In Their Own Words: Kids Who Stutter Star in New Spanish Video

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Feb. 11, 2008) — Kids who stutter have a lot to say, and friends can show them how in Stuttering: For Kids By Kids, a new DVD now in Spanish starring real kids who stutter.

The Stuttering Foundation is offering this free streaming video online at www.tartamudez.org and www.stutteringhelp.org.

Many children who stutter have never met anyone else who struggles with the same disability. But in this new 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 video.

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 of Purdue 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 too,” added Jane Fraser, president of the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation.

Other professionals who contributed to this production include Joe Donaher, M.A., of the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, Kristin Chmela, M.A., of Northwestern University, and Lisa Scott, Ph.D., of The Florida State University.

The Stuttering Foundation offers many free resources in Spanish, including downloadable brochures, at www.tartamudez.org.

For additional information, call the Stuttering Foundation toll-free at 800-992-9392, visit www.tartamudez.org and www.stutteringhelp.org, or write info@stutteringhelp.org.

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