I saw this quote "Getting the facts is only half the job. The other half is to use them wisely," and immediately thought of all the children who go through speech therapy and learn the techniques they need for better speech, but only use them in therapy sessions. I have read posts of adult stutterers who, after leaving school and not having access to therapy, said they wished they could remember everything they had been taught as they would try harder to use what they had learned, now. Wonder how you get young people to realize that they need to use those techniques and make them part of their everyday life for the rest of their lives. Learning something will do us no good if we don't apply what we have learned.
The same thing goes for parents who have a child who stutters. Getting the information of what to do and how to talk with the child is only the first step (www.stutteringhelp.org has this information); following the suggestions is the wise step.
Teachers, employers, and others should also become informed about stuttering in case they come in contact with someone who stutters. The stories that I have heard about injustices in school and the workplace make me wonder if some people should be allowed to be teachers or employers!
Showing posts with label Information about stuttering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Information about stuttering. Show all posts
National Stuttering Awareness Week and others in May
Look at this http://battlingforhealth.com/2009/05/health-observances-in-may/
I never realized that we had so many health observances in May. I knew that National Stuttering Awareness Week is always the second week in May, but I didn't know about all the others. I know that much more needs to be done to educate the public about stuttering and how to converse with someone who stutters. That fact was brought out the other day when I saw a post from a stutterer saying that they had gone to a store to ask for a brand of sunglasses and stuttered on the name. The employee repeated it back with the stutter just like the person had said it. What humiliation and what horrible customer service on the part of that employee. It just shows that companies need to train staff better on relating to their customers whether they talk differently, walk differently (or can't walk), look different, or anything.
I never realized that we had so many health observances in May. I knew that National Stuttering Awareness Week is always the second week in May, but I didn't know about all the others. I know that much more needs to be done to educate the public about stuttering and how to converse with someone who stutters. That fact was brought out the other day when I saw a post from a stutterer saying that they had gone to a store to ask for a brand of sunglasses and stuttered on the name. The employee repeated it back with the stutter just like the person had said it. What humiliation and what horrible customer service on the part of that employee. It just shows that companies need to train staff better on relating to their customers whether they talk differently, walk differently (or can't walk), look different, or anything.
Pagoclone study in California
I just saw this on the Stuttering Foundation's MySpace page:
"The Pharmacology Research Institute, based in Los Alamitos, California will be one of the research sites taking part in the new Pagoclone Research Study . This study is a 24 week clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Pagoclone for the treatment of adults with stuttering. We will begin enrollment this coming week.Our research center participated in the first Pagoclone study that began about three and a half years ago. If you are interested in participating in the new study please contact our office using the following e-mail address: mhenry@priresearch.com or you can visit our company's website at www. priresearch. com. Stuttering is not listed on our home page but if you select the option to schedule a free consultation and after you select the office of Los Alamitios/Long Beach you will be asked to indicate which study you are interested in and option for Persistent Stuttering will be listed there." (go to this page http://www.priresearch.com/losala.html and choose Persistent Stuttering)
"The Pharmacology Research Institute, based in Los Alamitos, California will be one of the research sites taking part in the new Pagoclone Research Study . This study is a 24 week clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Pagoclone for the treatment of adults with stuttering. We will begin enrollment this coming week.Our research center participated in the first Pagoclone study that began about three and a half years ago. If you are interested in participating in the new study please contact our office using the following e-mail address: mhenry@priresearch.com or you can visit our company's website at www. priresearch. com. Stuttering is not listed on our home page but if you select the option to schedule a free consultation and after you select the office of Los Alamitios/Long Beach you will be asked to indicate which study you are interested in and option for Persistent Stuttering will be listed there." (go to this page http://www.priresearch.com/losala.html and choose Persistent Stuttering)
This is nice
The Stuttering Foundation of America has their catalog online, now! Check this out http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/stuttering/makeadifference/ .
Interesting articles on stuttering
The International Stuttering Awareness Day online conference can be found here http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad11/isadcon11.html. There are many good articles on stuttering by specialists in the field and by people who stutter from all over the world. International Stuttering Awareness Day is October 22 each year.
Knowledge
Knowing all you can about any condition that affects you, a family member, or a friend is the first step in making sure the condition doesn't become a problem. The knowledge of how the body creates and uses insulin and what is needed to be done will help the diabetic live a normal life. The knowledge of how the joints work, what to do if arthritis sets in, and how to protect the joints will help the arthritic live a normal life. The knowledge of what happens to the aging brain, that nutrition and mental exercise help, and the signs of dementia will help the elderly have a longer, productive life. The same thing goes for stuttering. Knowing how to help yourself and where to go for help, practicing the techniques for better speech, and adjusting any poor attitudes will help the stutterer lead a more normal life.
Stuttering Bill of Rights & Responsibilities
Read the entire list here http://www.stuttering.ws/bill_of_rights.htm
Here is a tidbit from the above site:
"The Right to communicate and be listened to regardless of one's degree of stuttering
The Right to be treated with dignity and respect by individuals, groups, institutions, and the media regardless of one's degree of stuttering
The Responsibility to inform listeners or conversation partners if one needs additional time to communicate
The Responsibility to assist whenever possible in educating the public about stuttering and its ramifications "
Here is a tidbit from the above site:
"The Right to communicate and be listened to regardless of one's degree of stuttering
The Right to be treated with dignity and respect by individuals, groups, institutions, and the media regardless of one's degree of stuttering
The Responsibility to inform listeners or conversation partners if one needs additional time to communicate
The Responsibility to assist whenever possible in educating the public about stuttering and its ramifications "
Choral Effect on Stuttering
In Robert Logan's book "The Three Dimensions of Stuttering", he states:
"In their book 'Motor Speech Disorders,' Darley, Aronson and Brown (1975) estimated that fluent speech requires 140,000 neuromuscular events per second of speech. Consider, too, that these events must be programmed, co-ordinated, and performed flawlessly. It is a wonder that stuttering is not the norm and that we do not treat fluent speech as the disorder. These 140,000 events are the final result of input of central and peripheral neurological sites into the muscles of the entire motor speech system. In stutterers, we lack the ability to time this system properly. If, however, we have a second signal, such as someone reciting along with us, we are able to properly synchronize these 140,000 events."
"In their book 'Motor Speech Disorders,' Darley, Aronson and Brown (1975) estimated that fluent speech requires 140,000 neuromuscular events per second of speech. Consider, too, that these events must be programmed, co-ordinated, and performed flawlessly. It is a wonder that stuttering is not the norm and that we do not treat fluent speech as the disorder. These 140,000 events are the final result of input of central and peripheral neurological sites into the muscles of the entire motor speech system. In stutterers, we lack the ability to time this system properly. If, however, we have a second signal, such as someone reciting along with us, we are able to properly synchronize these 140,000 events."
With one of the busiest times of the year upon us at Christmas holidays, many parents will notice a young child start stuttering. Those children, teens, and adults who already stutter will possible find that they stutter more all of a sudden. Although, Christmas is a happy, fun time of the year; it is also a stressful time. Everyone seems to be in a hurry as they have so much to do to prepare for exchanging gifts; shoppers are in a hurry to finish their list; stores and busier and need to move the people through the checkout line quickly; there are visitors in homes making many households double in size, etc.
This is one time that parents need to know and follow the things to do at home to help young children who stutter. Here is the list of things that The Stuttering Foundation of America gives:
1. Speak with your child in an unhurried way, pausing frequently. Wait a few seconds after your child finishes speaking before you begin to speak. Your own slow, relaxed speech will be far more effective than any criticism or advice such as "slow down" or "try it again slowly."
2. Reduce the number of questions you ask your child. Children speak more freely if they are expressing their own ideas rather than answering an adult's questions. Instead of asking questions, simply comment on what your child has said, thereby letting him know you heard him.
3. Use your facial expressions and other body language to convey to your child that you are listening to the content of her message and not to how she's talking.
4. Set aside a few minutes at a regular time each day when you can give your undivided attention to your child. During this time, let the child choose what he would like to do. Let him direct you in activities and decide himself whether to talk or not. When you talk during this special time, use slow, calm, and relaxed speech, with plenty of pauses. This quiet, calm time can be a confidence-builder for younger children, letting them know that a parent enjoys their company. As the child gets older, it can be a time when the child feels comfortable talking about his feelings and experiences with a parent.
5. Help all members of the family learn to take turns talking and listening. Children, especially those who stutter, find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions and they have the listeners' attention.
6. Observe the way you interact with your child. Try to increase those times that give your child the message that you are listening to her and she has plenty of time to talk. Try to decrease criticisms, rapid speech patterns, interruptions, and questions.
7. Above all, convey that you accept your child as he is. The most powerful force will be your support of him, whether he stutters or not.
Those who stutter need to relax and not let people rush them. Others can take the extra time needed to complete a transaction at the store, give you time to speak with more people in the house, and to be respectful to you. Remember that it is easier to speak in a slow, relaxed manner and just glide on through the stuttering rather than trying not to stutter. The more you try not to stutter, the more you will!
This is one time that parents need to know and follow the things to do at home to help young children who stutter. Here is the list of things that The Stuttering Foundation of America gives:
1. Speak with your child in an unhurried way, pausing frequently. Wait a few seconds after your child finishes speaking before you begin to speak. Your own slow, relaxed speech will be far more effective than any criticism or advice such as "slow down" or "try it again slowly."
2. Reduce the number of questions you ask your child. Children speak more freely if they are expressing their own ideas rather than answering an adult's questions. Instead of asking questions, simply comment on what your child has said, thereby letting him know you heard him.
3. Use your facial expressions and other body language to convey to your child that you are listening to the content of her message and not to how she's talking.
4. Set aside a few minutes at a regular time each day when you can give your undivided attention to your child. During this time, let the child choose what he would like to do. Let him direct you in activities and decide himself whether to talk or not. When you talk during this special time, use slow, calm, and relaxed speech, with plenty of pauses. This quiet, calm time can be a confidence-builder for younger children, letting them know that a parent enjoys their company. As the child gets older, it can be a time when the child feels comfortable talking about his feelings and experiences with a parent.
5. Help all members of the family learn to take turns talking and listening. Children, especially those who stutter, find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions and they have the listeners' attention.
6. Observe the way you interact with your child. Try to increase those times that give your child the message that you are listening to her and she has plenty of time to talk. Try to decrease criticisms, rapid speech patterns, interruptions, and questions.
7. Above all, convey that you accept your child as he is. The most powerful force will be your support of him, whether he stutters or not.
Those who stutter need to relax and not let people rush them. Others can take the extra time needed to complete a transaction at the store, give you time to speak with more people in the house, and to be respectful to you. Remember that it is easier to speak in a slow, relaxed manner and just glide on through the stuttering rather than trying not to stutter. The more you try not to stutter, the more you will!
Everyone wants to help with stuttering!
Seems that I see more and more blogs and ads offering stuttering assistance. It makes me wonder why I see the same names but on many, many different blogs. It also makes me wonder if they are really trying to help those who stutter or if they just think that people who stutter are dumb enough to pay money over the internet for a "cure." I think those who stutter are smart enough to sort out the ones who are really wanting to help from those who are just trying to make a buck off of their problem. What a sad lot some people are! I just hope and pray that those who stutter or parents of children who start stuttering know the best source of information and help.
People who have any affliction are often so desparate to overcome it that they spend money on unnecessary "treatments" in the hopes that one of them will work.
People who have any affliction are often so desparate to overcome it that they spend money on unnecessary "treatments" in the hopes that one of them will work.
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