Stuttering Education

Spreading stuttering awareness throughout the schools!! I went into Mattlin Middle School in Plainview, NY to promote National Stuttering Awareness Week (which was May 11 to May 17). I talked about the importance of early intervention for preschoolers who stutter, school aged stuttering and the importance of following your dreams in life. I spoke to 50 bright and wonderful children and their teachers. A few of them knew people who stutter. I never talked in this middle school. My daughter attends Mattlin and I graduated from the same school district. I never thought I would be so fluent or comfortable talking in front of a crowd. I never ever raised my hand in class or participated when I was younger. I sat with my head down and prayed no one would notice me. I am happy to say this was a very positive experience!! I have to thank the National Stuttering Association for helping me for overcoming my fear of public speaking.

So kids, always follow your heart and dreams. I overcame a severe stuttering problem to be a speech pathologist. I still stutter but use fluency shaping tools and stuttering education to be as fluent as I can be. I want to also thank my daughters who encouraged me to do this and for supporting me. They make me proud and give me strength. I also want to thank my daughter's teachers who realized the importance of stuttering awareness and promoting tolerance. I would like to continue this at local schools and universities!! Hope to hear from everyone soon!

P.A.C.E. Towards Fluency- NEW Preschool Program

Watch for NEW preschool program-very effective results:

P.A.C.E. Towards Fluency

Effective resuls-taken from Lidcombe program and modified:
Please go onto Yahoo groups:
Parentssupportlidcombe@yahoogroups



Looking for grad SLP students to help promote stuttering awareness-contact Lori@allislandspeech.com
Thank you all for your support and reading my posts!!

Lidcombe: Preschool Program for Early Childhood Stuttering

I hope everyone joins Parentssupportlidcombe@yahoogroups.com to hear success stories. I have seen such wonderful success with the program. I developed P.A.C.E. to incorporate parent counseling along with aspects of Lidcombe!! Many of these kids are now stutter free! Wonderful preschool intervention.

Lost in Silence

Recently I was asked how I got over avoiding the phone and other fears that I had. It is so hard to answer that because it was a combination of things. People have asked if I provide therapy that deals with this management of fears. Yes, of course I do. I have lived this life. I was so lost in silence for years and felt like I was failing myself. I stopped complaining about practicing and just did it. I made myself answer the phone, speak in meetings and talk to doctors. I stopped filling my gas tank up and starting saying "fill it up" (as long it wasn't more money for full serve). In other words, I mattered and I didn't want to be lost in silence anymore. Was it easy? NO!! Did it happen overnight? NO!!! It was pure torture and many times I wanted to run away. However, I am here to tell you it got easier and it will for you too. It's important to know others who stutter. I have known my friend Lisa for almost 30 years. She stutters also and she has been my rock!! She has always inspired me and we have always been able to call each other if we have a bad day or to practice.

I would love to hear from all of you regarding your fears and stuttering.

Also, I have availability for two teens to work on fluency management together. I find this is cost effective and helps with practice. As most of you know, I am trying hard to reach out to the younger population. Please e-mail if interested.

National Stuttering Support Groups-Kids and Teens

Hi all-
Dr. Jason Davidow and I are trying to figure out the best day to start our support and practice group for kids and teens who stutter. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We are also in need of parents to help and serve as a co-leader. Please e-mail me if you are interested. Our first meeting is June 4, 2009 at Hofstra University. All teens who stutter and their families are welcome. Jason and I are both SLPs who stutter. Together we are strong!!! Please contact Lori at Lori@allislandspeech.com if interested.

Saying Your Name and Reducing Anxiety

Many of you have e-mailed me directly sharing your experiences saying your name. I want to thank all of you for sharing with me and being so open. Many have you said you run out of the room for fear of sounding different or being perceived as "stupid". I hear you and have been there. So what do we do about this?

I think we have to acknowledge that fear is an emotion. It is a very real emotion, but it can be paralyzing. You really need your fluency tools in these situations to not stutter, but the anxiety has to be addressed to allow the tools to be able to be effectively used. I would start by asking yourself how you feel after you flee? Do you feel better or do you still have that dreaded anxiety? Try and disassociate yourself from the event. In other words, visualize the event and remove yourself as if you were a spectator watching. Wouldn't you want that person to stay and be a part of the group? Would you laugh at someone else if they said they stutter and to bear with them as they try and use their fluency tools? People laugh out of ignorance. They don't know about stuttering and many people have never met anyone who stutters. I am not forgiving the laughter or strange expressions, but the education about stuttering may lead to empowerment on your part.

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.

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