Stuttering at School
My name is Macie, and I am a second-year SLP graduate student at Stephen F. Austin State University. I also work as an SLP-assistant at my local school district. One of the goals we target with our students who stutter is self-advocacy. How can I better equip my students to advocate for themselves at school and in the “real world?”
Hi Macie!
One of the best ways to self-advocate is disclosing. Telling someone that you have a stutter helps to eliminate the stigma around stuttering and lets the other person have a better understanding to the way we speak. I have had many conversations with people where they looked very confused while I was in the middle of a block, and after letting them know that it is a stutter there is less confusion between myself and that person. I also find that it takes pressure off my back to disclose as I do not have to guess what they are thinking of the way I speak. I now look at this as a way of spreading awareness as well. It shows a lot of confidence to be open about it and can lead to very meaningful conversations.
Matt
Hi Macie,
Thank you for this important question.
I would say, create opportunities for them to use their voices in low-stakes settings first, building confidence gradually. When students see stuttering as just one part of who they are rather than something to hide, they become powerful advocates for themselves.
Your dual role as a student and practitioner gives you unique insight into bridging theory and practice. Keep asking these questions! Best, Gina
Thank you for your great question, Macie.
Self-advocacy is fantastic, as it helps to get the elephant out of the room. It helps me to no longer hide my stutter, and it helps the listener to understand and to learn how to interact (and how not).
But it’s not that easy and not for everyone. It’s also different depending on the age of the students.
Celebrating the ISAD and also the International Day of People with Disabilities on Dec 3, and including stuttering, is a way to “normalise” stuttering. Bringing a person who stutters to the school who talks about him/herself, life, school, and give advice to teachers and students.
But do realize stuttering is not just a neurological issue that can create physical outcomes, but because of shame, fear, bullying, being told to be “cured” or to be silent, adds a shipload of mental health issues as well. Many turned covert or rather stay silent to stay under the radar. Others simply aren’t extrovert. Not everyone wants to talk about their cancer, others are hiding their hearing aid. And that’s fine too. In these cases, ask the student if it’s OK if you, or a guest talks about stuttering to the class, workplace, or in social environments.
You can also show them the way to support groups, camps, chat groups, etc, where they can find peers who’ve walked the walk, and can empower the student to make baby steps. I’ve hosted stutter camps for YPWS for many years, and see the change many make after one week with peers and adult PWS once were in their shoes. These camps are life changing!
So my advice is to speak to the student and see where you can help, as once people understand it’s such a win-win.
I also gave some advice in my paper in this conference, so feel free to have a read. 🙂
Keep them talking
Anita