Resources to Prevent and Stop Bullying for Children Who Stutter
Many children who stutter experience teasing and bullying. Bullying is a complex problem that requires time and dedication to tackle, as well as support from everyone in the child’s life.
While each person’s role in preventing and eliminating teasing and bullying is different, some basic actions include learning about stuttering and bullying, developing healthy communication attitudes, developing self-advocacy skills, validating feelings, building the child’s self-esteem, and creating a positive communication environment in the classroom (Murphy, Quesal, Reardon-Reeves, and Yaruss, 2013). Here are some resources that might be helpful for you:
Stuttering Therapy Resources also has videos and pamphlets for purchase: https://stutteringtherapyresources.com/pages/practical-tips-videos-minimizing-bullying
Bullying Series by Tricia Hildick Hedinger:
· https://knoxvillemoms.com/bullying-what-does-research-tell-us-part-2/
The Tim Mackesy Podcast
In the episode “An Action Plan for Teasing and Bullying,” Tim discusses how children who stutter are affected by teasing and bullying and provides guidance for how to have a meeting with the child’s teachers and school staff to address it.
· https://anchor.fm/tim-mackesey/episodes/An-action-plan-for-teasing--bullying-e1far0c
· https://www.stuttering-specialist.com/classroom-advocacy
Friends Who Stutter has online support groups for people who stutter of various age groups and for parents: https://www.friendswhostutter.org/virtual/
The book “How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk” provides guidance on ways to support your child when they are experiencing difficult feelings: https://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Kids-Will-Listen/dp/1451663889 There is a version for teens, as well.
I hope that these resources help you and your child address any teasing or bullying that they are experiencing. Please remember that this information is for educational purposes only and you should seek the help of a speech-language pathologist to address your specific situation. For a full disclaimer, see https://www.infinitehorizonspeech.com/disclaimers.
Reference:
Murphy, B., Quesal, R. W., Reardon-Reeves, N., & Yaruss, J. S. (2013). Minimizing bullying for children who stutter: A practical guide for Slps. Stuttering Therapy Resources.