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From: Steve Hood
Date: 10/3/00
Time: 10:20:16 AM
Remote Name: 199.33.133.50
Hi, Judy-- I am not sure if you are asking how DO children who stutter express anger, or how can we help children express anger in a more socially acceptable way. I'll try to give you some thoughts on this, but hope you realize that since I don't know any of the details (e.g., ages of the children, etc) I can not be overly specific.
First, I think it is important to try to determine whether the anger is related to anger regarding stuttering, or generalized anger about other things. In order to help children deal with anger, it is important to know the source(s) of the anger. It is also important to realize that feelings of anger are normal. We all have them. The crucial issues are such things as how **often** we get angry, the **duration** of how long the langer lasts, and the degree of **intensity** with which we experience the anger. If the anger is frequent, long duration and intense, then additional services from a child psychologist may be in order.
With respect to stuttering, it has been my experience that most children who stutter develop some degree of anger, but not to a marked extent. Indeed, there are some children who go to great lengths to keep the anger inward, and attempt to deny and hide it. These are highly individual issues, and I feel unformfortabe dealing with specifics.
I can, however, give some guidelines that may be helpful: First, help the child realize that some degrees of anger are normal and natural, and that it is ok to feel angry. If a behavioral outlet is required, there are acceptable ways to blow of steam such as hitting a punching bag. It is helpful to help the children realize that stuttering is not their fault, and that they are not bad, worthless, stupid, or unworthy because of stuttering. Do as much as you possibly can to help build such things as self-confidence, ego-strength, morale, and feelings of positive self-worth. In addition to helping the child have a happier childhood, it will help the child enter the next stage of adolescence with less emotionally negative baggage.
My response has only scratched the surface, and I hope others will respond.
Good luck,
Steve Hood