Stuttering and Learning Disability Simulation

Shaelie Wood

Learning Disability Simulation

1.     Ask for directions to a location. Repeat back part of the directions for clarification.

I did this simulation on campus. I stood outside the ricks and asked for directions to the Kirkham. I told the two girls that I had a group meeting at the Kirkham and I had never been there before. The two girls were very nice. I actually felt that it was natural to ask for clarification because there were so many different steps to get to the Kirkham. After asking for clarification, I liked that they then used landmarks that I was familiar with to direct me to the building.

2.     Ask for help at the library. Repeat back part of the directions for help to ensure clarification.

I did this one two separate times because the first time that I asked for clarification on how to use the circuit machine on the third floor, the one girl who helped me took over and just offered to do it. I thought this was interesting because I find myself doing the same thing, that if someone is struggling with something, I tend to just do it for them so I don’t have to see them struggle.  This was a good lesson to learn to be patient with teaching and directing others rather than doing it for them. The second time I did this I asked for help with finding a particular book, it took me a while to explain exactly what I was looking for, the girl helped me find the reference number and the section and then after asking for clarification she was good about offering more help and letting me find the book on my own after her describing how to find the book.

 Stuttering:

1.While stuttering ask for help at a store.... and then ask the clerk/sales person 1-2 questions about the item you are shopping for.

I asked the girl offering samples at broulims because I felt more comfortable asking her questions because she was happy to talk to us and answer questions. She offered tortillas and I asked questions about gluten free options and how often they make the tortillas. It took me a while to get the courage to ask a second question after my first question was so butchered.  She was patient and very nice, she didn’t pay too much attention to the fact that I was having such a hard time speaking and formulating sentences.

2.     Go to a restaurant and while stuttering, order at least one item, and then ask 1-2 questions to the waiter/ress about the item.

My friend and I went to an Indian restraint over the weekend and I was super nervous about ordering food, I first ordered a drink and some curry, but I felt so hesitant and I had a hard time not laughing, I could feel my face blushing and getting red the whole time because I was nervous to speak and feel foolish. I had a good friend a few semesters that struggled with a stutter really bad, but only in conversation. She could pray in church, read fluently, and speak at the pulpit wonderfully, but one on one she stuttered. After talking to her about how she feels in public settings, and she said if she rehearses before ordering she can usually do it without too much problem, but if they ask her a question that caught her off guard she struggles more.