How Groot Helped a Child With Dyspraxia Learn to Speak

Recommended Videos

I love making movies because of stories like this. Thank you.

Posted by James Gunn on Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Dyspraxia, a condition that affects a child’s motor functions, can sometimes affect a child’s ability to enunciate, making it difficult for them to communicate. That was the case for Josh Dunlap’s son, Sawyer, who recently shared a story on Facebook with James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy. In the story, he says that his son is affected with this condition, but after watching Guardians, he began to notice a few positive changes in his son’s behavior. More than that, he noticed that Sawyer latched onto a specific character whose odd manner of speech helped him communicate better: Groot.

In the full Facebook post, Dunlap said:

He began to mimic him and he would use the word “Bah” for a lot, but after he saw the film, he would change the tone in which he said it to convey a different meaning. He would also start saying Groot for many things as well.

From there, they’ve moved on to speech classes, and he’s been slowly getting better at communicating. Gunn responded in a comment, saying:

I have many friends who get a lot of negative messages online – I’m very grateful for the huge, vast majority of positive and kind people who follow me here, on Twitter, and Instagram. I get to hear stories like this, and then read all the amazing comments [below]. Truly wonderful.

Saving the galaxy, one child at a time. You go, Groot.

groot dance

(via Uproxx)

—Please make note of The Mary Sue’s general comment policy.—

Do you follow The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ Prequel Starring Julia Garner Heads Straight to Paramount+
Mia Farrow in 'Rosemary's Baby' opposite Julia Garner in 'The Assistant'
Read Article The Ending of ‘Challengers’ Is a Lot To Take In
Mike Faist, Zendaya, and Josh O'Connor sitting on a bed together
Read Article ‘Challengers’ Is Meant To Be Up to Your Interpretation
Zendaya and Mike Faist sitting at a table eating in Challengers
Read Article Hold onto Your Mithril! The Extended ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy Returns to Theaters
Poster art for 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'.
Read Article Jennifer Aniston and Diablo Cody Are Rebooting a Feminist Masterpiece
Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton have Dabney Coleman tied up in '9 to 5'.
Related Content
Read Article ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ Prequel Starring Julia Garner Heads Straight to Paramount+
Mia Farrow in 'Rosemary's Baby' opposite Julia Garner in 'The Assistant'
Read Article The Ending of ‘Challengers’ Is a Lot To Take In
Mike Faist, Zendaya, and Josh O'Connor sitting on a bed together
Read Article ‘Challengers’ Is Meant To Be Up to Your Interpretation
Zendaya and Mike Faist sitting at a table eating in Challengers
Read Article Hold onto Your Mithril! The Extended ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy Returns to Theaters
Poster art for 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'.
Read Article Jennifer Aniston and Diablo Cody Are Rebooting a Feminist Masterpiece
Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton have Dabney Coleman tied up in '9 to 5'.
Author
Jessica Lachenal
Jessica Lachenal is a writer who doesn’t talk about herself a lot, so she isn’t quite sure how biographical info panels should work. But here we go anyway. She's the Weekend Editor for The Mary Sue, a Contributing Writer for The Bold Italic (thebolditalic.com), and a Staff Writer for Spinning Platters (spinningplatters.com). She's also been featured in Model View Culture and Frontiers LA magazine, and on Autostraddle. She hopes this has been as awkward for you as it has been for her.