I want to hear from all of you!!!!!

Please post to my e-mail directly Lori@allislandspeech.com. I would like to hear from you any suggestions for adults, kids, teens. Any questions from SLPs gladly answered. I would love to chat. My e-mail is Lori@allislandspeech.com. Website is
www.allislandspeech.com.

Speecheasy follow up help

I am available to work with you using your speecheasy device. I am a certified follow up SLP. I don't dispense the device but will help you use it with therapy if you have it.

Do I say my name or run out of the room?

So you are sitting in a circle in school or at a business meeting, the teacher/presenter says, "Let's go around the room and introduce ourselves". Most stutterers want to hide. How many of us can't say our name in this situation? I was the expert on going to the bathroom during this time, having to make a phone call or faking a coughing spell. Anything and I mean anything to get out of the room. Sometimes it worked and they skipped me, but I usually felt deep shame inside. I felt invisible. So what are my options now.? The first is to continue to remain invisible. The second is to voluntary stutter and let the cat out of the bag, ex: my my my name is Lori. The third is to try and breathe and use my tools. I would choose # 3 first and then revert to #2 if I really panicked. I would recommend to conquer the fear. It gets easier. Ask yourself, if I stutter, what would happen? Would anyone really care? If you said, bear with me I stutter sometimes and then said your name, wouldn't most people be understanding? Is it worse to face the fear head on or escape? This is why it is soooo important to practice your tools when your don't need it, so you have it under stressful times.

Practice Group for older teens and Adults Feb. 26, 2009

Attention all my fellow people who stutter who want to work on fluency-Let me help you! Monthly practice group for current clients and graduates of Hollins, AIS, and my intensive or weekly programs. Great opportunity to practice targets with others and improve fluency in my Plainview office. 8 to 9:30 $20 payable at door. Please RSVP to Lori@allislandspeech.com.

Basic Information on Stuttering-Preschool Review

HI all-
Thanks for reading my blog. I have been asked several questions by parents of preschoolers who stutter. Some basic facts (which can also be looked up on my website www.allislandspeech.com, www.westutter.org and www.stutteringhelp.org)

More boys stutter than girls
There is often a genetic component
Approx. 75-80% will stop stuttering before age 3
Stuttering for more than 5 months is a risk factor
Presence of struggle and awareness is a risk factor
Presence of the Schwa vowel is a risk factor (ex: tu instead of two)
Any change in pitch is a risk factor
Although parents DO NOT cause stuttering, there are several ways to modify the environment to facilitate fluent speech

These are only a short list, please consult me or above references for more info. It is VITAL to consult a SLP who specializes in Fluency Disorders. I am presently awaiting board approval for the distinguished title of BRS-FD (Board Recognition Specialist in Fluency Disorders). I have read in excess of 100 hours of cont. education related to fluency, observed specialists in the field, been mentored by a terrific SLP, Dr. Donna Cooperman, who is an ASHA Fellow. The requirements are rigorous. Also, I stutter myself and am recovering. Please don't wait if you suspect your child is stuttering.

An example:
For the first time in 17 years, I received an early intervention referral through the department of Health. This was a 2 year 6 month old little boy struggling to speak. He stuttered so severely from approximately the age of 2. Stuttering ran in the family. He was initially denied EI services as EI deals mainly with delayed language. This family fought for the service and got it. It has been wonderful. We have all worked to modify the environment and employ a few other strategies. In two months, he is still stuttering, but with MUCH LESS severity. He is not struggling as much and saying what he wants. So nice to see!

International, out of state and therapy on the computer

Please contact me. I can do this for fluency therapy and would be more than happy to work with you, via webcam. Lori@allislandspeech.com or 516-776-0184, contact Lori. Can't wait to hear from you!!

Apple I touch, I phone, Ipod-Great for practice-School aged kids and adults

HI all-
As most of you know, I am still in the learning process of technology. I learn more from the teenagers everyday. I am starting a podcast that anyone can download for practice. I am also developing follow up therapy via the computer for anyone who has a camera on the computer. It will be more affordable for long term therapy. I encourage this for the international and out of state clients especially. Ideally, face to face therapy is best, but for those who can't do this for logistics or financial reasons, there are other options available. Please contact me either via phone 516-776-0184 or e-mail Lori@allislandspeech.com. tks PS Any updates on technology is always appreciated!!

The Speech Easy

I recently have gotten several calls inquiring about the speech easy device by Janus. I know two people who had it following intensive speech therapy. One was a doctor and considered it a tool in his box, so to speak. The other was a psychologist who wore it consistently for two years and then weaned himself off it after practicing every day. Many people have told me they can't wear it because of the buzz in their ear. My fear as a person who stutters is that many people are buying it and assuming it is a miracle cure. It is not and please don't be fooled by the reports from Oprah. I have never tried it because I don't stutter severely anymore and honestly it is very expensive!! I also think I can achieve the same results with you by slowing down your speech in therapy to a rate where you can't possibly stutter. Of course, this is something you can't wear but can record on the Apple I touch or Apple I phone, from what the teenagers have told me.

Even if you purchase it, therapy is needed along with it. I would be happy to work with anyone who has it. Just please be careful when purchasing it that it is something you are planning to consistently wear. I would not recommend it for kids. I know one family of an 8 year old who tried it for a month. Their son wouldn't wear it and luckily they could bring it back. He is doing beautifully in fluency therapy now. It is very expensive so please think and research its effectiveness before buying it. I would be happy to help you with this. Also, please remember that I offer student discounts for intensive therapy. Thanks for reading this! Have a good day! Hopefully my website will be back and running today after it is uopdated.

Remember, there is help out to improve fluency. Stuttering can be menaged and your communication skills can be improved. I did this and so can you!! Don't wait to get help!!

Intensive Therapy vs weekly therapy for stuttering

Many of you have asked me what the difference is between short term intensive therapy with long term follow up vs. weekly therapy. I can say I have seen both have positive effects on fluency. Generally, the more severe the stuttering, the more intensive the therapy. I say why stutter severely if you can learn how to be more fluent and manage stuttering in everyday life? For me, intensive therapy with long term follow up worked. For others, weekly therapy is preferred.

How can I help you? I can help you learn how to help you coordinate your breathing. I can help you connect your words. I can help you not let stuttering control you. I can help you become more fluent!!!! Lori@allislandspeech.com, www.allislandspeech.com