Friends - the National Association for Young People Who Stutter
by Lee Caggiano
New York, USA
Friends-the National Association for Young People Who Stutter directed by John Ahlbach, an adult who stutters and Lee Caggiano, parent and SLP, is a volunteer, not for profit organization dedicated to providing support services for young people who stutter, their families and clinicians.
- Monthly newsletter: Reaching Out. Provides a rticles and stories written specifically for children, teens, parents and SLPs on a variety of topics. Recent editions have focused on: dealing with teasing, classroom presentations, support groups, parents' expectations, and group therapy.
- Web site: www.friendswhostutter.org. This site contains an online archive of articles from Reaching Out, additional stories related to stuttering, and listings of upcoming stuttering events.
- Internet Forum for young people: www.friendswhostutter.org/forum. This site allows young people who stutter to get acquainted, connect with old friends, share news and concerns. What makes this site exceptionally kid friendly is the fact that it is facilitated entirely by our teens.
- National convention: Each year FRIENDS sponsors a three- day empowering event. The costs are kept low and scholarships are available to allow everyone access. Workshop topics include: stuttering contests, advertising stuttering, drawing your stutter, role playing siblings, dating and stuttering, job & college interviews, open mic, realistic expectations, supporting and advocating for children who stutter, building self-esteem, parents & SLPs working together, and panels of children, teens and adults who stutter sharing their experiences.
- One-day regional workshops: These workshops are facilitated by local parents/SLPS/Universities
to provide support on a local level for families, SLPs and students.
- FRIENDS New Kid poster: This bright and colorful poster sends the message of hope and support with the words and faces of our young FRIENDS.
- Free classroom presentation kit: This free kit provides all of the information and supplies to give an educational and informative classroom presentation. Included in the kit are: FRIENDS poster of contemporary famous people who stutter, stuttering fact sheet and copies of Reaching Out.
- Parent Advocacy Committee: This group of parents was formed to assist other parents with issues and concerns. They are responsible for organizing parents to volunteer at state conventions, educating families about stuttering and the need for support and a variety of advocacy issues.
- Toll free number: 866-866-8335 Provides children/teens who stutter, family members and SLPs with information and resources regarding stuttering.
FRIENDS events allow young people, their families and clinicians to truly share the experience of living with stuttering. Children's workshops are offered focusing on stuttering related topics, self-esteem and confidence and a variety of social activities. Workshops for parents and SLPs are led by adults who stutter, parents and professionals and offer a variety of perspectives from these experts.
Watching young children become comfortable with their stuttering, talking and laughing about stuttering, and sharing their feelings is inspirational. Young people slowly reach out to each other, parents begin to openly share their feelings, and offer hope to each other. Children and parents leave any FRIENDS event with feelings of hope and empowerment. The following comments best describe the experiences:
"Children and families from around the world continue to feel isolated and helpless, searching for others who are living with stuttering to share their struggles and triumphs with. We need to continue reaching out to these children Š..there are still so many who live alone with their stuttering." Speech pathologist and adult who stutters.
"This is the fist time I have ever felt normal." 8 year old boy who stutters.
"A group of people coming together to share, to encourage, to support, to comfort, .to educate." Mother of a child who stutters.
"This is the best day of my life." 10 year old girl who stutters.
"Before this convention I never knew how much he hurt" Dad of a child who stutters.
"I had no idea I would have this much fun" Teenager who stutters.
"I haven't seen my son smile like this in a very long time" mom of a teen who stutters
You can post Questions/comments to any or all of the authors before October 22, 2004.