Abstract
Stuttering can be a significant problem for children who stutter, but there is much
that speech–language pathologists can do to help. This article summarizes six key
steps, based on the work of Murphy and colleagues, that clinicians can take to minimize
the occurrence and impact of bullying for children who stutter: (1) educating children
about stuttering; (2) educating children about bullying; (3) helping children change
the way they think and feel about their stuttering through desensitization, cognitive
restructuring, and acceptance activities; (4) helping children learn to use appropriately
assertive responses that decrease the likelihood of bullying; (5) educating peers
and bystanders about stuttering and bullying so that they are more likely to respond
in helpful ways; and (6) educating parents, teachers, and administrators about how
they can create an environment where it is not okay to bully, but it is okay to stutter.
Keywords
Stuttering - communication disorders - therapy - bullying - treatment strategies
