How to Talk to Siblings About Stuttering

Why Sibling Conversations Matter

A child’s stutter affects the whole family, and siblings often notice differences in communication without fully understanding them. How you talk to siblings about stuttering can shape both their relationship with their brother or sister and how the child who stutters sees themselves.

No matter if your children are toddlers, tweens, or teens, having open conversations helps nurture empathy, prevent teasing, and create a more supportive home. Talking about stuttering early—and often—makes a difference.

This blog offers age-appropriate ways to guide those conversations, build understanding, and strengthen sibling bonds.

“In many ways, parenting a child who stutters is not different from parenting a child who doesn’t stutter; it is about meeting each child's unique needs.” — Stacey Nierman, parent of a child who stutters

Start with a Clear Message

Before you adjust the conversation for your child’s age, one message applies across the board: Stuttering is okay. It is how some people talk and nothing to be ashamed of.

Children tend to follow the emotional lead of the adults around them. If you speak about stuttering with ease, acceptance, and warmth, siblings are more likely to do the same.

“Our first Annual Conference in Dallas had a deep impact on everyone in our family. Most importantly, my older two children learned about the challenges people who stutter face. They left the Conference with friends who stutter and an understanding that making fun of their brother's stutter was off limits. I would not have been able to teach them this as effectively as their peers did. As I've heard many times at NSA Conferences, the obstacle is the path and no one gets through life unscathed.” — Liz Gómez, parent of a child who stutters

Talking to Toddlers and Preschoolers

Young children may not have the words to describe stuttering, but they are observant. They may notice that their sibling talks differently and ask direct questions.

Here are some ways to respond:

“Yes, your brother sometimes takes longer to say his words. That is how he talks and it is okay. Please be patient and listen to him like anyone else.”
“Everyone talks differently. We all use our voices in different ways.”

At this age, it is helpful to model patience and full attention. Show your toddler that it is okay to wait, listen, and let their sibling finish speaking. Avoid making stuttering into something secret or “wrong.” Normalize it just like you would any other difference in the family.

Talking to Elementary-Age Kids

School-age children are developing empathy and reasoning. They may ask more complex questions, especially if they have noticed other kids reacting to their sibling’s speech. Your goal in these conversations is to give them information, encourage compassion, and remind them that their support matters.

Try these talking points:

“Stuttering is part of how your sister talks. It is not her fault and she is not doing anything wrong.”
“Sometimes talking can feel hard for her and it helps when people wait and listen.”
“You can show her you care by being patient and not interrupting.”

Let them know it is perfectly okay to ask questions. Give honest, age-appropriate answers without judgment or fear. If teasing comes up at home or school, use it as a learning opportunity to reinforce kindness and respect.

Talking to Tweens and Teens

Older siblings may feel unsure how to respond to stuttering in public or at school. They may even feel protective or frustrated. It is important to give them space to talk honestly, while continuing to reinforce your family’s values of acceptance and support.

Here are some ways to open the conversation:

“Have you noticed how your brother feels when he is talking and people interrupt him?”
“What do you think it is like for him when others laugh or rush him?”
“How do you think you can support him when you are together?”

At this age, you can also encourage siblings to be advocates when they feel ready. That might mean standing up to teasing, explaining stuttering to a friend, or just offering quiet support in everyday conversations.

Let them know it is not their job to fix or speak for their sibling, but that being a kind and supportive brother or sister makes a real difference.

What to Do When Questions or Conflicts Arise

Even in the most supportive homes, siblings may sometimes get frustrated, compete for attention, or accidentally say something hurtful. When this happens, try to respond with curiosity rather than correction.

For example:

“I noticed you were upset earlier. Can we talk about what was going on?”
“It seemed like your sister felt hurt when you said that. Let us think together about a better way to say it next time.”

Avoid framing stuttering as a burden. Instead, talk about how every family member has different strengths and needs. These conversations help build emotional intelligence and show your children how to navigate differences with compassion.

“One struggle we face is when our stuttering child starts talking to us when we are already doing something and aren’t entirely ready to listen. He gets frustrated with us because he thinks we aren’t listening due to his stutter. However, it’s because we were already talking to someone else or focused on a different task, such as working, doing household chores, or listening to something with our AirPods in. In these instances, we let him know it wasn’t his stutter that caused us not to hear, but we were in the middle of something. Then we will give him our attention to listen truly.” — Stacey Nierman

Let Your Child Who Stutters Take the Lead

Whenever possible, include your child who stutters in these conversations. Ask them how they want their siblings to respond when they are speaking. Give them space to share their feelings and experiences. Some children may want to explain stuttering in their own words. Others may prefer that parents do the talking. Respect their preferences and revisit the topic regularly as everyone grows and changes.

By including the child who stutters in sibling conversations, you give them ownership of their voice and show that their experience matters. Talking to siblings about stuttering is not a one-time conversation. It is an ongoing opportunity to build empathy, strengthen relationships, and create a family culture where every voice is valued.

“Being a parent to a child who stutters has forced us to slow down and focus our attention on being active listeners. We also model this for our non-stuttering children, specifically not interrupting or finishing sentences.” — Stacey Nierman

When parents normalize stuttering, respond with compassion, and guide conversations with honesty and care, siblings learn to do the same.

From the first words your children speak to the steps they take toward adulthood, what you say helps shape how they—and their siblings—understand what it means to stutter.

“A hard thing for parents to do is to pay equal attention to their kids, and it can be harder to do that if one needs more attention via therapies, etc., but you need to find ways to do so. One example is going to the NSA Conference. We go early to have a few days to vacation just as a family, then when the event starts, it’s more about Ethan, our son who stutters, and his friends. We think this helps prevent jealousy.” — Linda Twiss Gioscia, parent of a child who stutters

Learn More and Find Support

Looking for more ways to support your children? The National Stuttering Association (NSA) offers expert-backed resources, family-friendly programs, and a welcoming community of people who understand.

Explore parent and sibling support at WeStutter.org/parents and WeStutter.org/families.