As we adjust to this new normal, families will most likely observe fluctuations in their child's stuttering and speech fluency.  ​J. Scott Yaruss at Stuttering Therapy Resources has shared these videos addressing how parents can respond to children during this difficult time. 

By Allison Elium, M.A., CCC-SLP

​During National Stuttering Awareness Week, I aim to empower and advocate for people who stutter, as well as educate the general public about stuttering in general.

Today, I'd like to spread awareness about neurogenic stuttering, a type of stuttering that is not often discussed. You've likely heard of developmental stuttering or childhood-onset stuttering, but did you know that stuttering can develop late into adulthood? Neurogenic stuttering typically occurs after an injury or disease to the central nervous system, presenting in people who have never stuttered previously.

One of my current clients was open to sharing his story here to help spread awareness. At 79, he began experiencing neurogenic stuttering due to Parkinson's.  Here is his story:
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​"One year ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson's and launched into a program to slow the progression of the disease. I experienced a succession of symptoms and worked with my neurology team on a combination of medication and physical therapy which has produced good results.  But I then acquired the symptom of stuttering.  This proved to be very embarrassing in casual conversations with friends and family.  I sought speech therapy in the hopes of learning about techniques for coping with the condition.  I have not been disappointed.  I learned about the “Hard attack” and the “Easy onset of vocalization.”  The techniques of stop and reset combined with easy onset has proven to be very helpful to me and has helped in the restoration of my confidence to speak in public."

For more information about neurogenic stuttering, please refer to the Stuttering Foundation. If you or a loved one has a sudden onset of stuttering following a stroke, injury, or degenerative disease; please speak with your doctor, neurologist, and speech-language pathologist to determine a diagnosis and receive help. ​

​​Allison Elium, MA, CCC-SLP is the owner of Wildflower Speech Therapy, PLLC, a private speech therapy practice in Austin, Tx. Allison specializes primarily in stuttering and speech disorders in children and adults. Read more about her approach here.
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I recently teamed up with Bjorem Speech to share how I use their speech sound cues in stuttering therapy.  In the video below, I teach other speech-language pathologists how they can incorporate these fun speech cards into their work with children who stutter!

​Originally created for articulation and phonology intervention, these colorful cards assign a meaning and visual representation to each sound. For example, "K" is called the "coughing sound" and is depicted by a camel coughing.  These cute visuals are developmentally appropriate and great for non-readers, as they make speech sounds easier to decode and practice.  
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When I learned of the Bjorem speech cues, I instantly thought of the many applications to stuttering therapy.  When discussing stutters, we often break a word into specific sounds, identifying which sound was tense/tight and where the tension occurred in the speech mechanism.  Although complex, these concepts can actually be extremely fun for kids when discussed at an age-appropriate level!   I found that these cards were helpful in giving my young clients a tangible, visual way to understand and express these concepts. I love how the sound cues allow us to "play" with the sounds of a word!

​​Allison Elium, MA, CCC-SLP is the owner of Wildflower Speech Therapy, PLLC, a private speech therapy practice in Austin, Tx. Allison specializes primarily in stuttering and speech disorders in children and adults. Read more about her approach here.

By Allison Elium, M.A., CCC-SLP

​What is teletherapy?
Teletherapy or telepractice is live, online speech therapy that is provided via a two-way video conference platform. Imagine a Skype session that is HIPAA compliant and allows you to share documents, white boards, and interactive games.  

Why consider teletherapy? 
In my opinion, the most important advantage is having more selection over who your therapist is. If you are unable to find a local therapist who specializes in your treatment, you may be able to connect with one via teletherapy. For example, I am licensed in both California and Texas, so I am able to provide services to anyone who lives in either state. 

Another advantage of teletherapy is the convenience. Scheduling becomes a bit easier when drive-time is no longer a factor. I have also found teletherapy to be a good option for intensive treatment where shorter, more frequent sessions are recommended. Likewise, teletherapy can serve as a wonderful maintenance tool to help transition out of therapy. 

Lastly, technology is motivating! Many children find teletherapy to be a treat. They enjoy playing games on the computer with their speech therapist, and hardly realize they are working.
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Is teletherapy effective?
​Yes! Teletherapy is supported by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Mayo Clinic, and the American Telemedicine Association. 

Is teletherapy right for me or my child? 
To determine if teletherapy is right for you, I recommend discussing your needs with a speech-language pathologist as well as giving the technology a test run! There are a variety of teletherapy platforms out there. At Wildflower Speech Therapy, I am happy to offer trial teletherapy sessions to see how you enjoy the technology.

By Allison Elium, M.A., CCC-SLP

​When I tell people about my passion for stuttering, I am often met with curiosity. I love when people ask questions, as it gives me a chance to dispel common myths about the nature, cause, and manifestation of stuttering. ​Often the people I'm talking to have no personal experience with stuttering; however, I also spend a good amount of time educating families of those who stutter. Both parties have interesting questions, so let's get to the answers!
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Question #1: Is it helpful to remind a person who stutters to “just think about what you want to say first?"
Answer: No. People who stutter know exactly what they want to say.  Stuttering does not have to do with word-finding issues or being unsure of what they want to communicate. If you want to help, focus on modeling slower-paced, relaxed speech while speaking to them. You can also concentrate on active listening: focus on their message, maintain eye contact, and allow them to finish their message without interruption. 

Question #2: Do people just stutter because they are nervous or stressed?
Answer: No. Many complex factors are involved. Stress is NOT the cause, but it can certainly aggravate stuttering. Don't assume that people who stutter are more prone to be nervous, fearful, anxious, or shy. They have the same full range of personality traits as those who do not stutter. 

Question #3: Sometimes I repeat myself. Does that mean I stutter too?
Answer: No. There is a difference between typical "disfluency" and stuttering. Disfluency is defined as the interruption of forward-flowing speech. Everyone is DISFLUENT at times, but not everyone STUTTERS. Certain disfluencies are typical for most speakers and are not indicative of stuttering.
For example:

1. Whole word repetitions (she, she, she went home)
2. Interjections (e.g., I, umm, went home)
3. Revisions (e.g., I want, I need ice cream).

Some examples of true stuttering include:

1. Blocks (l------ike this)
2. Prolongations (llllllllllllllike this)
3. Part-word or syllable repetitions (li-li-li-like this)

Stuttering usually includes a feeling of tension and may also include secondary characteristics like eye blinks, rise in pitch, rise in volume, facial movements, etc.
*If you have concerns about stuttering, contact a local speech-language pathologist.

Question #4: Can you tell me exactly what caused my stutter?
Answer: There is no clear cut answer. Research shows that stuttering is multi-factorial. There is no one single cause, and it may have different causes in different people. Genetics, child development, neurophysiology, the interaction between language development and motor abilities, and influences of the child's environment have all been cited as factors that contribute to the development of stuttering. During an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist, the potential factors will be explored. 

Question #5: My son stutters. Will he be successful? Are there other successful people who stutter?
Answer: Yes! He may have some unique challenges along the way, but people who stutter can be just as successful as people who don't stutter. In fact, many people who stutter feel as if their success is not in spite of--but because of--the challenges they've faced as a person who stutters. There are famous actors, singers, politicians, and athletes who stutter. Check out some famous people who stutter here. You may be surprised to learn that one of your favorite celebrities has a history of stuttering. ​

There is more to my job as a speech-language pathologist than simply helping people with their speech. With my training and expertise, I am in the perfect position to also advocate for the people I help. I want the world to be a more accepting and understanding place for them. Likewise, I want my patients to be experts on stuttering and to have the knowledge and tools to speak up for themselves when needed. If you're interested in learning more about stuttering, or if you are interested in treatment for yourself or a loved one, contact me for more information.

​Resources:
National Stuttering Association - http://www.westutter.org
Stuttering Foundation of America- ​http://www.stutteringhelp.org/
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