Changing Attitudes in Children and Teens who Stutter

“Changing Attitudes in Children and Teens who Stutter” by Diane Games

I chose to read an article about changing the attitudes of those who stutter. With in the field of stutter is an area of concern that continues to grow. Many children and teens who stutter have been discouraged by comments from their peers. Often when they experience difficulty communicating this helps contribute to the negative attitudes. No two clients move through the process the same way, but several types of treatment activities appear to help facilitate attitude change. Five of these activities were discussed in this article.

1. Learn the vocabulary to describe stuttering
2. Learn to analyze and problem solve approaches to various speaking situations, ie. what happens during these difficult speaking situations.
3. Understand the impact of negative thinking on attitudes while speaking in different situations and transfer negative thoughts into positive ones
4. Tell your story
5. Meet other people who stutter

This article talks about using these techniques and creating a powerpoint presentation to describe and talk about their stutter. Using these powerpoints to then share with other people who stutter, their family and even their friends has been found helpful to everyone involved.

I asked the author: “I found your article both interesting and informative. I found, as a Speech language pathologist, your ideas for ways to help children not only realize and express their attitudes/feelings about stuttering were not only helpful, but also easy enough to put into therapy sessions, as I have not yet worked with a person who stutters. I am wondering at what age you suggest these techniques would work? and do you think sharing the information the child develops with his or her guardians may also be helpful to everyone involved (with the child's consent of course). Thank you for you time :)”

And receive the answer back: “Thanks for the great questions...however,every client is an individual. I try to listen to what the kids are telling me about their speech and also what the parents are saying. The general edcuation about talking/stuttering often starts the diaglogue. My students are used to sharing ppts with other students...this is also a learning component. As for the age, it really depends on the child...and I do share these ppts with parents as part of the education process. I have never had a student refuse to share..in fact, students feel empowered to give add ideas and comments, to alter the slides and to update their thoughts/information. Good luck...:)”

I found this article very helpful and full of wonderful ideas that can be easily implemented into therapy.