International Stammering Awareness Day to challenge misconceptions around communication

Health and care organisations are being encouraged to consider how they support people who stammer as International Stammering Awareness Day is marked on 22 October 2026.

The annual awareness day brings together stammering associations, individuals and groups around the world to increase understanding of stammering, challenge misconceptions and give people who stammer a stronger voice.

Stammering, also known as stuttering, affects the flow of speech and can involve repetitions, prolonging sounds or periods where a person knows exactly what they want to say but experiences difficulty getting the words out.

For health and social care professionals, awareness is particularly important because communication is central to almost every interaction with patients and people receiving support.

Appointments and assessments can already be stressful, and being rushed, interrupted or having someone attempt to finish a sentence can make communication more difficult for a person who stammers.

Allowing someone the time they need to speak, maintaining natural eye contact and listening to what they are saying rather than how they are saying it can help create a more comfortable and inclusive environment.

The awareness day is also an opportunity to challenge assumptions about stammering. A stammer is not an indication of someone’s intelligence, knowledge or ability, and people should not be overlooked or underestimated because of the way they communicate.

These principles matter within the workforce too. Health and care employers can use the day to consider whether recruitment processes, meetings, presentations and everyday workplace practices allow colleagues who stammer to participate without unnecessary pressure or judgement.

For professionals working in speech and language therapy, the day also provides an opportunity to highlight the specialist support available to children and adults and the importance of approaches centred around the needs and experiences of each individual.

International Stammering Awareness Day takes place on 22 October 2026, encouraging people around the world to listen differently, challenge stereotypes and create environments where everyone has the time and space to communicate.

Find out more about International Stammering Awareness Day

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