School Children Who Stammer

There is a separate page on information for teachers.

Further information, links and articles

Further general information
External links, including courses
Articles
Down's syndrome
Education (older material)

Further general information

Stammering and the bilingual child Includes recommendations and suggestions for parents whose child speaks more than one language.

Is there a cure for stammering? The BSA perspective on this much asked question, including considerations for different age groups.

Self-help for parents Are you are a parent who would like to be in touch with other parents of a child who stammers? Includes Facebook groups and Yahoo groups.

General information about stammering About stammering generally - what is it?, causes, statistics, terminology, myths etc.

Fluency Trust film: 'Speak' "A short film for young people who stammer, made by young people who stammer."

Stammering Information Programme for schools Michael Palin Centre's DVD 'Wait, wait I'm not finished yet....' launched in October 2009, is available free of charge for pupils who stammer and their parents, SLTs, teachers, and SENCos in England to show to education staff.

External links, including courses (For your local NHS speech and language therapy service, please contact the BSA helpline.)

Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children In London. Their website includes information for parents and children. Children may be referred to the Centre from all over the UK by speech and language therapists or GPs.

Stammering Support Centre, Leeds Opened in April 2011, this Centre offers highly specialist speech and language therapy assessment and support for children, young people and adults who stammer. (October 26th & 27th: 'Developing Positive Self Esteem and Confidence' group for young people who stammer - 13-16 years)

Fluency Trust Runs residential courses at a North Devon adventure centre. BSA's Fluency Trust page links to some articles about it. Its film 'Speak' is "for young people who stammer, made by young people who stammer."

City University intensive courses Courses during school holidays for young people who stammer.

Starfish Project courses for young people The Starfish Project run courses for young people aged 12-16 and 16-18. The courses are based on costal breathing.

Talking point Information about speech, language and communication difficulties in children. It has separate parts directed at parents and professionals.

Video: 'Stuttering: For Kids, By Kids' View online at Stuttering Foundation of America website. Meet Swish and his young friends. They talk about stuttering, teasing, what helps and how to teach others about stuttering. Features cartoon animation and real children in an engaging and lively video. 12 minutes. Also in BSA library.

Articles

My Son's Not Stupid A child with a stammer starts school (1984).

Helping Christopher - life with a child who stammers Good therapy can help to change a child's life, but patience and understanding at home create the foundation says Yvonne Thomas. (2005)

Parenthood A mother explains how she learnt to acknowledge her son's suffering and needs. (1993)

The wind in their sails Nine young people who stammer gain extra confidence and skills on a course in the London borough of Greenwich. (2002)

Stammering Schooldays A look at school-life and difficulties in getting advice, information and help. (1992)

Talking to Teenagers We interview nine youngsters in therapy to find out the problems at school. (1992)

Words An exellent short poem by 12-year old Naomi from Bradford.

Down's Syndrome

Dysfluency, stammering and Down's syndrome Information from BSA's leaflet on Stammering & Down's Syndrome

The nature of dysfluency in Down's syndrome Monica Bray's survey looks at dysfluency in Down's syndrome and at the success or otherwise of different treatment approaches.

What can we do about Dysfluency, Stammering, Getting Stuck? Pdf on the Down's Syndrome Association website (www.downs-syndrome.org.uk).

Education (older material). See Education (above) for main resources.

"The Pupil Who Stammers - Information for Teachers" A comprehensive guide compiled by our panel of specialist speech and language therapists.

Is your child a gifted and talented pupil? Gifted and talented (G&T) pupils are entitled to 'differential provision' to ensure they achieve their potential. BSA education officer Cherry Hughes feels that schools may be failing to spot when a child who stammers is G&T. (2010)

School admissions Our education officer Cherry Hughes gives a short guide to school admissions in England when your child has a stammer. (2008)

School appeals BSA Education Officer Cherry Hughes looks at how to appeal in England if an application for school admission is refused. (2008)

Educational achievement and the child who stammers Stammering need not be a barrier to achievement. BSA's education officer looks at monitoring with teachers your child's performance against their ability levels, and at 'School Action'. (2008)

GCSE Oral work - some changes BSA Education Officer Cherry Hughes outlines some changes to the English and Welsh Examination Boards as from 2009 and 2010. Also GCSE oral components - previous article from 2009.

Choosing a School When Your Child Stammers By Cherry Hughes, BSA Education Officer (1998).

Oral assessments in secondary school: the long road to GCSE Also by Cherry Hughes. Preparing for GCSE oral assessments and how you can start young. (2000)

Teasing and bullying by our Education Officer - make sure that your child knows to always 'tell' on the bullies! (2009) Mastering Bullying?! - research from Germany (2008). Older 'bullying' article series (2003):     Bullying - what young people are telling us     Bullying in schools - what parents can do     Bullying - some strategies used in schools