got really extreme. We said to him, ‘We don’t care that you are stuttering, but we are worried if there is some stress causing it. Is everything okay? How can we help?’ This way, the stutter doesn’t become the focus—his mental health does.” – Linda Gioscia, Parent of a college student

Next Steps in Parenting a Young Adult Who Stutters

Encourage Connection

Gently suggest they explore adult NSA chapters or attend virtual hangouts. These spaces can provide community and understanding—just be mindful not to push.

“The NSA has made all of our lives better since we started going six years ago. We learned that you can’t always ‘cure’ stuttering... and now we focus on what really matters.” – Linda Gioscia, Parent of a young adult who stutters

Stay Curious

Continue learning about modern perspectives on stuttering, especially those shared directly by people who stutter. It shows your commitment to understanding their lived experience.

“I can't emphasize this enough—I think all speech therapists and doctors should be required to prescribe going to an NSA event. It’s that life-changing.” – Linda Gioscia, Parent

Be Their Soft Place to Land

No matter how independent they become, your encouragement matters. Everyone benefits from knowing there's someone in their corner who says, “You’re doing great, just as you are.”

“Advice for college-bound kids' parents: Encourage them to find a club or group to connect with. Making friends can be hard these days, even for non-stutterers. Support them in taking those steps.” – Linda Gioscia, Parent

Kat Poprocki and Her Mother

When your child becomes a young adult, your role shifts from guiding every step to offering support from the sidelines, but it never disappears. You remain their advocate, cheerleader, and safe harbor through every challenge.

Parenting doesn’t end at 18. It evolves. Your young adult might not need you to advocate for them in the same way, but they still need you. They need your understanding, your encouragement, and most of all, your belief that stuttering doesn’t limit their future.

“Let go of any guilt! All you can do is go from here. The resources and connections at the NSA will help with all of that.” – Linda Gioscia, Parent

Disclaimer: This article was originally generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) and has been thoughtfully revised and refined by individuals who stutter (PWS) and their families.