University News Last updated 25 October 2019
The hidden disability of stammering can lead to children and adults being subjected to ‘bullying, prejudice and discrimination’ a leading speech and language therapist has warned.
Marking International Stammering Awareness Day, Gillian Rudd Senior Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy at Birmingham City University, said that championing the success of people with stammers was crucial to ‘tackling misconceptions’ about the condition.
Birmingham City University opened its doors for a series of talks, sharing people’s experiences of living and working with a stammer to mark the day as well as screening a short film.
In partnership with Birmingham Stammering Network, the University welcomed six speakers and over 50 members of the public to learn more about the condition.
Stammering is a complex neurological condition affecting the fluency of peoples’ speech and affects millions of people across the world.
During the event Gillian Rudd warned a lack of awareness and understanding could have ‘significant consequences’ for those with stammers.
She said: “Stammering affects up to 8 per cent of the population and yet, as a hidden disability, many people remain unsure about what it is and how to react.
“Building on the British Stammering Association’s innovative STAMMA campaign, this year’s International Stammering Awareness Day event in Birmingham provided a unique opportunity to break down those barriers and tackle misconceptions by creating an opportunity for attendees to learn about stammering directly from the experts – people who stammer from across the UK, who generously shared their work and stories over the course of the evening.”
Birmingham City University has been running its Speech and Language Therapy course for over 50 years, training the next generation of therapists to support people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties, including those that stammer.
The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and delivered at the West Midlands’ only training site for speech and language therapists – as well as being the largest provider of qualified staff to the NHS and social care professions.
Among those sharing their stories of life with a stammer at the event was Mandy Taylor, Vice Chair of the British Stammering Association. She said: "Events like these are so important so that not only do people who need support know where to find it but we can also show people we are just like everyone else, we have dreams and ambitions, success stories and people to look up to.
International Stammering Awareness Day also saw Birmingham City University alumnus, Abed Ahmed, and Senior Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy, Gillian Rudd, take over ex-goalkeeper Neville Southall’s Twitter account and lead a lively online discussion on stammering.
Those interested in a career in Speech and Language Therapy can find out more at Birmingham City University’s Open Day, on Sunday 24 November.