New help for children who stammer in school
January 12, 2006

The British Stammering Association will launch three training CD-ROMs for education staff, on January 18 at the City Chambers in Edinburgh, to help children who stammer to communicate confidently in school.

Children who find it very hard to communicate because of their stammer are at real risk of underachieving in school if they do not get the right support. There are video clips of classroom scenes which show teachers how to recognise a stammer - which can often be hidden - and how to raise the issue and support the child in normal classroom activities.

It is thought that 1 in 80 school children stammer. It is rare that they are asked what they need, yet at the heart of the CDs are courageous children who stammer, talking directly to camera about the help and support they find most effective at school. There are real-life examples and interviews with school staff, pupils, parents and speech and language therapists showing the best ways to involve a child in classroom and other school activities. These video clips are complemented by written text.

"I am delighted by the openness and enthusiasm of everyone involved in the project," said BSA chief executive Norbert Lieckfeldt. "Their generosity in speaking so openly about a difficult issue has made the CDs a model of how to communicate effectively and support children with other communication difficulties too."

The project was funded by the Scottish Executive and is based on a similar project for England. The CDs were filmed in two East Renfrewshire schools, Crookfur Primary and Eastwood High School. BSA education officer Cherry Hughes said that the head teachers, Jacqui MacDonald, and Stuart Maxwell, were pleased to support the project as part of the schools' inclusion agenda.

There is one CD for primary school staff, one for secondary school staff and one for secondary school pupils preparing their English oral work. The CDs will be sent without charge to all speech and language therapy services and all state schools in Scotland.

The CDs can also be purchased from BSA for £12.99 each.

Launch
The CDs will be launched at a lunchtime reception to celebrate the achievements with the children whose work will help other pupils who stammer throughout Scotland.

When: Wednesday January 18, 12.30 - 2.30pm.   People will be available for interview after 1.30
Where: Edinburgh City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh
Further information:
Cherry Hughes: 01606 77374
Norbert Lieckfeldt: 020 8983 1003    07908 685 215

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See also: Our education officer