The person who communicates differently still deserves time to finish the thought.

Speech that comes slowly, or in an unfamiliar order, or through a device still has a whole thought behind it. Finishing someone’s sentence usually feels like help to the person doing it and like interruption to the person being helped. What gets lost is not only the words but the small dignity of saying your own thing in your own time.

When you notice yourself supplying the next word, close your mouth and count silently instead. Let the pause run longer than is comfortable for you. Ask, rather than assume, whether help is wanted, and take the answer at face value.