Accurate Support
Hi, I’m Chelsey, a graduate student in Speech-Language Pathology. I’m working with a 2nd-grade child who has a fluent stutter, meaning it doesn’t seem to bother her much in her day-to-day life. However, I have some concerns that she may not be getting the support she needs at home. Since I don’t have access to speak with her parents and learn more about her stuttering journey, I’d love to know from your perspective as someone who stutters—what kind of support do you think is most helpful for a child in her situation? What made a difference for you growing up, and what do you think would have helped you the most at that age? -Chelsey ☺️
Great question Chelsey.
I’ve spoken a lot in schools and it’s not always easy to make teachers, or parents, understand what stuttering is, what it’s like to stutter, and how they can make talking easier. I’ve had teachers who denied the child was stuttering and did nothing to make school easier with frustrated parents, I’ve met parents who were in denial and teachers felt so helpless.
I love the term “fluent stutter”, as in stuttering, but not being bothered. I guess I’m a fluent stutterer as well. 😉 I wasn’t supported at home either, as stuttering was seen as shameful, something that was my fault, I should fix it, or hide it and simply not talk. That turns stuttering into so much more than the speech impediment it is from the start, and adds so much luggage to it! As an adult, I found a note from school to my parents I needed to see an SLP. But somehow their (!) shame was too high to take me there.
Parents should be the first to learn about stuttering. And those who accept the child just the way it is. Is there a way to reach them, maybe not as an SLP, but as a friend to the child? Is it money, culture, religion, denial? If you can’t reach them, try to reach the teachers and ask them. But most of all, try to reach the child. Step out of your role as an SLP for a moment, and just be a friend. Show you care. Show you want to understand. As you might know therapy, but every single client is a new book you need to take time to read. Once you have gained trust and get to know the child better, you can go from there.
What’s best for the child is your focus. Meet her where SHE is and what SHE wants and needs. Does the child want/need therapy or not? Does the school need information on stuttering? Through material, through you, or maybe through another PWS who can come to the school and talk to the teachers, students and maybe even parents? I don’t know the age of the child, but there are many fantastic stutter camps, where the child meets other kids who stutter, and, together with adults who stutter, can be themselves and simply have fun! Some camps also invite parents and teach them about stuttering, the child’s rights, and how they can make the speaking situations at home easier.
But the best thing you can do, if nothing else works, is to let her know you ackowledge her. You’re there for her. You understand and see there’s something going on. And that she can talk to you. To not feel happy and noone pays attention can have consequences, if not now, then later. And for you to ask this makes me happy, as it shows what a wonderful person and SLP you are. If you want to contact me, you’re welcome to do so at scatsis@gmail.com as kids who stutter are my no 1 priority. <3
Keep them talking
Anita