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Category: Parent's Blog
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Published: Wednesday, 06 November 2013 10:54
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Written by Mary Rose Labandelo
Paperboy is a story about an 11 year old boy who stutters. It is part memoir and part fiction, written by Vince Vawter. For over 60 years the author “stuttered fiercely, sometimes gently” yet he was able to overcome his speech impediment and lead a successful career in newspapers. The backdrop of the novel is Memphis 1959 – segregation is the norm. Two major themes explored in Paperboy are the speech challenge the protagonist experiences, and the racial tension in the South.
As a person who stutters, I was able to relate to the Paperboy’s inner turmoil. Overwhelmed by speaking, the Paperboy substitutes words. He calls his best friend "Rat" because it is easier to say. He blocks on words and cannot say his name. He also feels ashamed when he can not order food at a restaurant, and everyone at his table laughs.
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Category: Parent's Blog
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Published: Monday, 02 September 2013 06:37
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Written by Lisa Wilder
A discussion of the paper A Natural History of Stuttering to 4 Years of Age: A Prospective Community-Based Study, by Sheena Reilly, PhD; Mark Onslow, PhD; Ann Packman, PhD; Eileen Cinia; Laura Conway; Obioha C. Ukoumunne, PhD; Edith L. Bavin, PhD; Margot Prior, PhD; Patricia Eadie, PhD, Susan Block, PhD; and Melissa Wake, MD. Published in Pediatrics, online August 26, 2013
An Australian Research Centre has recently published results of a study examining the onset of stuttering and its effects on preschoolers, up to age 4. The controversial results, and the circulation of the study in the media, have attracted widespread attention.
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