School Teachers Flock to Kansas City

School Therapists Flock to Kansas City

alt text The Kansas City Convention Center was the site of a flurry of activity as the American Speech-Language Hearing Association held its annual Schools 2009 Conference. Because of its ideal placement right at the entrance to the exhibit hall, the Stuttering Foundation booth was busier than ever.

SFA's newest DVD, Tools for Success: A Cognitive Behavior Therapy Taster, was introduced for the first time and quickly became a must-have item.

Presenter Kristin Chmela's SFA workbook, The School-Aged Child Who Stutters: Working Effectively with Attitudes and Emotions, and DVD, Working with Preschoolers Who Stutter: Successful Intervention Strategies also flew off the table in record time.

Foundation anchor, Renee Shepherd said, "It was great to hear from clinicians over and over again how SFA materials are making a huge difference in the lives of the children with whom they work and are yet so affordable."

Because children receive therapy free through the schools, this conference is an especially important one for the Foundation. "Our job is to provide materials that help school clinicians feel competent and comfortable working with children of all ages," added Shepherd.

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Emily Blunt

Actress Emily Blunt struggled with stuttering early in her life. A teacher encouraged her to act in a school play at age 12 despite her stuttering.

Blunt’s name is prominently featured on the Stuttering Foundation's list of Famous People Who Stutter.

Darren Sproles

Darren Sproles, a former player for The Philadelphia Eagles, the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers, made history in 2007 when he became the first player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt for his first two NFL touchdowns in the same game. In 2021, he was selected to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Carly Simon

Carly Simon began stuttering severely when she was eight years old.

Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin, the basketball sensation who was named to the NBA’s All Star Team in 2004, joins other famous people who stutter in a new brochure. The brochure - which unfolds into a small poster - is available free of charge from The Stuttering Foundation.

The poster is intended to give children and adults who stutter inspiration as they grapple with their speech disorder.

John Melendez

He is a talented musician, actor, and comedian. Listen to a podcast.