Over the summer, John has had some practice being around kids who ridiculed his speech.

Not easy for Mom to step back, and teach him how to self-advocate.  

It is far easier to hover and try to shield him from the hurt of others.   But then I fail to give him tools for the next time.

Because the next time will come.  Won’t it?

So, we have these little signs in the home.  We practice saying in a strong voice this straightforward sentence:  “It is wrong to hurt other people”.  Practice helps John with a quicker reaction of what to do.

John can stand up for himself appropriately (kinda) to family.   Easier for John to say this to people he loves and is comfortable with than to other kids.

The unknown is more sensory stressful.    So he turns away and avoids.   He clutches (imperfect auditory processing and flow of receptive speech to expressive speech), and then knows he can’t keep up in said words.

This has happened twice that I know of on playgrounds, and twice someone has stuck up for him.

It will happen again.   Will there always be a friend to fight his war for him?

When this happens around me, I always try to help kids to understand what it feels like “when their tongues don’t work”.   I tell them to grab their tongues (I grab my own tongue), and then try to talk.   They get it.

And we extend the teachable moment by laughing and trying to say sentences together.

Also, a thank you, The Forsberg Law Firm, P.C., for sharing this 4-page Bullying Tip Sheet (more info at StopBullying.gov)

Best,

Gayle