In Their Own Words: Kids Who Stutter Star in Video

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Kids who stutter have a lot to say, and friends can show them how in Stuttering: For Kids By Kids, a video starring kids who stutter, available at most public libraries.

Many children who stutter have never met anyone else who struggles with the same disability. But in this 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 DVD.  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 ofPurdue 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,” added Jane Fraser, president of the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation. 

Other professionals and specialists in stuttering taking part in this production include Kristin A. Chmela, Northwestern University, Joe Donaher, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Lisa Scott of Florida State University and Lee Caggiano of the support group for children, Friends.

Several books and DVDs produced by the 66-year-old nonprofit Stuttering Foundation are available free to any public library.  A library that will shelve them can contact the Foundation at 800-992-9392 or e-mail info@stutteringhelp.org

This video was offered to all the public libraries in your county.  Here is the list of libraries that received the free video and agreed to shelve it. We cannot guarantee that it is currently available.

  • Aiea Public Library; Aiea, HI
  • Aina Haina Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Ewa Beach Public Library; Ewa Beach, HI
  • Hawaii Kai Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Hawaii State Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Kahuku Public Library; Kahuku, HI
  • Kailua Public Library; Kailua, HI
  • Kaimuki Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Kalihi-Palama Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Kaneohe Public Library; Kaneohe, HI
  • LBPH Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Liliha Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Manoa Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • McCully-Moiliili Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Mililani Public Library; Mililani, HI
  • Pearl City Public Library; Pearl City, HI
  • Salt Lake Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Wahiawa Public Library; Wahiawa, HI
  • Waialua Public Library; Waialua, HI
  • Waianae Public Library; Waianae, HI
  • Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library; Honolulu, HI
  • Waimanalo Public Library; Waimanalo, HI
  • Waipahu Public Library; Waipahu, HI

Contact us at info@stutteringhelp.org for other PR options. National Stuttering Awareness Week is the second week in May. International Stuttering Awareness Day is October 22nd.

Comments

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2 COMMENTS

  1. The resources described in this article are very helpful to young people who stutter. I am glad that so many libraries on the islands have this resource. I would like to point out that the Stuttering Foundation is the only such organization with a global outreach, reaching more than 130 nations each year, mostly in the third world.

    A cool part of their website is their list of "Famous People Who Stutter" with so many big names, and the "Celebrity Corner" section with articles on many of these famous people like Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, B.B. King, Bill Withers, Lewis Carroll, etc. I feel that when kids and teens are able to see that famous people share there stuttering, it gives them a role model and inspires them to pursue their dreams.

  2. Kids need educational help in the early days when start to going school and left home first time without you. You can dig this when looking exam help for your child by experts.

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