Young people who stutter need to know they are not alone. Information in the form of posters, books, and video is available that focuses on famous people who stutter. Young people do need to be exposed to adults who stutter who have surpassed the odds and become well known actors, politicians, and sports figures, but more importantly young people who stutter need to realize that by communicating assertively and proactively they are an 'Everyday Hero'.
Stuttering is a communication disorder occurring in up to 5% of all school age youth often resulting in significant emotional & social consequences, including communication withdrawal, bullying, & shame. A survey revealed that 80% of youth who stutter (YWS) reported being bullied & 40% of adults had been denied a job or promotion. YWS can become great communicators who exhibit communicative confidence & competence when provided with adequate therapy services.
Stating your name, introducing yourself to a substitute teacher, making a phone call, ordering in a restaurant, and raising your hand in class, these are all activities many of us would not think twice about. However, for those who stutter these seemingly simple activities can be a source of great fear. Camp Shout Out focuses on helping young people who stutter become attentive, assertive, confident, effective and proactive communicators. We build Great Communicators! We build Everyday Heroes!
This project will build great communicators by providing training and treatment both directly and indirectly to approximately 200 young people who stutter each year. Camp Shout Out will become a model for the training of speech-language pathologists and graduate students as they seek to deepen their knowledge and and understanding when working with young people who stutter. Camp Shout Out Builds Great Communicators. Great Communicators Change the World. Camp Shout Out is changing the world!
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).