Teens and Speech

[Heather McCarty]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with unschooling teens and speech issues, or any thoughts about this situation. My son(now 16) has had a mild stutter since he was maybe 3-4 years old. He has been to speech therapy (we live near Ithaca College and he has gone to their speech clinic) on and off, first because his dad wanted him to go, and later because he himself wanted some help. It may have helped a little bit but was no miracle. He has also been to see a constitutional homeopath with some temporary relief.

He is at the moment feeling very frustrated about it. He really wants have meeting new people and embarking on new adventures be easier. Right now the stutter manifests as an inability to say some words - such as his name, or the name of the instrument he plays. His anxiety about it can lead to choosing to avoid situations and to not do things he would really like to do. Conversations he would like to continue are interrupted- sometimes before they really start.

thanks-

Heather