Not cool, 2DayFM...

Sometimes the radio station 2DayFM can discuss issues in a compassionate manner. Other times, they ought to take a hard look at themselves and rethink what they say. This is one of those times. So I was listening to 2DayFM (while driving to work yesterday), when the hosts Kyle and Jackie O are mocking one of their staff Matt for his speech impediment. And his mother joined in on mocking him too.

Not cool.

On top of it all, his mother excused herself for not getting speech therapy for her son by saying"Oh, I thought his lisp was just part of his role for a musical when he was a kid!" What a load of rubbish. He lisps all the time, and you didn't notice?

Speech impediments are nothing to mock, and that woman is a weak excuse of a mother. A real mother wouldn't mock her child's speech impediment, or humiliate him on national radio. People have become severely depressed, anxious, suffered discrimination and bullying from having speech impediments. Rant over.

Fantastic resources on speech impairment and bullying

http://www.rousseaukiks.com/BULLY_FLYER.PDF This flyer is on martial arts, but it helps busts the myths on bullying. Learning martial arts is another great way to help bullying victims learn how to stand up to bullies. Totally agreed that there are many bullies out there that ignoring the bully usually doesn't work, as they are looking for control. Bullies have average or above average self esteem. A lot of bullies lack empathy, are aggressive and suffered poor parenting. Many victims are chosen because they are anxious, vulnerable (disabled, lacking friends, poor, from another minority group) or unable to retaliate.

http://www.safeworkers.co.uk/i-suffered-workplace-discrimination-case-study.html How people with speech impairments can get help and deal with work discrimination

From http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/parents/2011/01/speech-problems-in-children.shtml :
Speakability http://www.speakability.org.uk/About+Speakability A charity run by people with aphasia for others with aphasia.

the BSA and Talking Point are all organisations that can give advice to the parents of children with speech difficulties. Another good resource is Speech Teach UK. http://www.speechteach.co.uk/index.htm  

Children's books about bullies and conflict resolution: http://www.childrensauthorsnetwork.com/author/dl/AO_Books%20About%20Bullies.pdf

http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/news/2011/bullying.html - The bullying epidemic - how speech pathologists can help stop bullying.

Speech Language Pathologists are present in virtually every school district across the country (there are more than 140,000 registered with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association), putting them close to the action of many forms of bullying. What’s more, many of the children SLPs commonly work with—those with communication disorders—are typical targets of bullying.

 

( Read more... )

 

Self defense, busting bullying and protecting children

http://karate-kids.com.au/teaching-children-martial-arts-exercise-as-punishment/ A must read on how exercise as punishment harms - whether you're old or young, physically fit or unfit.

http://karate-kids.com.au/seven-lessons-i%e2%80%99ve-learned-since-becoming-a-martial-arts-instructor-for-kids/

A martial arts instructor muses on important things he's learnt while teaching kids. I have to admit, this put a smile on my face. :) It was heartwarming and just so true.

http://karate-kids.com.au/bullying-a-parents-guide-to-prevention/ Learn tips on busting bullying and how to protect your children. Everyone has a right to be safe, especially children, who are our most vulnerable members of society.

http://www.superparents.com.au/blog/2010/06/no-one-wants-to-be-a-victim/ How to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

http://www.superparents.com.au/blog/2010/06/keep-your-child-safe-online-3-parenting-tips/ Protect your child online with these valuable tips!

http://www.child-safety.com.au/2010/06/stranger-danger-taught-correctly.html Learn how to teach your children about stranger danger - the RIGHT way. Find out what your children can do when faced with this threat.