Stuttering in school

[Steamboat Marti]

My son stutters. He comes home from school today and tells me that during music class his teacher imitates him stuttering! I am appalled and shocked to say the least. Why would a teacher do that? He simply asked if they were going to learn "Aaaaamazing Grace" on their new recorders. She thought he was being a wise guy and said "I don't know if we are going to learn Aaaamazing Grace". One of the paraprofessionals then tells the teacher that DS is a stutterer. The music teacher is totally embarrassed and apologized, but I mean, WHY? Would you make fun of a child who has Autism? I'm still pretty upset and I learned about this at 3:45 this afternoon!

 

[Hillbeans]

I'm sorry Marti and I feel bad for your son. I'm 36 but i've had a mild stutter for most of my life. It doesn't affect me much, but occasionally i've had a few flare-ups and the worst thing someone can do to you (as a child or as an adult) is to make fun of what you can't say. It only makes the situation worse. Having been on the receiving end of that kind of ridicule I know how much it hurts. Just give him unconditional Love and hopefully the teacher apologized to him and will learn from her mistake/oversight.

Then you can tell your son (if he likes Star Wars) that Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) was/is a stutterer, but look how cool he is!

 

[mommasita]

I would be appalled also. Especially coming from a professional educator. Hoping they learn something from this lesson...So easy to laugh first, then think.

 

[clh2]

Hugs to your DS. The teacher's behavior was just inappropriate, and very unprofessional. It is already 3/4 of the way through the school year, doesn't this teacher have a clue????

 

[Sinderelli]

I am a teacher, and I think that teacher was totally out of line! Pleading ignorance is not an excuse. As for her "apology"- just like I tell my students: "Saying sorry does not excuse the action."

Personally, I would not let it go. My son's Pre-K teacher told me in conferences that, in regards to my son, "A light was on but nobody was home." I sat there, shocked, and did not say a word. I regret that to this day.

 

[Steamboat Marti]

I'm sorry Marti and I feel bad for your son. I'm 36 but i've had a mild stutter for most of my life. It doesn't affect me much, but occasionally i've had a few flare-ups and the worst thing someone can do to you (as a child or as an adult) is to make fun of what you can't say. It only makes the situation worse. Having been on the receiving end of that kind of ridicule I know how much it hurts. Just give him unconditional Love and hopefully the teacher apologized to him and will learn from her mistake/oversight.

Then you can tell your son (if he likes Star Wars) that Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) was/is a stutterer, but look how cool he is!

He loves Star Wars! This will make him so happy! He's only 9 and the teasing has really started this year. My heart breaks for him sometimes.

 

[Steamboat Marti]

I've called the principal, and I'm waiting. He told me that the paraprofessional to the student with Autism pointed it out that DS stutters. So I know now that another adult witnessed it. I feel a little better that another adult was in the room.

What should I expect to happen?

 

[terri01p]

I'm sadened by this, it's really makes me sick and mad !

 

[Blueeyes101817]

o wow..i hope the principal will be able to talk to that teacher!

 

[Pooh67_68]

Sorry to hear this Marti, some people.
Plenty of to your son.

 

[disneyfanforever]

I am so sorry for your little boy. I would be furious at the teacher. Whether she thought he was being a wise guy or not, it was completely unprofessional of her to make fun of stuttering at all. I hope the principal talks to the teacher, and I think the teacher owes you and your son a huge apology (I know he received an apology at school but he deserves another private one with you there) . That kind of behavior should not be tolerated.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am so sorry for you. I think she owes you and your son an apology. Whether he stutters or was just being a silly kid she should not be making fun of any child. I'm glad your son told you about it though. I had a few teachers growing up that used to make me cry and I never told my Mom until I was an adult. I was so embarrased. That teacher needs to call you personally.

 

[m&m's mom]

My oldest brother has studdered his whole life. It is moderate to severe. Stress makes his worse. I have felt so bad at times when people have made fun of him. These have been adults as well. I cannot imagine what in the world that teacher was thinking.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I'm so sorry that your son had that happen. Hopefully his teacher learned from her mistake.

 

[mking624]

OMG this absolutely infuriates me. My mom is a stutterer and I take it very personally when there's any mockery made of stutterers. I am so sorry for what your son experienced. Whether he was aware of the stuttering or not, it was absolutely inappropriate for the teacher to make fun of him. Even if your son didn't stutter, what the teacher did was so grossly wrong. It just sickens me.

 

[js]

My ds-9 is/was a stutterer and we have been brining him to a speech pathologist since he was 3. Reading your thread just sickens me. I wasn't even going to open it since it just kills me when I hear my son have problems or "hiccups". He use to go to sppech three hours a week and now it is down to 30 minutes a week due to his progress. But, I noticed this week he is having a little more difficultly getting his words out. Yes, stress and being tired affect his speech.
I am SOOO sorry your son had to ask a question to a teacher and get that kind of response. I know how you feel and feel terrible for your son. We both know how hard it is for them to even raise their hand to ask a question, get the courage to speak and then this. You didn't mention that the teacher sent a note home to you apologizing so I assume you didn't get one. I am not a note writer to school, but you can bet, I would be sending in something on Monday, although I am not sure what I would say and although I wouldn't say it, I would expect him to apologize.
I feel your pain and I remember when my son's stuttering was so bad, I would have done anything to make it go away. Does your son go to speech and if yes, have you noticed any difference? We're here for you if you want/need to vent.

 

[Goofyluver]

As a speech therapist, this appalls me. I hope she was embarrassed. And, I hope this has taught her a lesson. As the mother of a special needs child, this just ticks me off. Don't hesitate to go in on Monday and let it be known what occurred. Good luck to you and your son!

 

[DiamondD]

Your poor DS.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

If this teacher is that clueless (I mean JUST HOW long does it take to realize that having a paraprofessional means that there is a problem), then there really should be a talk with her and the principal about that kind of behavior. This teacher doesn't need to be treating any student that way.
Even if a child doesn't have a paraprofessional with them, you still don't know what kind of problems a child might have..... Gee!
Kim

 

[I Love Pluto]

She apologized - thank goodness. BUT - she should have followed that up with a phone call to you. She is human, and she made a mistake. It was a very large mistake - and one that could really upset your child.

If there is ANY chance of a child being upset, a phone call to that child's parent(s) should have followed. An apology to the parent as well as the child is in order here.