Tammy- Dysfluency resources for teens

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

I truly apologize for my late reply here. My husbands job

has us relocating to another State, therefore we are in the

process of moving and I seem to be getting more behind on

messages these days.

I did want to address your message in saying that I also

understand looking back now, how we see so much more

could have been available for our teens. As much as I try

not to kick myself and say why was I not aware of that or

this. Well truth be told, I did not have the answers, nor

did any physicians that Khalid had seen before. Khalid's

wonderful outcome is due to God, our love for him, and one

caring person, his school therapist who saw Khalid's needs

and potential.

As you mentioned, the Internet is an excellent resource

and has been a blessing to not only my family but to the

knowledge that is evolving for all of us. I've since been

most comfortable in working online with associating to

positive, warm and supportive websites or people -those

that like to uplift and support others.

Like you however I didn't have the support or information

on the Internet while Khalid was growing up -I too did not

have a computer in Khalid's younger years. When Khalid was

older, although we finally had one, I dared not use it for

awhile, I was somewhat intimidated by it.

Also - I was not aware of all that was out there, all the

various speech disorders. When I did finally look online my

first search was on my son's condition " Apraxia " , and up

came Apraxia information just like that. After that I was

hooked -this was the first time I was aware that my son was

not alone with Apraxia - that we were not alone... I'll

never forget that feeling of gratitude. I'll also never

forget which I'm sure you relate to how isolated I had been

through it all before the Internet.

Tammy now that our children are older, we must continue

to look for ways that will include and benefit them. The

teen's years are difficult for kids in general to open up

and then to have to deal with speech deficits can create

issues of self-esteem and incompetence. Similar to your

son, Khalid too can be quiet at times and always was a

quiet, yet a contented child. Most is due to his nature

and it could also result in him wanting to deal with his

concerns in his own way. There are those times I have to

back off and find when it's best to probe and when not to

be pushy. With a listening heart and compassion, we have

our moments which he shares his deepest concerns.

Through the years, what has helped Khalid open up most. I

feel it is his passion for basketball, which was something

he could excel in, that didn't require speech. I had no

idea then, how that would transform this kid into believing

in what he can do, not with just sports, yet in all areas

of interest. I will add he does have a great sense of humor-

which eases some of life's unexpected stressors!

Teen years often seem to be the toughest part of a child's

life. With so many questions and those hard to find answers

to life. What I have learned most throughout this journey

with Khalid, is to step back and allow him to learn from

every positive and negative experience. Even to look for

the positive in the negative of situations. Helen keller

quotes it best " Life is a succession of lessons which must

be lived to be understood. "

Following my message, I have compiled some resources which

perhaps will give your son some strategies on dysfluency and

speech mangement to help him through his teen years.

Mustafa

Mom to Khalid, Jadd and Danya

(may need to cut and paste longer links)

HINDSIGHT ADVICE FROM A PARENT OF A TEEN WHO STUTTERS

http://www.nsastutter.org/letgo/ov_murphy00.html

Transitional Years: Top Ten " To Do " List For Teens

http://www.nsastutter.org/families/teens10.html

Just For Teens a special page for Teens who stutter

http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/comdis/kuster/kids/teens.html

Treatment Programs for Adults Who Stutter

http://www.afccafet.com/adflubro.htm

TURNING ON TO THERAPY FOR TEENS

http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/comdis/kuster/TherapyWWW/Teentherapy.html

Research Studies Interaction of Language and Motor

Processing in Stuttering

http://www.stuttersfa.org/Research/asmith.htm

Turning on to Therapy

http://www.stuttersfa.org/br_ther.htm

" Many teens and adults who stutter have been to speech

therapy for their stuttering at least once in their lives.

Some people have been through years of therapy. Just

because you may have had treatment for your stuttering in

the past does not mean you shouldn't consider it again. It

is common for stuttering to change over time or for

emotions and attitudes about your speech to change as you

have new experiences. "

Speech Strategies - Provided by Stan Goldberg, Ph.D., a San

Francisco-based therapist specializing in stuttering, IEP

consultations, and family-managed home therapy programs for

disabled children and adults

http://speechstrategies.com/

Parenting Todays Teens

http://www.parentingteens.com/

Special Needs Teens

http://www.parentingteens.com/spclneedarchive.shtml

" Parenting Today's Teen - Information, Insight and Support

for Parents of Teens The ultimate question for parents

isn't where they stand on these issues, it's who shapes

their teens' stand on these issues. "