ASC launches school toolkit to support children who stammer

Action for Stammering Children charity aims to support teachers and reduce bullying for the 8% of children in the UK who stammer with a free suite of e-learning tools and training. 

The Stammer Awareness Toolkit, which launches today, consists of an e-learning programme, comprising four interactive training modules, case studies provided by young people who stammer, and downloadable resources. The Stammer Awareness Toolkit is available for all schools in the UK – and is available at no cost in the first year. At time of launch, over 65 schools have expressed an interest in taking part. 

Many children will experience bullying as a result of their stammer, while a lack of awareness about stammering and its impact can make school a challenging place for pupils. Pupils can find it difficult to participate in lessons, avoid subjects that involve speaking and presenting, and limit their career aspirations – believing that having a stammer will prevent them succeeding in their chosen industry.  

By equipping teachers with the latest knowledge and practical strategies, the charity hopes to increase awareness about stammering within schools, promote acceptance amongst peers, and create a more inclusive environment where children who stammer can thrive. 

Chief Executive of Action for Stammering Children, Ria Bernard, explains the rationale for developing this Toolkit: 

“Children spend the majority of their week in school and we know from our work with young people that school can be a challenging place for pupils who stammer. A lack of awareness about childhood stammering – and the impact it has on children – can mean that pupils face negative reactions from classmates, social isolation and miss out on opportunities afforded to their peers. 

We also appreciate how many demands are placed on teachers in the busy school environment. The Stammer Awareness Toolkit  is designed to assist teachers in their efforts to make the classroom more inclusive for pupils who stammer.” 

The Stammer Awareness Toolkit was created by a team of Speech and Language Therapists in consultation with young people, parents and teachers. Drawing on the latest research, it provides strategies to help children to participate fully in school life, alongside whole classroom approaches to build pupils’ confidence.  All schools which complete the toolkit will be eligible to apply for ‘Stammer Aware’ school status, which the charity hopes will become the gold standard for schools implementing best practice in supporting children with a stammer. 

NOTES 

• Action for Stammering Children is the UK charity for children and young people who stammer, their families, and the communities who support them. We support and empower parents, caregivers and professionals; facilitate and champion research; and campaign for changes in policy and societal attitudes. www.actionforstammeringchildren.org  

• Founded in 1989, the charity works with parent/carers, children and young people who stammer, health and education professionals, and researchers. 

• The Toolkit has been developed by the charity Action for Stammering Children, which works across the UK to support children and young people who stammer, their families and the communities who work with them. Other projects spearheaded by the charity include the Stammering Support Hub, which provides information and signposting to families looking for support, alongside a number of ‘transitional projects’ aimed at supporting adolescents, including the Youth Panel, Stambassador Network and Career Mentoring Scheme.  

• Education professionals can sign up to access the Stammer Awareness Toolkit though the Support for Schools area of the Action for Stammering Children website. 

• The Toolkit is fully funded by our supporters for the first year. In subsequent years, schools will be asked to pay a nominal fee. 

• Schools get access for one calendar year with no limit on the number teachers and teaching assistants enrolled per school 

Press contact:  

Heela Yoon – Communications, Impact & Engagement Officer 

[email protected]