Changes in Views Over the Years
Hi, I am an SLP graduate student. I am currently working with some students in the public school setting. I wanted to know how has the view of stuttering changed over the years? For those who have been in school for years, how has stuttering been viewed/accepted in the different environments? (like resource classrooms, general education class, the speech therapy room, afterschool, etc.) I am curious to know who have you felt the most comfortable stuttering around & who has been the least comfortable to be around. I appreciate learning & reading y’all stories, it brings such great insight! – Jessica Frazier
Hi Jessica!
Thanks for the question.
I grew up in the 90s, so the view of stuttering — from my vantage point, at least — has changed tremendously.
Back then, there was nothing about accepting or embracing your stutter. In fact, there was very little, if any, positivity surrounding it. Instead, it was a “problem” and it needed to be “fixed”.
Don’t get me wrong — my SLPs were great but it was a sign of the times. That’s how I see it, at least.
I was fortunate that all of my teachers were patient and understanding, as were my circle of friends. Overall, though, I found there to be a fair bit of misunderstanding with stuttering. For example, people said, “Oh, I stutter too,” thinking it was nothing more than slipping up on a word here or there. Then, there was the negative portrayal of stuttering in TV and movies (Billy Madison and My Cousin Vinny come to mind) where stuttering was funny and those who do stutter lack intelligence.
I know other afflictions were made fun of, as well, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.
Long story short, it felt isolating.
I’ve only reconnected to stuttering and the stuttering community within the last 5-10 years, so I don’t know exactly when there was a shift in perspective but I am proud to see how many people from around the world working with stuttering, whether it’s through personal acceptance, collective awareness, or equipment/medication to help curb or control stuttering. Heck, there are now camps and groups for kids who stutter — something I really wish I had growing up.
There’s definitely still a ways to go but I’m happy to see how much things have progressed.
r
Hi Jessica
When I was a child I was bullied by students and teachers. I was told not to persue further studies as I wouldn’t get a job anyway. I got high grades for written exams, but low grades for oral exams, as i couldn’t get the words out and they though I hadn’t studied. When I told my teacher I was bullied she told me to just stop stuttering.
When I turned 30 and had become a public speaker, I decided to face my fears and go back to school, if only to ge tover my trauma from school. This time I had teachers who literally cheered for me. I planned for four courses. I did 10. And instead of barely getting my exam, I had straight A’s.
Now was this because I moved to another country? Maybe because many years had passed? I don’t think so. Because I’ve been speaking in many schools over the years, was a camp leader for stutter camps, and still hear similar stories of teachers not getting it. But the ones I had in my school for adults understood, lifted me up, and even gave me a job as a teacher myself, as they saw my potential.
There is a shift where stuttering is more known, more accepted, but it’s very slow. Many still say they don’t have students who stutter in school (4-7% of all children stutter). They say they already know stuttering (we let them sing…). Or they don’t have money (there’s free material). While instead they could learn how to help a CWS, and see them shine when they dare to show their full potential, knowing the teacher is there to help, educate the class and other school staffabout stuttering, friendship and acceptance of varieties, talk about the ISAD and Dec 3, the international disability awareness day and organise awareness activities, and most of all, to not allow bullying of any kind.
You also ask about resource classrooms, general education class, the speech therapy room, afterschool, etc. There were none then and not enough now in many schools, for reasons I just mentioned. But teachers who want to learn and want to listen are amazing. They help CWS to become the proud, skilled and confident adults we are inside.
And we would love to help! Come and speak in schools (often for free, in person or virtually), send free documentation and show other resources. Talk about children and youth camps, parent meetups, etc. We’re getting there. But I wish it would speed up a bit. 😉
Keep them talking
Anita