I remember sitting in speech therapy at the age of 5 wondering why I was there. I remember the speech therapist asking me to put on a play for my parents. I am still not sure why, but I knew even at that young age I was not going to stutter. It was embarrassing and humiliating to me. This was difficult on my parents. How could I stutter so severely that I couldn’t say my name one minute and walk into the speech room and not stutter once the next? I can tell you that I was very aware of my stuttering early on and knew how to avoid words that I stuttered on. I said “I don’t know” often and many times I nodded. I was viewed at as being shy and a difficult child. This was not the best for my self esteem. My message is get help early by someone experienced in stuttering. I also recommend the Lidcombe Program for Early Childhood Stuttering as I have had huge success in eliminating stuttering in children under age 7. Thanks for reading!
Childhood Stuttering-Never wait!
Posted On: January 12th, 2012
How Do We Define Success-Some Personal Stories
Posted On: December 15th, 2011
Happy Holidays to all!! It is often asked how we define sucess with stuttering therapy? Is it based upon how fluent one is? Is it defined as how courageously we stutter? OR Is Success different to different people?
This is how success is defined by many of my clients:
1 A 16 yr old who says he presented in front of a class with less stuttering and also really enjoyed the whole experience.
2. A 12 year old who was able to order his own meal in a restaurant.
3. A parent of a 4 year old who said her daughter asks when she can do smooth speech with her mother because it is so easy for her to speak now.
4. A speech pathologist who stutters who is presenting at the Long Island Speech and Hearing Association for the first time in front of speech pathologists for 3 hours.
5. A 15 year old who told his classmate he stutters and to stop teasing him (and the bully actually stopped and apologized).
.6. A 7 year old b oy who told his friends what stuttering is.
7. An adult who can now talk to his patients without blocking and avoiding eye contact.
8. A 22 year old who changed his major in college to one that requires speaking because he now knows he can communicate effectively.
I thought you might enjoy this. Some define sucess by improved fluency or in the case of a preschooler eliminating stuttering. Otherwise found the decreased fear and shame associated with stuttering equally fulfilling. Most like the idea of stuttering less. In summary, stuttering is not easy and I admire each and every person I work with for their courage and determination. I also admire the parents who love their children unconditionally and work so hard to help them. Happy Holiday season to all and happy and healthy New Year! May it be a peaceful and healthy 2012 for all!!!
Elementary school aged children-stuttering
Posted On: November 27th, 2011
Some suggestions for this age group:
1. If your child is receiving therapy in school, please check the frequency of therapy, the children they are grouped with (are they the only child who stutters in a group?) and the type of therapy provided?-Is the speech pathologist trained in stuttering therapy?
2. It is best at this age if parents are very involved with therapy? Some questions to ask yourself:
What is my child working on in speech?
How can I work with them daily?
Is their stuttering decreasing?
At this early age we try to eliminate it or decrease it significantly. Any other info needed, please contact me. Lori@allislandspeech.com www.allislandspeech.com
516-776-0184
Highly successful programs available to attempt to eliminate stuttering-Early Intervention is key!!!
Great article Lidcombe StutteringTherapy-please read
Posted On: November 10th, 2011
http://www.stammering.org/lidcombe_info.html
Hi everyone-PLease note that stuttering in Britain is called stammering. I hope this helps. I just discnarged another six year old who is now stutter free. This program cannot be done in the schools as it requires parent involvement and must be done not only by a lidcombe trained SLP, but one who specializes in stuttering thera;y. Any questions, please ask. tks Lori
Parent Support group Nov. 13 for stuttering -free
Please don’t wait-Early Intervention is powerful-stuttering
Posted On: September 23rd, 2011
Lori,
I just have to say how thrilled we are with Braden’s progress through the Lidcombe program. Braden began speaking at a very young age, so you can imagine our concern when he also developed a stutter before he turned 2. Everyone told us “don’t worry, he’ll grow out of it”… but he didn’t grow out of it, it only got progressively worse and then the secondary characteristics (blinking his eyes, getting frustrated) appeared. But the day he told said “Mommy, I don’t want to talk anymore” was the day I knew we needed to do something about it.
Braden has been in the Lidcombe program for less than a year and he stutter is almost completely gone. It brings me such joy to listen to him talk and carry on conversations with us and his friends with no trouble and compete confidence. My gut tells me that he would not have outgrown this on his own. Lori, you have been so amazing through his process and your guidance and persistence has helped us to guide his progress. He always looks forward to “going to Lori” because you make the process so organic for young children. He feels like he’s just playing. We will be forever grateful for your compassion and dedication. You are a true advocate for all young children and for that I’m truly grateful!
Speech Struggles: Stuttering and what to do about it?
Posted On: September 22nd, 2011
http://www.parentguidenews.com/Catalog/SpecialNeeds/SpeechStruggles
This is a new article I have coming out in Oct.1
I am sorry I haven’t posted as much lately as I have been busy treating many people who stutter. It was a great summer seeing many preschoolers either eliminate stuttering or decrease it tremendously. This was effective for many age groups. Communication is vital!! Seek help early!! Also, I want to wish the college students who worked with me a great year. I will miss you. Glad the teens are still here.
NEW DVD: KING GEORGE VI-THE MAN BEHIND THE KING’S SPEECH
Posted On: August 24th, 2011
I had the pleasure of viewing the above DVD about the life of King George VI. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more details about the King and his personality. He was an incredible man who spoke on behalf of his country despite his stuttering. Please click on the link below to read more about it.
Trying to create stutter free speech for school aged children???
Posted On: July 20th, 2011
Hi everyone-
Is it possible to eliminate stuttering in school aged children? Lidcombe combined with some fluency shaping can help. Can I guarantee stuttering will be eliminated? No, but my success rate up to age 6 is fairly high. Even it has not been eliminated (in most cases , not all but most, it has been if the program has been implemented properly with weekly visits and completing maintenance). I have recently had success even up to age 7.
After age 7, we can use fluency tools to help manage stuttering and increase fluency. Call with any questions. Stuttering is my specialty and passion. I am glad to help. I also am accepting CPSE for the fall for Lidcombe. Stay cool everyone. It is very hot in NY.
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