Campaign aimed at stammering kids
BARNSLEY’S children’s speech and language therapy team have been reminding school kids ‘it’s okay to stammer’.
They used EyUp! charity funding to buy copies of the book ‘The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh’ by Helen Rutter, which tells the story of a stammering child who faces his fears and realises that he is happy with who he is. To encourage youngsters to discuss and change the perception of stammering, the team are offering local schools a free copy of the book.
Nicola Maddy, specialist stammering therapist, said: “We know from research with adults who stammer that their experiences in childhood can continue to affect them as adults in terms of their mental health, academic success and work prospects.
“If people were more understanding and accepting of stammering then people who stammer might feel more comfortable with their talking.
“We want to take the first steps to make Barnsley is a place where children and adults say ‘hey… it’s okay to stammer’ and celebrate the diverse ways we communicate.
“We hope that this project will support schools in changing the perception of stammering and provide a happier and safer communication environment for children who stammer.”