On episode 135 of the Every Brain is Different podcast, Lauren and I sat down with author and music journalist Jason Heffler, whose children’s book Tongue Tied helps kids who stutter find courage and connection through stories that reflect their experiences. Drawing from his own childhood, Jason shared insights and strategies parents can use to support kids who stutter, helping them move from shame to self-confidence.

Here are tips from Jason on how to help your child who stutters:

1. Focus on Effort, Not Fluency

One of Jason’s most recommended strategies for parents is to praise effort over fluency. Kids who stutter often have a confident voice inside them that feels “stuck.” When parents focus on what their child is saying, rather than how it comes out, they teach them that their voice matters, no matter how it sounds.

Try phrases like:

• “I love what you shared with me.”
  

• “You worked hard to get that out. Thank you for telling me.”
  

Resist the urge to finish their sentences or correct their words. The goal is to help them feel safe, unhurried, and valued, even when speech feels slow or fragmented.

2. Reframe the Experience

Jason encourages parents to use cognitive reframing to help kids process emotions and see challenges differently. Instead of focusing on speech as a problem to fix, shift the conversation toward feelings and resilience.

For example:

• “How do you think that character felt when they got stuck?”
  

• “What helped them feel brave?”
  

This technique helps children see that stuttering isn’t a barrier. It’s a challenge they can navigate. Over time, this builds emotional awareness and self-confidence, turning frustration into growth.

3. Mirror Practice and Self-Awareness

Jason also shared a practical tip that helped him personally: talking in front of a mirror. Many people who stutter develop small “ticks” or movements that help them push through words—like tapping a foot or blinking. Seeing these behaviors in the mirror helps kids become more aware of them, which can reduce anxiety and increase control.

This exercise isn’t about eliminating stuttering; it’s about fostering self-awareness and empowerment.

4. Use Music as a Communication Tool

As a former DJ and current music journalist, Jason shared how music became his voice. When he performed, his stutter disappeared. For some children, music, rhythm, or singing can be a powerful way to express themselves when speaking feels hard.

Parents can encourage music-based expression through:

• Singing familiar songs together
  

• Using rhythm or beats in speech practice
  

• Exploring music therapy to build communication skills and confidence
  

Music provides a bridge between what a child feels and what they want to say.

5. Model Acceptance and Patience

Kids take cues from how their parents respond to challenges. Jason shared that patience is one of the most healing tools a parent can offer. When you stay calm, listen fully, and respond with curiosity instead of correction, your child learns that their voice, exactly as it is, is enough.

As Jason said, “Instead of chasing a cure, it’s liberating to embrace the truth that your voice, exactly as it is, can carry you through a life filled with all the same possibilities as others.”

6. Acknowledge, Don’t Hide

One of the biggest turning points in Jason’s story was when he stopped hiding his stutter. After years of rejection in job interviews, he decided to acknowledge it openly. The result was that he was hired.

He tells kids and parents to practice acknowledgment early. Saying “I have a stutter, it’s part of who I am” takes away shame and helps them find friends and communities who value authenticity.

7. Encourage Empathy in the Face of Bullying

Bullying is a painful reality for many children who stutter. Jason’s advice is to teach empathy first. Most cruelty, he explained, comes from ignorance, not malice. Help your child understand that sometimes bullies are acting from their own pain.

Encourage your child to walk away when possible and to stand up for themselves if they’re in danger.

Above all, remind them that their worth is not defined by how others see them.

8. Surround Them With Representation

Representation matters. Jason wrote Tongue Tied because he didn’t have books or role models who stuttered when he was young. Finding stories, movies, or public figures who stutter can help kids see that they’re not alone, and that their voice matters in the world.

Stuttering is not something that needs to be “fixed.” It’s a part of how some brains and bodies communicate. With empathy, patience, and encouragement, parents can help their children embrace their voices and express themselves with confidence.

As Jason said, “It gets better. You’ll find your people. And you’ll find your voice.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Tongue Tied by Jason Heffler (available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble)
  

• The Stuttering Foundation: resources, support, and community for families and professionals
  

Listen to Jason’s full interview on episode 135 of the Every Brain is Different podcast.