MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Kids who stutter have a lot to say, and friends can show them how in Stuttering: For Kids By Kids, a new DVD now in Spanish starring real kids who stutter.
The Stuttering Foundation is offering this free streaming video online at www.tartamudez.org and www.stutteringhelp.org.
Many
children who stutter have never met anyone else who struggles with the
same disability. But in this new video from the Stuttering Foundation,
they meet other kids who recount how they handle challenges such as
teasing, speaking out in class, and teaching others about stuttering.
Swish, a lively and engaging animated basketball character designed by students at Purdue University, narrates the video.
The
children, who range in age from first-graders to high school students,
offer frank and sometimes differing views of stuttering.
For
example, Matthew, age 10, says about his speech difficulties, “It’s no
big deal;” but Kate, age 9, worries about talking, what is going to
happen next and whether or not she’ll stutter. Arianne , age 14, says,
“The hardest part about stuttering is to get through it and to stay in
there when you’re stuck.” Umang, age 12, agrees, “Sometimes it gets
kind of annoying when you want to say something and you can’t. I also
get worried what other people might think if I do stutter and wonder if
I’ll be able to get out of my blocks and things.”
“All
those interested in helping kids learn more about stuttering will want
to see this tape,” said speech-language pathologist Bill Murphy of
Purdue University. “The children featured are a perfect example of how
to openly and honestly handle stuttering.” “This is an important tool
for families and teachers of kids who stutter too,” added Jane Fraser,
president of the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation.
Other
professionals who contributed to this production include Joe Donaher,
M.A., of the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, Kristin Chmela, M.A.,
of Northwestern University, and Lisa Scott, Ph.D., of The Florida State
University.
The Stuttering Foundation offers many free resources in Spanish, including downloadable brochures, at www.tartamudez.org.
For additional information, call the Stuttering Foundation toll-free at 800-992-9392, visit www.tartamudez.org and www.stutteringhelp.org, or write info@stutteringhelp.org.
