5 ways to help children who stutter enjoy Halloween

Contact: Greg Wilson | gregwilsonpr@gmail.com | 571-239-7474

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Oct. 6, 2026) — As children rehearse “trick or treat,” the adults handing out candy may need a little preparation of their own. This Halloween, the Stuttering Foundation encourages speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to help families, schools and neighborhood event organizers turn it into an educational event for children who stutter—at the front door, in the classroom and along the trunk-or-treat line.

A pause before a greeting can be mistaken for shyness or a forgotten line. An eager adult may finish a child’s words or ask for another try before offering candy. SLPs can use the weeks before October 31 to help listeners understand how to respond to kids.

The Foundation suggests five ways SLPs can help:

  1. Start with the child’s plans. Ask what they are looking forward to and whether any part of Halloween feels difficult. Let their answers guide preparation. Some children will want to talk through a situation; others may feel ready to go.
  2. Rehearse the listener’s part. If a child wants to role-play, have the adult practice waiting without finishing words or telling a child to slow down. Keep the activity playful and follow the child’s lead.
  3. Reach the people handing out candy. Share a brief reminder through a PTA, school newsletter or event organizer: allow time, listen naturally and offer the same welcome whether a child speaks easily, stutters or chooses a wave. 
  4. Let the child choose support. Talk about whether they would like a companion nearby or help explaining their costume.
  5. Ask about the experience afterward. Try asking: “I wonder if it was fun?” This approach relieves time pressure while offering the child a chance to share their experience.

The Foundation also offers printable Halloween stickers formatted for Avery labels on its Halloween webpage. 

Children who want to let others know they stutter can choose a sticker to wear or place on a treat bag. The stickers can help start a conversation and remind adults to give children time to speak, without asking children to explain stuttering at every door or trunk-or-treat stop. SLPs can share the designs with families and let each child decide whether using one would be helpful.

“We want children to come home talking about their costumes, their friends and their favorite candy,” Fraser said. “The adults around them can help make that happen by giving them time and welcoming what they have to say.”

SLPs can share the Foundation’s free 6 Tips for Speaking With Someone Who Stutters and find additional materials for families and educators at StutteringHelp.org/resources.

About the Stuttering Foundation

Malcolm Fraser, a successful businessman who struggled with stuttering, established the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation in 1947 and endowed it throughout his lifetime. The Foundation provides free online resources at StutteringHelp.org for people who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering.