1. www.stutteringhelp.org • 1-800-992-9392 • www.tartamudez.org
T HE S TUTTERING F OUNDATION
A Nonprofit Organization FALL 2007 Since 1947... Helping Those Who Stutter
Auditory cortex,
altered auditory World congress
feedback and unites groups
developmental
stuttering
Initial studies of SpeechEasy
Anne L. Foundas, M.D.
and Edward G. Conture, Ph.D.
Editor’s note: The Stuttering
Foundation is pleased to support
Our knowl-
this new research.
edge of the bio-
logical bases of
developmental
stuttering has
been greatly en-
hanced by recent
results of brain
imaging and
physiological people who stutter.
Fraser honored in medieval setting
The event was held in
Anne L.
studies. Taken
In May, the International
Foundas, M.D.
Mark Irwin
together, these
complementary Stuttering Association, the Cavtat, a picturesque coastal
methods have umbrella organization repre- town on the southern tip of
begun to provide senting 45 self-help groups the Republic of Croatia.
converging evi- throughout the world, held Delegates from 43 coun-
dence about the
its 8th World Congress for tries comprised the more
brain regions
that may be af-
fected in indi-
Edward G. Continued on page 8
Photos: Terrace of fortress in Dubrovnik. Top right: Joseph Lukong of Cameroon with a copy of the new Basic Clinical
viduals who
Skills. Center: Mel Hoffman, awards chairman of the International Stuttering Association, presents the Outstanding
Conture, Ph.D.
stutter. For example, there is
Service Award to SFA President Jane Fraser. Bottom: Jennifer Tseng of Taiwan and Zong-Shan Li of China discuss
translations of SFA materials.
strong evidence that dysfunctions
With funding from the
Continued on page 12 Searching for predictors of chronic stuttering
NIH’s National Institute on
Anne Smith, Ph.D.,
I am pleased to have this Deafness and Other
Purdue University
Rocket Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 opportunity to update you Communication Disorders,
we have been recruiting 4
Inside...
Bob Love documentary . . . . . . 3 on the progress of the
SpeechEasy outside the lab . . . 3 Purdue Stuttering Project and 5-year-olds, and we
Web site a summertime hit. . . . 4 over the past year. You will be following them
SFA workshops reach out . . . . 6 may recall from my earlier yearly for a period of 5
article that we are engaged Anne Smith, Ph.D. years (that is, if our project
Letters from young readers . . 10
in a longitudinal study of is renewed — money is
New MySpace page . . . . . . . . 11
young children who stutter and very tight at NIH these days, so
Interview with Eric Roberts . . 13
their normally fluent controls. Continued on page 2

2. 2 www.stutteringhelp.org 60 1-800-992-9392
Years
of Service
Rocket Science Jane Fraser and Joe Fulcher
blasts off meet with U.S. Congressman
Frank R. Wolf, a longtime sup-
Peter Reitzes, M.A., CCC-SLP, porter of the Stuttering
film Rocket Science not only as a
shares his comments on the new Foundation. In 2006, the con-
gressman drew attention to child-
hood stuttering after he submit-
speech pathologist, but also as a ted an article about Tiger Woods
person who stutters. His insights from the SFA newsletter to the
may provide direction for those Congressional Record. K
who want to see this film.
I saw Rocket Science and it is
absolutely a wonderful movie. It stutter (CWS) and 13 children who
really felt good and are normally developing (CND).
validating to see keep your fingers crossed for us!). What we have found is that the
Smith Continued from front page
such a likable char- In our first year of the longitudi- CWS and the CND have the same
acter as Hal (the nal study, we have tested 34 chil- average rate of clapping; both
high-schooler who dren who stutter on an extensive groups tend to speed up when the
stutters) struggle in set of experimental protocols that beat goes off. Concerning the
all the same ways includes recording variability of their
that I struggled in Jeffrey Blitz, orofacial move- clapping, we com-
high school. ments and muscle 4 and 5-year-olds pute a statistic that
... about 60% of
As far as being Rocket Science activity during who are stuttering reflects their vari-
who wrote and
appropriate for speech, testing ability in percent.
directed
teens, Rocket Science certainly basic timing ability are unusually poor The range of vari-
touches on some difficult topics. in a hand clapping ability in percent
Some of the people around Hal task, and recording for the normally de-
at keeping time
treat him as a broken person. the electrical activ- veloping children
compared to
When I was in Hal’s shoes, I cer- ity of the brain was 5 to 13%.
their normally
tainly felt broken as well. I am (EEG) while the developing peers. Interestingly, 10 of
working now with a teen and I men- children watch a video about a the 17 CWS had variability percent-
tioned the film to the family. I was young penguin named “Pingu.” ages outside the range of the CND.
very careful to make it clear to the We have analyzed some of our These 10 CWS had greater variabili-
family that this movie could trigger “year 1” data, and many exciting ty percentages than any of the CND,
some painful memories and feel- results have come to light. and these ranged from 15 to 32%!
ings in their son. A teen may need I have space here to describe From these early analyses, we con-
support digesting this film. My one of these new findings. We in- clude that about 60% of 4 and 5-
buddy and I who went to see it were cluded the clapping task in our year-olds who are stuttering are un-
extremely moved by the film and protocol, because scientists study- usually poor at keeping time com-
really needed to talk about it after- ing motor behavior have used bi- pared to their normally developing
wards. It is funny, beautiful and manual hand clapping as a classi- peers.
hard all at the same time. cal way to examine the brain’s One overall goal of the project is
One thing to keep in mind is that ability to “keep time.” to be able to predict which of the
Rocket Science is not a perfect end- The children are asked to clap children who are stuttering are most
ing story. It presents stuttering as their hands in time with a likely to develop a chronic stutter-
hard and it ends with Hal finding metronome beat. After clapping ing problem. Are these children
with the beat for about 15 claps, the who are poor at a basic timing task
beat goes off, and the children are at greater risk for chronic stuttering?
asked to keep clapping until we Is this a sign that their young brains
Continued on page 12
have about 30 unpaced claps. We have motor timing circuitry that is
ask the kids to do this several times. developing atypically?
Our data analysis consists of an- These are some of the questions
alyzing the unpaced claps, so that we hope to be able to answer after
we can determine (1) if they were following these children for five
faster or slower than the target rate years. I look forward to updating
they were trying to maintain, and you again in the future as more of
(2) how variable they were in keep- our experiments reveal more about
ing up this rate. So far, we have an- the physiological characteristics of
alyzed data from 17 children who these stuttering children.
The movie’s main character Hal gives a
speech in front of his class. K

3. 60 1-800-992-9392 3
Years
FALL 2007 of Service
Documentary shares Bob Love’s story
Bob Love has dreamt about Bob Love’s battle to overcome his
being a great public speaker since most formidable opponent, his stut-
his early days in Bastrop tering, to become one of the most
Louisiana, even though, as a sought after motivational speakers
young man, he could barely put in the country.
two words together, let alone In Find Yourself A Dream, Bob’s
Ryan Pollard, Peter R. Ramig, Don
speak a full sentence. life is depicted through interviews,
Finan, and John B. Ellis, M.S.
In spite of his archival basket-
Recent study reports
severe stuttering ball game
disability, Bob footage and on-
on SpeechEasy use
Love, the son of location scenes
within extra-clinical
a sharecropper, with family
environments
rose to become members, old
a Chicago Bulls friends, fans, and
Ryan Pollard, John B. Ellis,
NBA superstar, teammates.
M.S., Don Finan, Ph.D., and
whose records There are on-
Peter R. Ramig, Ph.D.
were eventually from the documentary. camera inter- Electronic devices that deliv-
University of Colorado - Boulder
surpassed by views with NBA er altered auditory feedback
These are behind the scene pictures
Michael Jordan. Commissioner (AAF) have been used for sev-
Throughout his David Stern; eral decades to help reduce stut-
entire athletic Chicago Bulls tering (Bloodstein, 1995). The
career, Bob owner Jerry SpeechEasy, introduced to con-
Love kept his Reinsdorf; sumers in 2001, is one of the
stuttering a se- Chicago Bulls more recent AAF devices avail-
cret from the superstar Michael able to individuals who stutter.
fans who adored Jordan, and oth- In contrast to the often conspic-
him, thinking he ers. The docu- uous and cumbersome nature of
could do his mentary also in- earlier electronic fluency aids,
“talking” on the cludes a montage the SpeechEasy is comparative-
basketball court. of positive and ly small and cosmetically pleas-
After a career inspirational com- ing, and thus more appealing to
ending back in- ments about what some consumers.
jury he was told Bob Love has Recently, researchers at the
by doctors that meant to them University of Colorado at Boulder
he would have and their sport examined the effects of the
difficulty walk- from basketball SpeechEasy over six months of
ing, let alone greats like Oscar continual use. The purpose of the
play the game he Robertson, project was to gather Phase I treat-
loved. He could Shaquille O’Neal, ment outcome research about the
no longer hide Bill Russell, and SpeechEasy in more naturalistic
his inability to others. settings. Unlike previous
speak, and his A Web site, SpeechEasy research (e.g., Stuart
life spiraled out www.findyour et al., 2006), this study collected
of control. selfadream.com, periodic speech samples outside of
will feature the laboratory to more accurately
Bob’s basketball assess the device’s real-world ef-
Find Yourself A
Love Story is a statistics, fan in- fectiveness. Subjects were record-
Dream – The Bob
one hour docu- terviews and ed while reading aloud, convers-
Bob Love speaks with Susan
mentary about the photos, as well ing with a researcher, and asking a
Hamilton, his former therapist.
inspirational true as video and question to a stranger. After a
Susan now leads the Western
story of Chicago Bulls legendary original music from the DVD. month-long baseline phase, sub-
Workshop, see page 6.
basketball player, Bob "Butterbean" For more information about the jects wore a custom-fitted
Love. Written and directed by award documentary, Bob’s National SpeechEasy device for four
winning director, Jim White, its School Speaking Tour, or the up- months. After this treatment
message is about achieving one’s coming feature film “Butterbean,” phase, subjects continued to be
goals, no matter how difficult, and please contact: Steve Kennedy or monitored for an additional month
the importance of an education in Jay Rizzo at 312-368-0429, or
reaching those goals. It chronicles info@americasfilmfund.com. K
Continued on page 8

4. 4 www.stutteringhelp.org 60 1-800-992-9392
Years
of Service
Media gives space and time SFA Web site a
Several Stuttering Foundation ing, “There are many proven, effec-
public service ads (PSAs) are tive ways to reduce stuttering.” Did you know...
summertime hit
being printed in national publica- Parents Magazine chose to run a
tions and aired on various radio two-thirds page ad seen by more • There were 1,500,000 hits in
stations. Browse through a copy than 2 million readers. the month of July alone at
of Ladies Home You might even see www.stutteringhelp.org.
Journal, Seventeen, or a public service ad for • Highest volume date was
the SFA on your next Monday, July 30 with 73,134 hits.
Adventure and you United Airlines flight • 5 a.m. – 7 a.m. is the time peri-
National Geographic
will most likely see an in Hemispheres. od receiving the most SFA traffic.
SFA ad. Tune into In addition PSAs have
WZAK-FM 93.1, appeared in Seventeen, • SFA’s Spanish Web site
WJMO-AM 1490 in www.tartamudez.org July hits
Cleveland, Ohio, or equaled 15,000.
CosmoGirl, Bass Guitar,
WLS-AM 890 in • Most viewed streaming video
Frontiers, New York
Chicago and listen for is Stuttering: Straight Talk for
Post, Fortune, AARP,
the country music star
Penthouse, Learning,
saying, “Hi, I’m Mel • Pages most often viewed are
Good Housekeeping, Teens.
Tillis!” or 20/20 co- the five streaming videos,
Black Enterprise,
anchor John Stossel
Natural Health, and
saying, “If stuttering as well as many, many and the SFA Referral List.
Savannah Magazine,
affects you … call the others!
Famous People Who Stutter,
Stuttering Foundation SFA is dedicated • Web site viewers are located
for help.” to thanking each and all over the world, including
The Foundation provides several every one of the media outlets that Turkey, India, Japan, Poland
sizes and versions of PSAs to meet provide space and time to raising and many others.
the target audience of the publica- stuttering awareness.
K
tion. Popular PSAs are ones with Radio station KMMS out of
“famous people” raising stuttering Bozeman, Mont., recently e-
awareness. Among those featured mailed SFA saying, “Thanks for
are Chicago Bulls legendary bas- the letter about our stations being
ketball star Bob Love, wild-life of assistance to your organiza-
conservationist Alan Rabinowitz, tion! I work with probably 200+
Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nick non-profits nationally and local-
Brendon, Annie Glenn, and states- ly and rarely do I get feedback on
man Winston Churchill “speaking if what I do is catching an ear in
out” on behalf of those who stutter. the listening audience. Thank
Better Homes and Gardens, with YOU for the pat on the back and
a circulation of more than 7 million, letting me know the PSA director
donated a full-page all-print ad stat- can help make a difference!” K
Channel 3 focuses
Be among the first to spot a card.
Be on the lookout — you could win
Stuttering Foundation public ser- 3. Mail the PSA and the index
on stuttering
vice ads and help raise Stuttering card in an envelope to SFA. Jane Fraser was recently a guest
Awareness! Stuttering Foundation, 3100 on WREG’s morning newscast.
Contest instructions: Walnut Grove Road, Suite 603, CBS’Memphis affiliate invited her
1. Clip out the Stuttering Memphis, TN 38111-0749 to the studio to discuss the resources
Foundation PSA found in a mag- 4. The first notification of a new available for those who stutter.
azine or newspaper. PSA from each publication each News anchors Alex Coleman and
2. On an index card, write the month will receive an SFA T-shirt. April Thompson also highlighted a
name of the magazine and 5. Winners will be notified by number of famous people who stut-
month/date of issue. Also print mail. ter and offered the Foundation’s
your name, phone number, ad- 6. Contest runs from Oct. 1, Web site as a great source of help
dress and email address on the 2007, through Dec. 31, 2007. K for parents, teenagers and adults
seeking more information. K

5. 60 1-800-992-9392 5
Years
of Service
FALL 2007
James Frick Spotlight shines on spokesmen
Stuttering Foundation spokes-
remembered men Mel Tillis, John Stossel, and Myths, Get OutandShovel — Why
Lies, Downright
James V. Frick, Ph.D., speech Alan Rabinowitz have all made
Stupidity: the
pathologist and stuttering authority the headlines recently. Conservationist Alan Rabinowitz
Everything You Know Is Wrong.
at the Pennsylvania State Country music superstar Tillis was recently featured in Forbes and
University, passed away April 16. has been selected for induction
He was 84. into the Country Music Hall of Forbes focused on Rabinowitz’
The Christian Science Monitor.
Affected by a severe stuttering Fame this fall in the Lifetime exploring the Indo-Pacific region in
problem as a child, Achievement category. northern Burma, also known as
he sought help fol- Early in his career, Tillis stuttered Myanmar. He is one of only a hand-
lowing his service so severely that he couldn’t even ful of Westerners who have traveled
during World War II thank the audience at the end of a in this area during the last century.
and eventually be- performance. But ever since his role “This is the most intact forest in
came an associate as the curtain- the entire Indo-
professor of Speech puller for a Pacific region,
Pathology at Penn James Frick first-grade play, with many
State, where he Tillis wouldn’t parts that are
worked from 1951 until his retire- let stuttering completely un-
ment in 1984. keep him from explored,”
Early in his career he helped es- the stage. Rabinowitz, of
tablish the Penn State Speech and Singing in the Wildlife
Hearing Clinic, where he special- front of the Conservation
ized in the treatment of stuttering class was Tillis’ Society, told
and aphasia. first step to-
He graduated from St. Thomas ward legendary Rabinowitz
Forbes.
More High School in Philadelphia fame as a is credited for
Photo courtesy of Seth Harrison
in 1939 and served in the U.S. recording artist, large portions
The Journal News
Army Air Corps for three years performer and of land being
during World War II where he at- songwriter. His declared na-
tained the rank of Sergeant. He hits include I John Stossel have tional parks.
Mel Tillis, Alan
earned Bachelor’s and Master’s
Rabinowitz and
degrees and then a Ph.D. in
Ain’t Never, The Christian
focused their
all served as SFA
Psychology in 1951 from the
Good Woman spokesmen. Science Monitor
University of Iowa. In You, and Ruby, Don’t Take Your attention on Rabinowitz’ creating
Blues, I Believe
He was the son of the late havens for tigers, jaguars, and
James V.M. and Anna Hickey As he travels the country, he visits leopards.
Love to Town.
Frick. On June 20, 1953, he mar- cities where his radio PSA on stut- Rabinowitz established the
ried Anna Netta Livingston, who tering is being played daily, such as Hukawng Valley Tiger Server in
survives him at home. Chicago, where WLS generated a northern Myanmar. The reserve is
During retirement, Dr. Frick tremendous response to his PSA. the size of the state of Vermont.
served as a volunteer with the John Stossel, co-anchor of 20/20, As he strives to make the world
Volunteer Income Tax Assistants, joined SFAs Chairman’s Circle with safer for big cats, he is working with
the Centre County, Pa., Planning a recent significant contribution to local populations, educating them
Commission, and the U.S. Fish the Foundation. This donation will on why it is important not to kill
and Wildlife Commission. further the cause of helping young these animals.
He enjoyed golf, playing bridge, people and adults who stutter. “He is credited with bringing
reading, jazz music and crossword Stossel has been touring the coun- unlikely partners together for con-
puzzles. try this past year speaking to groups servation in various nations,” the
In addition to his wife, he is and promoting his popular book newspaper wrote.
survived by two sons, James V.
The Stuttering Foundation
K
Frick III, of State College, Pa.,
and Robert L. Frick and his wife,
Karen, of Vienna, Va.; and three is a proud participant of the
granddaughters, Amy, Hannah, Combined Federal Campaign.
and Maggie. Please note our new number.
Please see page 15 for a list of CFC #11047
gifts made in memory of Dr. Frick. K

6. 6 www.stutteringhelp.org 1-800-992-9392
60 Years
of Service
Western Workshop
Attendees say workshops are
heats up Portland
Temperatures rose to over 100 degrees outside,
Susan Hamilton
while ideas sizzled inside at the first Western
Workshop held in Portland, Oregon. The WW
moved from Seattle to Portland when Ellen Reuler,
former 2003 WW participant volunteered to host
the event at Portland State University where she is
Director of Clinical Services.
Susan Hamilton and Jennifer Watson joined
forces at the podium for this five-day event where
20 participants were chosen from across the
United States. Watson and Hamilton’s goals for
this year’s workshop were to help the attendees’ to
Western workshoppers gather for a group photo. Front row: Vinita Rajah,
increase their “comfortability,” competence and
Mike Jedlicka, Jane Fraser, Lelisa Balderama, and Pam Hubbard. Second
confidence when treating children who stutter.
row: Pam Thuman, Anne Terry, Deborah Carter, Marsha Hundley, Shannon
“This group really impressed me in that they
Richins, and Ellen Reuler. Third row: Mercedes Delaney, Jill Dolata, Debbie
were positive and so supportive of each other dur-
Livesey, Vicki Andre, Lori Matthews, Jaime Hardin, Vicky Edwards, Tara
Roehl, Leigh Jones, and Jennifer Watson. Fourth row: Adam Heiner, Ute
ing the learning process,” commented Watson.
Conly, Susan Hamilton, and Glen Weybright
Both presenters agreed that the participants
were willing to step out of their comfort zones
Western Workshop
and build on past experiences to learn more about
leaders Susan
providing therapy to children who stutter. “It
Hamilton, Jennifer
takes courage to practice newly learned skills in
Watson, and Ellen
front of your peers,” stated Hamilton.
Reuler.
The traditional wine and cheese reception was
hosted by Mary and Steve Brannan on their beau-
tiful houseboat on the banks of the Columbia
River.
One workshopper deemed the event an amazing
experience. Another indicated that it was a wonder-
ful opportunity and that she was honored to have
been a part of it. A third attendee summed it up
Scenes from the
when she said “the workshop was an unforgettable
houseboat party.
experience. I feel more confident and competent al-
ready….Now to go and practice!” K
Glenn Weybright, a workshopper from 2002, treats
Mike Jedlicka and Jill Dolata show off an SFA workbook. the 2007 workshoppers to a kayak outing.

7. 1-800-992-9392 7
FALL 2007
60 Years
of Service
an ‘unforgettable experience’
New England celebrates 10th workshop
While the Stuttering Foundation of America was celebrating its 60th
Diane Parris
anniversary, New England celebrated its 10th biannual workshop host-
ed by Boston University. Participants gathered from nineteen states
Attendees
from California to New Jersey, and welcomed one international partic-
enjoy
ipant from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Experience among the group was as
a reception.
diverse as their geographical origins. From June 20 – 24th, however,
these twenty speech-language pathologists shared one thing in com-
mon: increasing their expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of chil-
dren who stutter.
Coordinated by Diane Parris, MS, CCC/SLP, a team of extraordinary
researchers and master clinicians provided the right blend of informa-
tion and skills training to increase participant’s confidence and compe-
tence in providing an integrated approach to fluency therapy. The pro-
gram began with a review of contemporary theory, current research, and
assessment procedures led by Dr. Edward Conture, Professor and
Director of Graduate Studies at Vanderbilt University. Focus on treat-
ment of preschoolers and partnership with parents/families was provid-
ed by Dr. Sheryl Gottwald, Assistant Professor at the University of New
Hampshire. Direct skills training began with the unique contributions of
Dr. David Luterman in the area of counseling children who stutter and
their families beginning with listening deeply and from the heart.
Finally a leading specialist in the field, Adriana DiGrande, MS
CCC/SLP, presented on the integration of cognitive, affective, motor,
and social aspects of fluency therapy for the school-age child.
Diane, Sheryl, and Adriana coached participants in producing easy-
relaxed speech models, cancellations, and pull-outs, and the program
culminated in the opportunity for participants to practice these skills
in mock therapy sessions with children gathered from the hosting
clinicians’ caseloads and their siblings. Many commented that this
type of ‘hands on’ learning was a highlight of the program for them.
Most participants will not only be putting their new learning to use
immediately with their own clients, but will also be offering in-service
training to colleagues in upcoming months. Spreading the knowledge
and skills provided in the regional workshops is essential to the mis-
sion of the Foundation. Look for the next New England Workshop to
be held in June 2009. K
New England workshoppers have
their group picture taken. Front
row: Angela Horne, Jane Fraser,
Sue Basta, and Claudia Holcomb.
Second row: Nancy Patriacca,
Wanda Pritekel, Adriana
DiGrande, Kavita Kaul, Brenda
Spredding, and Sheryl Gottwald.
Third row: Jennifer Shubin, Kathi
Shute, Julianne Weckel, Melisa
Kennelly, Stefanie Chenkin, Rozie
Matthews, Erin Jarvis, and
Darlene Sommer. Back row: Joe
Fulcher, Dorothy Wise, Andrea
Stach, Melinda Kuehn, Diane
Parris, Blair O'Gorman, and
Meghan Krodel.

8. 8 60 1-800-992-9392
Years
www.stutteringhelp.org
of Service
than 300 people who stutter, speech
Congress Continued from front page Celia Gruss
pathologists and family and friends
of Paris,
who attended this event. A highlight
France,
Suzana Jelcic-Jaksic,
was the Congress gala dinner which
and Vilma
Makauskiene, president of the
was held in the nearby medieval
of Lithuania, Croatian Association
town of Dubrovnik. It was the scene
at the SFA for People Who
Stutter, acted as
of formal speeches and awards in-
booth.
the governor of the
cluding the presentation of the ISA’s
Congress. Here
Outstanding Contribution Award to
she speaks at the
the SFA’s Jane Fraser.
14th century fortress,
setting for the gala
In presenting the award to Fraser,
Retiring Board dinner.
Melvin Hoffman of ISA said, “No
Chair Mark
one has done more to further the
Irwin, DDS, John Ellis, Judy
cause of helping those who stutter."
received Kuster and Ryan
Pollard in front
“It is a thrill to receive this
an ISA
Distinguished of SFA poster of
award that recognizes our work on
Service Award Famous People
behalf of those who struggle daily Following this event, there can be
Who Stutter.
with stuttering,” Fraser said. no doubt that the world has advanced
The first honorary lifetime mem- in its understanding of stuttering as
bers of the ISA are Fraser and well as strengthening the bonds of in-
Judith Kuster, of Minnesota State ternational cooperation.
Poster produced
University, Mankato, and creator of The next triennial World
by the Croatian
the Stuttering Home Page, Congress will be held in Beijing,
Hinko Freund
www.stutteringhomepage.com. China in 2010.
Support Group
to raise funds
K for their work.
vices at a substantial discount after faction with the device, indicating
completing the study. Three subjects that the SpeechEasy may be
without the device in place. did not purchase the device, but viewed as a viable treatment op-
Study Continued from page 3
replied that they would continue to tion by some who stutter.
Furthermore, the subjects who
The SpeechEasy was general-
participated in the study sampled
ly effective in reducing stutter-
their devices at no cost and may
ing when immediately fit, but
have conceivably been less moti-
significant reductions in stut-
vated and emotionally invested in
tering were not consistently
a positive outcome than those
maintained across four months
Relatively more stuttering re- who actively seek out and pur-
of treatment.
duction occurred during oral read- chase a SpeechEasy. Finally, sub-
ing than during the conversation jects in this study were trained
or question tasks. Individual re- and encouraged to use active
sponses varied greatly with regard techniques such as easy vocal on-
to both fluency improvement and sets or initial sound prolongations
personal impressions of the de- as needed to initiate voicing
vice. For example, many subjects when wearing the SpeechEasy;
reported that a promising feature of use the SpeechEasy if it were given however, additional stuttering
the SpeechEasy was its effective- to them free of charge. A final three therapy was not provided.
ness while using the telephone. In subjects decided not to buy the de- Because recent clinical evidence
contrast, the most frequently re- vice and reported that they would indicates that including traditional
ported drawback was perceived not continue to use it even if it were stuttering therapy may improve
background noise in certain situa- given to them at no charge. SpeechEasy outcomes (Armson et
tions (see Table). Although the group findings in al., 2006), it appears that in at
At the end of the study, subjects this study revealed no overall least some cases, the expertise
were then surveyed in order to gain treatment effect for the device, provided by a certified speech-
insight as to their satisfaction with this is a qualified conclusion for language pathologist to provide
wearing the SpeechEasy. Regarding several reasons. First, individual additional stuttering treatment
ultimate purchasing decision, four of subjects did benefit from wearing may be needed in order to maxi-
the 11 subjects who began the exper- the SpeechEasy during certain mize benefits derived from
iment elected to purchase their de- speech tasks and/or reported satis- SpeechEasy use. K

9. 60 9
Years
FALL 2007 of Service
SLPs have an opportunity to
exchange ideas over lunch.
Presenters
Barry Guitar and
Kristin Chmela.
Presenters and discussion group leaders Barry Guitar, Karen Rizzo,
Diane Games, Lisa Scott, Kevin Eldridge, Kristin Chmela, Patrice
Carothers, Jane Fraser, and Mary Mantilla.
Best Practices in Preschool Stuttering: an overwhelming success
corporated across all topics in the that the conference’s singular
The Cincinnati Airport Marriott conference and gave attendees the focus on preschool children was
Lisa Scott, Ph.D.
was the setting for the Stuttering opportunity to practice and refine both refreshing and needed. “I’ve
Foundation’s annual summer clin- skills in decision-making, setting attended many conferences that
ical conference. Although such a treatment goals, and counseling mentioned preschoolers, but
conference is held each summer, parents. Small group guided prac- never addressed this population
2007 marked the first time the pro- tice leaders included Patrice for any length of time that was
gram focused exclusively on Carothers, Kevin Eldridge, Diane meaningful to me and my prac-
preschool children who stutter. Games, Karen Rizzo, Mary tice. Thank you, thank you!”
The response to this change was Mantilla, and Bill Murphy. In addition, participants appreci-
tremendous: 74 participants trav- Presenters profiled children who ated the presenters’ and group lead-
eled from 21 different states and stutter through the use of video seg- ers’ warm styles and accessibility:
Canada to learn about and share ments and examples of child re- “It was wonderful being able to ask
their experiences in working with sponses, enhancing the explanation questions and talk with the speakers
young children. of concepts being discussed. The and group leaders with ease.” The
Participants heard state-of-the- audience responded enthusiastical- integration of lectures with guided
art presentations from Barry ly to these strategies as they facili- practice also drew positive feed-
Guitar and Kristin Chmela on best tated greater understanding of the back and continue to be one of the
practices for determining whether content being discussed. It was re- strengths of the Foundation’s clini-
a young child is stuttering, assess- inforcing for many clinicians to cal conferences. “Thank you for an
ing the child’s priority for treat- have the opportunity to see tech- outstanding conference! I know I
ment, strategies for implementing niques and ideas being demonstrat- will be a better SLP because I at-
both indirect and direct treat- ed as well to as ask questions of tended this conference. The format
ments, and working with families. leading experts in stuttering. with lecture and guided practice
Guided practice sessions were in- Evaluation comments indicated was outstanding!” K

10. Dear SFA: Reader Response
10 60 1-800-992-9392
Years
www.stutteringhelp.org
of Service
Send letters to SFA, P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749 or email info@stutteringhelp.org.
Dear SFA: Dear SFA:
A future movie star Video for young children
Some of the things I like to do I am currently a graduate student
are video games and watching TV. at College Misericordia (Dallas,
Sometimes my speech is the PA), where I am pursuing my mas-
best when I’m whispering qui- ter’s degree in speech-language
etly. My friends do not mind pathology as well as my teacher
my stuttering a lot. And my certification.
speech is not that good when I I recently created an informational
am shy, nervous, or I am in video for my graduate level fluency
front of a large amount of peo- course. I did the voices, danced in
ple. And on Monday at school I the costumes, shot and edited the
whole piece. This 5-minute creation
Tony, of Yakima, Wash., drew
go to my speech teacher. She is
is to be shown to younger school-
this picture and included the fol-
good with her speech. My mom
aged children who are having trou-
lowing caption:
says some day I will be a good
talker. bles with stuttering. Here is the link:
Stuttering is not that bad. I don’t
My grandmom likes music
really care that I stutter. The stut-
and she says that a director will Sincerely,
tering ghost comes and makes me
www.vimeo.com/clip:219933
want me for movie or singing Erik X. Raj
stutter. I go to speech to fight the
roles.
stuttering ghost. I practice eye
Dontae, 9
contact, smooth talking, and good
relaxation. Dallas, Pa.
Dear SFA: Dear SFA:
Teen says exercises help
Hi, my name is Brandi. I’m 15
Zach’s story about stuttering
I do not like stuttering because
Cheltenham, Pa.
some people make fun of me some- Dear SFA: years old and had a stuttering
problem all my life. It has gotten a
SLP helps John
times. I do not like stuttering but I I don’t mind stuttering very
am getting much better at it. I do not badly. It’s not like it’s illegal to lot better. I’ve learned how to pro-
like stuttering because I get stuck on stutter. But I don’t like it when I nounce the letters easy for the
a word and it takes awhile before I can’t let the words out. Robert, word to come out right.
can say the word clearly. I do not my speech therapist, helps me These exercises helped me a lot
like stuttering because it makes me learn about stuttering. Oh, and by from then to now. I stutter when I get
say words over and over again and it the way, I am John. And I’m 8 3/4 too excited, mad or sad, but some-
makes me mad when that happens. years old. times I stutter when I don’t talk a lot
Zachary, 9 John, 8 that day then when a time comes for
Reedsburg, Wis. East Charleston, VT Continued on page 11
Picture perfect
Christopher of Marlboro, N.J.,
drew this picture. It says,
“I don’t care what people say
or if they laugh when I stutter.
I am happy being myself. Stuttering
is a good experience for me
because life is sometimes hard.”
Do you have artwork to share? E-mail
it to us at info@stutteringhelp.org.

11. 60 1-800-992-9392 11
Years
FALL 2007 of Service
me to talk the stuttering tries to come.
Letters Continued from page 10
When I was younger, my stutter-
Eva launches MySpace page
Web site is: http://groups.myspace.com/stutteringfoundation
ing sounded like this “d,d, do, dog.”
But now it’s like bumpy words Eva Woolwine of Ashland, worked at a local preschool for
sometimes. Most of the time I run Kan., is on the go as al- children with special
out of breath which I try to control ways, but this busy gal needs. She told us, “One of
by taking my time. checked in with us and the little boys in my class
When I was younger in the fifth, agreed to manage our stuttered. I enjoyed work-
sixth and seventh grade, I would new MySpace page! ing with him and encour-
get mad at my teachers when they We first met Eva in the aging him. It showed me
asked me to read. Summer 2005 Stuttering that teaching really is my
Foundation newsletter calling.”
Sometimes when I felt as if I could when she was the 18 Eva tells us she still has
read I would volunteer. I read that a year-old reigning Miss Eva Woolwine many opportunities for
lot of celebrities have stuttering prob- Garden City and on her speaking engagements
lems in their life, but James Earl way to the Miss Kansas pageant. and is able to inform and educate
Jones is my favorite because he plays Since then, she’s been in and the public about stuttering.
Mufausa in The Lion King, and The out of pageants receiving acco- She also attended the National
Lion King is my favorite movie. I say lades, pursuing her education, Stuttering Association conven-
to myself I will try to succeed in my and speaking out tirelessly to tion last summer with her family
stuttering because I really want to be educate the public about stut- in Atlanta. “It’s a good chance to
a veterinarian when I get out of high tering. She is living proof that offer and receive support along
school. Now going to the 10th grade stuttering does not have to hold side other stutterers. And that’s
I will try harder to my fullest and try you back! why I’m so excited to create and
to succeed. Having graduated last May from manage the Foundation’s
Brandi Pratt Community College with an MySpace page! One of the goals
Associate’s degree, Eva is attend- is to offer young people and
ing Northwestern State University teens a chance to share experi-
in Alva, Oka., this fall. Her goal is ences, feelings, and helpful in-
E-mail
Dear SFA: a teaching degree in elementary ed- formation for success!”
Poem wins awards
I saw my name in your summer ucation. In addition to baby-sitting At this rate, Eva may one day
newsletter and wanted to thank and working part-time in her dad’s join our long list of Famous
you. And my poem won first place law firm, this past summer Eva People Who Stutter!
at district and an award of excel-
K
lence in the state level competition.
Thank you for everything,
Alicia Cameron Francek has spent his the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. As a
Runner on the move to support SFA
summer running in honor of the 3 high school student, he was captain
million Americans who stutter in an of both the Baseball and Golf teams.
Virginia Beach, Va.
effort to raise awareness of stuttering. “I would not be the person I am
Cameron says, “I am a stutterer. I be- today without my family, my friends
Editor: Congratulations on your
lieve people don’t fully understand and many speech pathologists with
awards!
Dear SFA: this communication/motor disorder.” whom I have been working since the
SFA applauds his efforts that are 1st grade. I have decided to try and
Kids enjoy ‘cool’ brochure
First, I just wanted to say thank
you for your excellent Web site. sure to educate people all along give back. While my efforts and do-
It’s so nice to be able to point par- his 300 miles path! nations may be small on a larger
Therefore, he took on the task of scale, it is something I need and
ents and professionals toward a want to do.” says Cameron.
running 300 miles (approximately
Web site with good information. 5 miles/day) to raise money Through his efforts, Cameron
Secondly, I wish you could have through pledges and donations for has raised and donated $1,435 to
seen the reactions when I gave the Stuttering Foundation. At the the Foundation. This gift will
copies of the celebrities who stutter end of this journey, he plans to run keep on giving as it helps others
brochure to several grade school kids the Detroit Marathon. who struggle with stuttering.
who stutter. They thought it was so Cameron is no stranger to a busy SFA sends a big thank you to
‘cool’ to see Tiger Woods, Marilyn life. Currently he is a student at Cameron as well as best wishes
Monroe and James Earl Jones. Michigan State University studying for his marathon run.
Kari Peterson Communicative Sciences and
Disorders and is an active member of
Please see page 15 for gifts in
E-mail K honor of Cameron. K

12. 12 www.stutteringhelp.org 60 1-800-992-9392
Years
means by which stuttering changes cal framework that will allow us
of Service
as a result of alterations in speak- to learn more about the structure
in auditory cortical brain regions ers’ air-borne auditory feedback and function of auditory cortical
Auditory cortex Continued from front page
may contribute to developmental for speech and language. With re- regions in adults who do and do
stuttering. Related to these find- cent advances in digital technolo- not stutter. Furthermore, it is
ings, numerous investigators have gy, however, one such device has thought that such studies may
studied how altered auditory feed- been widely marketed and empiri- lead to more targeted interven-
back may influence speech fluen- cally studied, that is, the tions using the SpeechEasy to
cy in individuals with develop- SpeechEasy (2001). help those individuals with de-
mental stuttering (e.g., Armson, The SpeechEasy is a small de- velopmental stuttering seeming
Kiefte, Mason, & DeCroos, 2006; vice which looks and fits like a most able to receive benefit from
Stuart, Kalinowski, Armson, hearing aid. This device works in such treatment.
Stenstrom & Jones, 1996; Van essence by “playing a copy” of the
Riper, 1973, pp. 116-139). These person’s own speech in their ear
alterations have involved such after shifting the pitch as well as
Armson, J., Kiefte, M., Mason, J., De Croos,
References
D. (2006). The effects of SpeechEasy on stut-
procedures as low-pass and high- creating a temporal delay in the tering frequency in laboratory conditions.
pass auditory masking (e.g., acoustic output of their speech Journal of Fluency Disorders, 31, 137-152.
Conture, 1974), delayed auditory production. According to
Brown S., Ingham R.J., Ingham, J.C.,
Laird, A.R., Fox, P.T. (2005). Stuttered and
feedback (DAF) (Van Riper, SpeechEasy’s associated market- fluent speech production: an ALE meta-anal-
1973), and frequency altered feed- ing literature, such adjustments or ysis of functional neuroimaging studies.
back (FAF) (Armson et al., 2006). alterations in auditory feedback
Human Brain Mapping, 25, 105-17.
Conture, E. (1974). Some effects of noise
To greater or lesser degrees, these for speech supposedly mimic the on the speaking behavior of stutterers.
various alterations in speaker’s effects of choral reading. One em- Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 17,
auditory feedback for speech have pirical study (Armson et al., 2006)
714-723.
Foundas, A.L., Bollich AM, Corey, D.,
been shown to reduce stuttering showed that the SpeechEasy re- Hurley, M., Heilman, K. (2001). Anomalous
during reading as well as conver- duced stuttering events by 49%, anatomy of speech-language areas in adults
sational speech. However, what is 36%, and 74% respectively for
with persistent developmental stuttering.
Neurology, 57, 207-215.
still unknown is whether there are conversation, monologue, and Foundas, A.L., Bollich, A.M., Feldman. J.,
predictable relationships between reading. Fluency was even more Corey, D.M., Hurley, M., Heilman, K.M.
auditory cortical brain regions enhanced in all speaking condi-
(2004). Atypical planum temporale anatomy
in stuttering: Relationship to delayed audito-
(structure and function) and tions with the instruction to delib- ry feedback. Neurology. 63: 1640-1646.
changes in stuttering to altered au- erately prolong vowels. Stuart, A., Kalinowski, J., Armson, J.,
ditory feedback. At present, there are several
Strenstrom, R., Jones, K. (1996). Fluency
effect of frequency alternations of
In our first volumetric MRI unanswered questions: How does plus/minus one-half and one-quarter octave
study of developmental stuttering the SpeechEasy device work at shifts in auditory feedback of people who
we found structural anomalies the level of the auditory cortex?
stutter. Journal of Speech and Hearing
Research, 39, 396-401.
within a discrete brain region – a How does the SpeechEasy device Van Riper, C. (1973). The Treatment of
portion of auditory temporal cor- relate to brain anatomy and func- Stuttering. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice
tex (Foundas et al, 2001). Other tion? Our research group is inter-
Hall, Inc.
studies have found atypical acti- ested in investigating these im-
K
vation-deactivation in this same portant questions. Our research
brain region and atypical physio- group at Tulane, in collaboration
logical responses when adults with Dr. Edward G. Conture and ways to challenge himself, but
Movie Continued from page 2
who stutter are compared to adults colleagues at Vanderbilt, are con- the stuttering is still hard.
who do not stutter (for review, ducting pilot studies to objective- Looking back at my teen
Brown et al, 2005). In a subse- ly examine the SpeechEasy in a years, I am not sure how I
quent study we found that adults small group of adults with persis- would have responded to see-
with developmental stuttering and tent developmental stuttering. ing the movie because I was
atypical auditory temporal anato- Overall, results of this study in such denial about my stut-
my had enhanced fluency with should provide crucial, objective tering. However, I would
DAF, but adults with develop- information for further, larger- have been able to relate to so
mental stuttering and typical scale study of this device, partic- much of the film because Hal
anatomy showed less improve- ularly relative to how cortical ac- used all of the “tricks” that I
ment under conditions of DAF tivity and structure relates to grew up using.
(Foundas et al, 2004). those who do versus those who Hal is a very likable charac-
Although alteration in auditory do not benefit from using the de- ter. He is the good guy, the
feedback for speech appears effec- vice. The proposed studies have witty teen, funny, smart, with
tive, at least in the short term, for considerable theoretical and clin- greatness waiting to burst
some individuals who stutter, there ical significance. The proposed out. A very touching movie. K
is a limited understanding of the studies should provide a biologi-

13. 60 13
Years
FALL 2007 of Service
Libraries put
SFA materials
on display
Libraries across the United
States helped the Stuttering
Foundation educate the public
about stuttering by making dis-
plays for National Stuttering
An interview
Awareness Week in May. The
Foundation
with actor
works hard to
get the word
Eric Roberts
out that there
is help and
hope for any-
one who stut-
ters as well as
Q: At what age do you remember first being aware that you spoke
for their fam-
differently?
ilies, friends,
A: I can’t remember not being aware. In school, when we used to go
teachers, and
around the table, each reading a paragraph, I’d count ahead and try
employers.
to memorize my paragraph.
Some li-
Q: Is there any history of stuttering in your family?
braries shared
A: There wasn’t that I knew of. I’ve heard that my mother stutters.
photos of their displays.
Somehow, I don’t hear it.
The Rensselaer Library in Indiana Q&A
made a beautiful, eye-catching dis-
Q: Your daughter Emma definitely
play on a shelving system that looks
had a breakthrough role in this sum-
like a garden fence with Stuttering
mer’s hit movie “Nancy Drew.” When
she was a child did you worry she CELEBRITY CORNER
Foundation materials and enlarged
might develop a stuttering problem?
pictures of celebrities who stutter.
A: Never thought about it with Emma.
The Jefferson Parish Library in
Louisiana chose to include books
Q: Over the years, Hollywood has still produced movies which portray peo-
written by authors who stuttered
ple who stutter in a negative light. Why do you think Hollywood still cranks
with the Foundation’s materials.
out movies like these?
A: Hollywood is basically immature and insecure.
The Yonkers Public Library,
Riverfront Branch in New York cre-
Q: You made “Best of the Best” with James Earl Jones. Did you ever discuss
ated a display outside their elevators
stuttering with him?
that included SFA videos and DVDs
A: I can’t actually remember if James and I discussed it. But I sense we
available for the public to check out.
have a lot in common.
The Union County Library in
Q: What was your single most embarrassing moment as a person who stutters?
Georgia displayed a poster made
A: Actually it was on a recent late night talk show. I got on a stuttering jag
from Stuttering Foundation
and the audience got uncomfortable and started laughing. I stayed relaxed,
brochures that included some-
but I didn’t have the presence of mind, until afterwards, to acknowledge the
thing for teachers, employers, and
stutter and put the audience at ease.
parents as well as Myths About
Q: If you could give any piece of advice to a young person who stutters, what
Stuttering, and Tips for Talking
would it be?
with Someone Who Stutters. The
A: The same advice I give to everyone, which is to do the ongoing work of self
poster, Famous People Who
acceptance.
Q: Your name has long been on the Stuttering Foundation’s list of Famous People Who
Stutter, was the focal point of Stutter. What was your reaction when you saw all the famous names on the
many of the displays. list? Were you surprised to see some names on there?
Libraries typically coincided
their displays with Stuttering
A: I was surprised to see some of the names there.
Q: When you were growing up, did you have any people who stutter as role
Awareness Week. However, Union models?
County Library in Georgia dis-
played their poster for a month! K
A: Actually, that would have been great. But no.
A list of Famous People Who Stutter is available at www.stutteringhelp.org. K

14. 16 www.stutteringhelp.org 60 1-800-992-9392
Years
of Service
Swish now helps Book’s character
Stuttering: For Kids, By Kids is In his latest book Cobra Strike,
Spanish-speaking kids overcomes stuttering
available in Spanish. author Sigmund Brouwer writes
This DVD features children in- about a young man
teracting with an an- who deals with his
imated basketball stuttering.
named Swish. “I wrote it to en-
Kids re- courage kids who
count how stutter, and to help
they handle chal- kids who don’t face
Online conference to
lenges such as teas- this problem to better
The 10th annual International
explore stuttering
ing, speaking in class understand the chal-
and teaching others lenges,” Brouwer said. Stuttering Online Conference
about stuttering. The book is available through the opens October 1st and climaxes
Swish, a lively publisher, Orca Book Publishers, on the 22nd, the day designated
and engaging char- www.orcabook.com. It is also sold as International Stuttering
acter designed by students at Purdue on Amazon.com. Awareness Day. The online
University, narrates the video. The conference will be open at the
children who star range in age from top of the Stuttering Home Page,
first grade to high school, and they www.stutteringhomepage.com,
Dave Germeyer offers a repair from October 1 - 22, 2007, and is
In other news...
offer frank and sometimes different
views of stuttering. service for the Edinburgh Masker. accessible to anyone with a con-
The original version premiered Contact him via e-mail at dgerm- nection to the Internet.
in 2004. Now, thanks to May eye@earthlink.net, write G.D.
Germeyer, 306 S. Baltimore St.,
K
International Productions and
Lisette M. Betancourt, M.A., Dillsburg, PA 17019-1011, or call This newsletter is published quarterly.
717-432-3103.
Please e-mail address changes and
CCC-SLP, of Miami Children’s
story ideas to info@stutteringhelp.org.
Hospital, the film has been re- The documentary Unspeakable
leased in Spanish. is about something Winnipeg film-
Volume16, Issue 2
Free streaming video of the 12- maker John Paskievich knows
Jane Fraser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor
minute film will soon be available firsthand: stuttering.
Scot Squires . . . . . Writer/Designer
online at www.tartamudez.org and His production Unspeakable
Patty Reed . . . . . . . . . .Proofreader
www.stutteringhelp.org. The DVD explores the everyday trauma
Special thanks to Joan Warner,
will also be available free of charge endured by those who stutter. He
Renee Shepherd, Susie Hall, Pat
to all public libraries. interviews people who stutter,
Hamm, Lisa Hinton, Anne
and even explores treatments
Edwards, Carol Ecke,
and therapies.
and Roberta Brugge.
For more information, please The Stuttering Foundation of America is
contact the National Film Board
New cluttering DVD
a tax-exempt organization under sec-
This 42-minute DVD, written
tion 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
of Canada at 800-542-2164 or
now available
Code and is classified as a private op-
and narrated by visit www.nfb.ca. erating foundation as defined in section
Florence Myers, C lu tt er in g 4942(j)(3). Charitable contributions and
Ph.D., Adelphi
K
bequests to the Foundation are tax-
University, and deductible, subject to limitations under
Kenneth O. St. the Code.
Louis, Ph.D.,
West Virginia
U n i v e r s i t y,
features peo-
ple who clutter
THE
STUTTERING
and clearly il-
THE
FOUNDATION
lustrates the essence of cluttering
STUTTERING
FOUNDATION
DVD No. 9700
as well as the problems that often
A Nonprofit Organization
accompany it.
Since 1947 — Helping Those Who Stutter
Strategies and suggestions for
3100 Walnut Grove Road, Suite 603
diagnosis and treatment of clutter-
P.O. Box 11749 ● Memphis, TN 38111-0749
ing are provided for speech-lan-
Thanks to Rita Thurman and a helpful 1-800-992-9392 ● 1-800-967-7700
guage pathologists.
www.stutteringhelp.org www.tartamudez.org
staff, the SFA booth at the North
info@stutteringhelp.org
Carolina Speech-Hearing-Language
Association conference was a success.