Understanding Stammering or Stuttering

by Kelman, Elaine; Whyte, Alison; Palin, Michael

• ISBN13: 9781849052689
• ISBN10: 1849052689
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-07-15
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub

Summary

Parents of children who stammer (also called a stutter) may see their child suffering with embarrassment, frustration or anxiety but feel at a loss as to how best to help. The book explains stammering from a child's point of view, using firsthand accounts to demonstrate the common feelings of anguish experienced, and clarifying what the child is likely to want and need in terms of support at home, school and in social situations. The book is full of helpful advice for carers about how to build a child's confidence with techniques and tips to alleviate the stammer and improve self-esteem and school performance. This accessible resource will shed light on the perplexing nature of stammers, enabling those who care for children affected to find answers and get the best possible help.

Author Biography

Elaine Kelman is a speech and language therapist. She has worked in the field of stammering for over 25 years and at the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children since it opened in 1994. She is a specialist in the treatment of stammering and works with children of all ages as well as adults. She works extensively with parents, helping them to support their children effectively. Alison Whyte is a journalist and health writer. She has a son who first received therapy at the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children when he was nine. He is now 21 and still has contact with the centre. She has been writing about health and social issues for 25 years, and has written about stammering for The Guardian and health and education journals. Both Elaine and Alison live in London, UK.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 9
Acknowledgements	p. 13
Introduction	p. 15
What Young People Say about Stammering	p. 19
Stammering: The Facts	p. 21
What you see	p. 21
What you don't see	p. 23
Questions and answers about stammering	p. 25
Causes of stammering	p. 32
What affects a stammer?	p. 35
Success stories	p. 38
Myths about stammering	p. 38
How it Feels to Have a Stammer	p. 41
What children say	p. 41
What Helps, What Doesn't	p. 47
What makes it worse	p. 48
What makes it better	p. 54
Parents	p. 61
How parents may feel	p. 61
Supporting your child at home	p. 65
Advice and suggestions	p. 70
Supporting your child at school	p. 74
Teachers	p. 81
What children say about school	p. 82
Advice and suggestions	p. 86
Resources for teachers	p. 94
Information and Resources	p. 95
How to access therapy	p. 96
Assessment	p. 97
What to expect in therapy	p. 100
Components of therapy	p. 103
Relapse	p. 108
Other types of therapy	p. 109
Therapy centres	p. 113
Other Useful Organisations and Websites	p. 117
Conclusion	p. 121
References	p. 123
Index	p. 125
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