"You didn't cause this!” How an SLP can empower parents of children who stutter

Understanding the life experiences of students who stutter and their families is an essential part of successful therapy planning. Join Suzie, a mom of two children who stutter, and Hudson, a 15-year old on his own journey of navigating stuttering as they share some of the successes and challenges that they have faced in the therapy room, at school, and at home. These stories will provide practical strategies for SLPs to enhance support for students who stutter and their families. Experiential learning at its best!

In this course, you will hear real life stories from a parent of a teen that stutters. The stories include how much blame a parent can put on themselves until they are more informed about stuttering, and how parents and SLPs can work together to make home, school, and daily life a place where everyone belongs. Successes and failures in the therapy room, academic setting, and in family journeys will bring SLPs new perspectives of how to support students who stutter and their families.

Presenters

Suzie + Hudson Van Sickle
Suzie Van Sickle is a mother of three boys living in Frisco, Texas. She has a master's degree in educational leadership and was a public school teacher before staying home to care for her sons. In 2022, Suzie returned to the public school setting as a part-time accelerated reading teacher.

Hudson is a high school freshman that has goals to swim in college and beyond! Apart from swim teams, Hudson enjoys video games, making music, and streaming in his free time.

Learning Objectives

1. Formulate at least two accommodation options for students with speech disorders and co-existing learning disabilities & anxiety.
2. Describe how some parents and teens feel about living with stuttering and how partnering with the SLPs to create a safe place for all.
3. Explain to teachers how to better work with students with speech disorders such as stuttering.

Agenda

10 minutes	How Suzie came to terms with having two children who stutter.
10 minutes	What do the school accommodations look like for us?
10 minutes	Suzie's son Hudson shares parts of his ongoing story of stuttering and what he needs from SLPs and listeners

Disclosures

Financial Disclosures:	Suzie Van Sickle was compensated from Bright Idea Media for this presentation.
Non-Financial Disclosures:	Suzie Van Sickle has no non-financial relationships to disclose.
Content Disclosures:	Suzie Van Sickle has no additional content information to disclose.

ASHA

This course is offered for .05 ASHA CEUs, Intermediate Level, Professional Area

"You didn't cause this!” How an SLP can empower parents of children who stutter: $10.00
In this powerful session, hear directly from a teen who stutters and his mother as they share personal experiences navigating therapy, school, and home life. Their stories offer practical strategies SLPs can use to provide more meaningful, family-centered support. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

Add-ons

Beyond the Stutter: Listening, Supporting, and Empowering

$10.00

In this course, Jia, a person who stutters, shares her story and the deeper emotional and social experiences of stuttering. Designed for families, SLPs, and allies, this session offers practical strategies to create safe spaces, empower self-advocacy, and move beyond fluency-centered therapy. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

From Diagnosis to Advocacy: The Stuttering Community Can Help

$10.00

This 30-minute course offers powerful stories and perspectives from the stuttering community, helping SLPs build empathy and deliver more compassionate, informed support to individuals who stutter and their families. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

Calm, Cool, and… Completely Losing It Inside

$10.00

This course offers a parent’s perspective on the emotional journey of raising a child who stutters and provides clinical insights for delivering truly family-centered care. Learn how to guide parents through uncertainty, help them find community, and foster confidence at home and beyond. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

$10.00

In this course, Gareth, a startup founder who stutters, shares his lived experiences to shed light on the everyday barriers faced by people who stutter. SLPs and caregivers will gain practical strategies to foster inclusion and offer meaningful support beyond the therapy room. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

Stuttering through Childhood, Academia, Wall Street and Big Tech

$10.00

George Daquila shares how a lifetime of stuttering has shaped his identity, leadership style, and personal growth—from childhood uncertainty to leading teams at Goldman Sachs and Google. Through personal stories, he explores how reframing stuttering as a strength and receiving support from family, friends, and professionals transformed his journey. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.