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From: Prakhar Sachan
Date: 17 Oct 2006
Time: 08:50:51 -0500
Remote Name: 202.141.136.155
Hi Britt, You ask: >>”I was wondering what your advice to a child/adolescence in your same shoes would be regarding teasing, etc.?”<< I'm no expert on this, but I think advice to a child is completely different from that to adults. Because, a child's self-esteem is very fragile. They derive their sense of self-worth from external factors. As such, support from parents, siblings, SLP, friends etc is critical. More than anything else, the child's parents should play a very pro-active role. They should encourage the child to talk about stuttering, teasing incidents etc. But, a fine line should be drawn over here, so that they don't come across as forcing. Else, that might make the child to withdraw into his shell further. Furthermore, at no point should a child be made to feel “different” because of his/her stutter. Speech should always be viewed and talked about in an objective manner. Adding humor always helps! I also think the parents and the child's SLP should work as a team. Meetings could be arranged with the teachers to educate them on stuttering, and how to deal with it. All in all the child should find himself/herself in a supportive atmosphere – whether at school, or at home. In this way, he/she would become more grounded, and would always have something to fall back on (supportive parents, siblings, SLP etc) when teased, or bullied. In analogical terms, it's like comparing with the support a child receives when they are learning how to walk. There are many “stumbles” along the way, but the child always knows there is a “hand” holding and guiding her along. Even if they fall, there is someone to comfort them. As such these stumbles don't leave an impression in the child's mind. They become insignificant. Ultimately they learn to walk on their own.....Hope this helps! Best regards, Prakhar