Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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.

Monday, February 23, 2009

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.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

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.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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!

Friday, February 13, 2009

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!!