1. 1-800-992-9392
www.stutteringhelp.org • www.tartamudez.org
T HE S TUTTERING F OUNDATION
A Nonprofit Organization WINTER 2006 Since 1947... Helping Those Who Stutter
The age factor in stuttering, page 3 Kenyon Martin lights up young lives, page 9 Annie’s Mailbox reaches millions, page 3
A look at genetic Redesigned Web site easier to use
and neurological I nformation about stuttering is just a
mouse click away.
on July 4th,”
says Jane
correlates The Stuttering Foundation has
redesigned its Web site,
Fraser, president
of the Foundation.
www.stutteringhelp.org, so “Hits jumped from
of stuttering the public and speech clin- 550,000 a month on the
By Lisa Scott, Ph.D. icians can more easily find old site to 850,000 in
The Florida State University September to a
In November, four of the leading scien-
the information
tists in stuttering presented their latest re- they need. record 1,250,000
search at the American Speech-Language- There are spe- and 1,300,000 in
Hearing Association con- cial pages for October and
vention in San Diego. children, teens, November re-
Participating in a session en- adults, teachers, spectively.”
titled, “Genetic and
Neurological Correlates of SLPs and em- The Web site
Stuttering,” were Drs. ployers. uses the latest
Dennis Drayna, NIDCD, All the foun- technology to
Christine Weber-Fox, dation’s quickly up-
Drayna Purdue University, Ann brochures are load informa-
Foundas, Tulane University, available on- tion and keep
and Gerald Maguire,
University of California- line and sev- the Web site
Irvine. In a session coordi- eral books up-to-date.
nated by Dr. Christy are too. Loading
Ludlow, NIDCD, four pre- Favorites precise ad-
senters focused their discus- like the ex- dresses and
Weber-Fox sions on state-of-the-art re-
search in the understanding
tensive list information
of genetic and neurological of famous people for 6,500 libraries
factors that contribute to who stutter now regularly is no small
stuttering. Three of the four highlight the head- task, but our dedi-
researchers, Drs. Drayna, line banner. cated staff makes it
Weber-Fox, and Foundas, For those who pre-
What’s Hot seem easy.
have previously contributed
articles on their research to fer to check out Celebrities who stutter Why speech therapy? “Those who
FAQ Special education law
Foundas
past issues of this newsletter. books and videos at Is my child stuttering? Downloadable books,
haven’t been to the
Genetics and Stuttering libraries, the site lists Research on stuttering brochures and poster Web site recently
Dr. Drayna described the 6,500 libraries that Insurance questions Exciting new pages should check it
current knowledge of the role Electronic devices just for kids and teens
shelve the founda- ADHD and stuttering Areas specifically for
out,” Fraser said.
of genetics in stuttering. He “I believe they
provided an overview of how
tion’s latest materials. Referral list to special- teachers and parents
genetics are studied, including “The response has ists in stuttering Cluttering will find the infor-
Answers for employers Coming soon: mation timely and
the use of twin and adoption been tremendous Referral to libraries Streaming video
Maguire Continued on page 6 since the launching valuable.” ❑
Annenberg Foundation grant helps SFA reach children
An unprecedented grant from the kids learn more about stuttering will
Annenberg Foundation is making want to see this tape,” says speech-
Stuttering: For Kids, By Kids available language pathologist Bill Murphy of
free of charge to every public library in Purdue University. “The children fea-
the country. By year-end, more than lots of press these days — from daily tured are a perfect example of how to
6,500 libraries will have the new DVD and weekly newspapers and leading openly and honestly handle stuttering.
whose animated star, Swish, is doing a magazines like Woman’s Day to the This is an important tool for families
jump shot above. ASHA Leader and Advance for SLPs. and teachers of kids who stutter too.”
The 12-minute DVD is getting “All those interested in helping Continued on page 2

2. 2 www.stutteringhelp.org 1-800-992-9392
On the air on NBC
NBC stations around the nation
Stuttering and the basal ganglia
aired a health segment about stuttering By Per Alm, Ph.D. able to do it when receiving external “tim-
during their local news- University of Alberta ing cues,” is characteristic of dysfunction of
casts in early December. the basal ganglia motor circuits (including
The broadcast featured Editor’s note: Per Alm has a Ph.D. in neu- related structures, such as the supplemen-
ropsychology and has been working with re- tary motor area (SMA)). Normally, the
speech-language patholo- search on stuttering in Sweden but is current- basal ganglia seem to provide “go-signals”
gist Dr. Tricia Zebrowski ly teaching at the University of Alberta, for the segments in a motor sequence, e.g.
of the University of Iowa working Edmonton. We asked Per if he could write the syllables in speech.
with a 7-year-old boy who stutters. something about his research and his view on Without sufficiently strong go-signals
WIS TV in Columbia, S.C., told stuttering and the brain. the speech cannot be started or will be
viewers, “There’s no miracle cure for disrupted. The rhythm effect appears to
stuttering and it’s best to evaluate a The variability of stuttering is often strik- be a key feature of stuttering, providing a
problem early.” The station then list- ing to the listener and mysterious for the strong indication that stuttering is related
ed the Stuttering Foundation as a re- person who stutters. to some type of disturbance of the basal
source for parents. Based on personal ganglia motor circuits.
In addition, WIS TV linked to the experiences I have There are several other indications for
Foundation’s Web site from their felt that the lack of the important role of the basal ganglia in
home page and posted the story and a real knowledge about stuttering, for example: (1) Lesions that
video clip online for Internet users. the underlying mech- cause “acquired stuttering” often affect the
anisms of stuttering is basal ganglia (Ludlow et al., 1987). (2) The
Viewers could even e-mail the news
a problem in many drugs that have shown the clearest effect on
segment and story to others who may ways. It makes it
need this valuable information. ❑ stuttering, to make it better or worse, affect
more difficult to treat, Per Alm, Ph.D. the dopamine system. Dopamine is a key
it leaves the field transmitter that regulates the function of
open to unfounded the basal ganglia. (3) Basal ganglia motor
Annenberg Continued from front page speculations, and it makes it difficult for disorders characteristically worsen during
Children on the DVD share their persons who stutter to reach self-under- stress and “nervous tension,” and improve
views on dealing with teasing, how to standing. For this reason, I changed my vo- under relaxed conditions.
teach others about stuttering, and what cation from engineering to research on the In the review on stuttering and the basal
helps them manage their stuttering. nature of stuttering, about 10 years ago. ganglia (Alm, 2004), it was also argued
Speech-lan- When I began my Ph.D. studies, it was that the typical pattern of onset of stuttering
guage pathologists not easy to know what to do to advance around age 2.5 to 3, with a large percentage
who specialize in the understanding of stuttering. So many of early recoveries, may be related to a nat-
the treatment of flu- ingenious efforts had already been made. ural phase of the development of the basal
ency disorders spent Comparing this research to a puzzle, it ganglia. Specifically, it has been shown
more than a year de- felt important to try to make sense of the that children in general have a peak in the
veloping the script for this film. scattered pieces. Therefore I worked both number of dopamine receptors type D2 in
The concept of Swish was thor- with experimental studies and theoretical the basal ganglia at this time. There are the-
oughly researched by a computer overviews of previous research findings. oretical arguments for how a large number
graphics design team at Purdue In this article I will focus on the main of D2 receptors may increase the risk for
University for optimum appeal and theoretical work, regarding the possible re- stuttering. Furthermore, the drugs that have
memory attention for children in lation between stuttering and the basal shown the best documented effect on stut-
grades 2-6. Once created, the boun- ganglia, brain structures involved in au- tering act by blocking these D2 receptors.
cy, genderless cartoon character tomatization (Alm, 2004). This work led The number of D2 receptors has also
with a kid’s voice and vocabulary to the proposal of the dual premotor sys- been reported to show correlation with
was extensively field-tested in tems model of stuttering (Alm, 2005). The cognitive performance, which is in ac-
speech clinics at Purdue and The idea that stuttering is related to the basal cord with the observation that children
Florida State University. ganglia is not new. The first account came with early onset of stuttering often dis-
Judging from the letters that con- from the German physician Sahli, based play precocious language development
tinue to pour in, libraries around the on studies of epidemic encephalitis around (Watkins, Yairi, & Ambrose, 1999).
country are very excited and grateful 1920. Among later examples can be men- In the thesis, On the causal mecha-
for this donation. tioned Caruso (1991) and Molt (1999). nisms of stuttering (Alm, 2005), the
“On behalf of the Board of Conditions where stuttering tends to be basal ganglia model was developed fur-
Trustees, staff and patrons, I want to absent provide important clues about the ther, based on the theoretical work on the
thank you for the material your orga- underlying dysfunction. One such condition human motor system proposed by
nization has provided for our collec- is the “rhythm effect”: persons who stutter Goldberg (1985, 1991) and others.
tion,” writes the director at the usually become fluent when speaking to the Goldberg argued that the human brain
Aracnum, Ohio, library. pace of a metronome. They seem unable to has two parallel premotor systems, i.e.
The library director in stutter when following the beats. This dis- systems involved in planning and execu-
Chatham, Ill., echoed that senti- tinction, to have a problem performing a tion of movements, including speech.
ment, “This resource is a welcome motor sequence on your own, but being
addition to our collection.” ❑ Continued on page 12

3. WINTER 2006 1-800-992-9392 3
The phones The age factor in stuttering
Ehud Yairi, Ph.D. tional processes contribute to stuttering;
keep ringing University of Illinois
Age is among the strongest risk factors
hence the possibility of relations among
stuttering, language, and articulation.
Annie’s Mailbox reaches for stuttering with several important impli- Although our own data (Watkins, Yairi, &
millions, even in South Korea cations. Although the disorder begins with- Ambrose, 1999), and those of our col-
The Memphis staff is hearing ring- in a wide age-range, current robust evidence leagues from Germany (Rommel et. al.,
ing in their sleep after a wave of calls indicates that, for a very large proportion of 1999), show that the language skills of
flooded the Stuttering Foundation’s cases, it erupts during children who stutter, as a group, meet or
switchboard follow- the preschool period. exceed norms, we suspect that there are
ing mentions in two Data obtained at the differences in the ways in which they pro-
syndicated columns. University of Illinois cess language. One research priority con-
One mother Stuttering Research sequent to information about age at onset
wrote, “My son Program revealed that is experimental manipulation of similari-
sometimes can’t say for 65% of the child ties and/or differences in language pro-
anything and then participants, stuttering cessing and production between children
will say the same onset occurred prior who stutter near the onset of the disorder
word over and over. to age 3; the figure and normally fluent children, particularly
Please help!” Marcy Sugar rose to 85% by 3 1/2 Ehud Yairi, Ph.D. in terms of the nature of linguistic knowl-
“Since I read the years of age (Yairi & edge and the time course of knowledge ac-
column, I feel like Ambrose, 2005). tivation. Varied responses to semantic and
there is hope for Leaving room for some sampling errors, phonological distracters, slower reaction
my daughter,” said children past age 4 face a relatively low risk time, and/or alternative activation paths
a father in Ohio. for stuttering. From clinical considerations, may reveal differences in language pro-
On Oct. 22, these statistics call for greater emphasis on cessing. One of the intriguing questions is:
Int’l. Stuttering preparing clinicians for working with early does age at stuttering onset – prior to, or
Awareness Day, childhood stuttering. after, a certain point in language develop-
Annie’s Mailbox Age brings out other factors. The fact ment – underlie distinct subtypes of the
listed SFA as a Kathy Mitchell that the critical age for stuttering onset par- disorder? Currently, scientists in several
source of help and allels the age span when significant rapid laboratories are pursuing such issues.
information on developments occur in the anatomy of the Brain imaging studies of children should
stuttering and in- speech system, as well as in complex lan- also enhance understanding of this issue.
cluded SFA’s Web guage and articulatory skills, invites spec- Our team members, Chang, Erickson, and
site address and ulations that interferences in these matura- Continued on page 8
toll-free phone
number. The col-
umn’s authors,
Marcy Sugar and
Kathy Mitchell,
Robert Wallace Outreach to pediatricians
said, “We are By June Campbell, M.A.
happy to help out. Thanks for all Physicians once again flocked to
the SFA Exhibit Booth at the
Before
the good work you do.”
Their syndicated column is read by American Academy of Pediatrics
nearly 90 million people. Annual Conference and Exhibition in
Newspapers as far away as Seoul, Washington, D.C., this October. It was
South Korea, carried the story, which noted that the demographics of physi-
resulted in many requests for help. cians stopping by to discuss cases and
Earlier this summer, Dr. Robert materials was broadening: whether
Wallace, who writes Tween 12 & 20, young into their careers or well-sea-
mentioned the Foundation twice in soned, physicians came not only from
two separate columns that reach many major U.S. metropolitan and
nearly 5 million readers. rural areas such as Fly Creek, N.Y.,
On Aug. 18, he described and Homer Glen, Ill., but also from
Stuttering: Straight Talk for Teachers Sydney, Australia, Athens, Greece,
as an important resource and listed Lima, Peru, Trinidad, West Indies, and
the SFA Web site. many locations in Mexico.
On Sept. 17, a single New Requests for Spanish edition
Orleans mother without Internet ac- books and brochures was at an all-
cess wrote Dr. Wallace seeking help
for her young son. He followed up
time high as were the DVD formatted
films. Kudos to SFA for reaching out During
by listing eight tips from SFA right to the medical field which can most June and Allen Campbell discuss Stuttering: For Kids,
in his column. ❑ help with early intervention! ❑ By Kids with a pediatrician.

4. 4 www.stutteringhelp.org 1-800-992-9392
Iowa workshop brings together
clinicians from around the world
T
he Stuttering Foundation and
the University of Iowa held the
second Workshop for
Specialists in Stuttering in Iowa City
this past summer, under the leader-
ship of Patricia Zebrowski, Ph.D.,
and Toni Cilek, M.A.
The event hosted 20 clinicians
from 10 states and eight foreign
countries.
Guest lecturers during the two
week course included Edward G.
Conture, Ph.D., of Vanderbilt
University and Peter Ramig,
Ph.D., of University of Colorado-
Boulder. The first workshop at
Iowa was offered in 2003, and the
third will be offered in the summer
of 2007.
“The second workshop met
our expectations – and then
some,” said Patricia Zebrowski. “I
hope we continue our track record
of receiving applicants from all The Class of 2005 gathers for pictures during Stuttering Therapy: Workshop for Specialists, sponsored by the
over the world – this year we had Stuttering Foundation and the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Front row (from left): Jeamjai Jeeraumporn, Jennifer
Tseng, Jennifer Peacock, Calista Keck, Ashley Jackson, Jane Fraser, Erol Belgin, and Nao Yasuda. Second row:
specialists from the United States Amie King, Suzanne Sylvester, Patricia Zebrowski, Michelle Jones, Toni Cilek, and Joe Fulcher. Third row:
as well as from Russia, Italy, Margaret Schmidt, Maria Gurrister, Yulia Filatova, Cheryl Arismendi, and Mavis Kulak Kayikci. Back row: Nina
Turkey, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan Conrad, Peter Ramig, Massimiliano Marchiori, Peter Reitzes, Michelle Snead, and Kathleen Scaler Scott.
and New Zealand.
This course gives me the opportu-
nity to talk about how research
and clinical practice complement
each other, and to hear from spe-
cialists in the field about how this
relationship functions in the real
world of therapy.
The international flavor pro-
vides an excellent opportunity to
Ashley Jackson, Peter Reitzes, and
discuss diverse practices and expe- Toni Cilek take time for a picture dur-
riences with people who stutter, and ing the workshop.
these discussions help all of us who
Jennier Peacock (from left),
work with this population.” Massimiliano Marchiori, Calista Keck,
The response from those attend- Peter Reitzes, and Ashley Jackson
ing this year’s workshop has been visit the Field of Dreams.
outstanding.
“Attending the Iowa workshop who are also wanting to help those viding training to speech-language
made me feel like I was part of an who stutter. I appreciate your gen- pathologists throughout the world.
‘All-Star’ stuttering team wrestling erosity in making workshops like It provides many speech-patholo-
with this complicated disorder,” said this one come to life. I will have an gists who could never otherwise af-
Peter Reitzes of Brooklyn, N.Y. opportunity to meet with my col- ford it the opportunity to be well
“What a fantastic workshop leagues in the school district to trained in the field of fluency.”
here at Iowa,” said Cheryl share the workshop information.”
Information on upcoming work-
Arismendi of Pomona, Calif. “I Kathy Scaler Scott of shops can be found on the Stuttering
have learned so much and had a Flemington, N.J., said, “This pro- Foundation’s Web site, www.stutter-
wonderful time meeting others gram is an amazing method for pro- inghelp.org. ❑

5. WINTER 2006 1-800-992-9392 5
“I’m not hiding All-new DVD series for 1.0 CEUs
Do you ever remember a name, but whether treatment is recommended for
anymore” not recognize a face? Well, that’s
what may happen when you see one
young children.
E. Charles Healey, Ph.D., of the
By Rob Bloom
I stutter. I always have. In fact, I can re- of SFA’s newest productions. University of Nebraska-
member being three years old and trying The Child Who Stutters: Lincoln addresses the con-
very hard to push out the word “d-d-daddy.” Practical Ideas for ceptual framework
When it became apparent that I was not the School of CALMS as a
going to “grow out of it,” I decided I would Clinician Series model for planning
do whatever it took to keep my shameful has the same title stuttering assess-
stuttering a secret from the world. And thus as a former pro- ment and treatment.
began a life of substituting words, avoiding duction, but you Kristin A.
sounds, and quite won’t recognize it Chmela, M.A., of
frankly, living in fear. because everything Guitar Ramig Northwestern
I hid my stuttering about it is new. University discusses
throughout college, The six-DVD se- counseling, listening
often taking drastic ries, which offers and valuing, creat-
means to do so — speech-language ing communicative
from claiming to pathologists 1.0 space, taking timed
have laryngitis to CEUs, has been to- risks, and document-
giving a fake name tally redone. Chmela
ing your goals.
Healey
when meeting new Six fluency spe- Bill Murphy, M.A.,
people. Sure, I was Rob Bloom cialists went before of Purdue University
successful in lying to the camera this past discusses the emo-
the world…but the truth was catching up year to remake this tions of school-age
with me: in the form of a stomach ulcer. popular series. children, the stutter-
After graduation, I took a job writing for Barry Guitar, ing triangle, essen-
an advertising agency where I continued to Ph.D., of the tial tools, conspira-
Murphy Zebrowski
portray the role of a fluent speaker on the University of cy of easy fluency,
outside. But despite professional success Vermont describes and keys to progress.
and recognition, I could barely look at my- stuttering modification and Patricia Zebrowski, Ph.D., of the
self in the mirror. When the economy fluency shaping and demonstrates University of Iowa offers help to
slumped and my job was eliminated, I had both concepts. understand adolescence and discuss-
the opportunity to do a little soul-search- Peter Ramig, Ph.D., of the es motor training, mental training,
ing. It was then that I had a startling real- University of Colorado-Boulder and emotions.
ization: I needed to stop hiding. gives general information on stuttering, For more information on this DVD
I forced myself to face my fears directly. outlines basic principles, offers case series, visit www.stutteringhelp.org
One way I did this was to do the very thing studies, and suggests ways to determine or call 1-800-992-9392.
that scared me more than anything else:
stuttering. I walked into situations and in-
tentionally stuttered. Although agonizingly
difficult at first, I slowly began to desensi- SFA materials travel the world helping people
tize myself to the behavior. In addition, I Stuttering knows no boundaries. young people who stutter in
joined Toastmasters where I willingly It is a disorder that affects people Hebrew in the last 35
stood before a group of people and spoke. everywhere. years or more,” says
Did I stutter? Of course. But I also proved Just this year alone, SFA material Benny, chair of ISA.
to myself that I was much more than the has been translated into The DVDs, Stuttering
behavior of stuttering and even came to re- several different lan- and Your Child: Help for
alize that I actually enjoy public speaking. guages — most recently, Families, Stuttering:
In opening up about stuttering, I’ve dis- Lithuanian, Japanese, Straight Talk for
covered the stigma and fears that I’ve based and Hebrew. Teachers, and Stuttering:
my life around die a little bit more with each The Stuttering For Kids By Kids, have been converted
passing day. I’ve also accepted the fact that, Problem Club of to Japanese this year.
yes, I do stutter. I now know that if I stutter, Lithuania translated “It’s our really great honor to
my arms aren’t going to fall off and my head two books, Stuttering: An Integration produce
isn’t going to spin around. I’m just going of Contemporary Therapies and and pub-
to…well…stutter. And while this may al- Counseling Those Who Stutter into a lish such
ways be the case, I now realize that there are single publication. excellent
much more important things to focus on. Benny Ravid of the Israeli programs
Rob Bloom is a humor writer who has stuttered his en-
tire life. In addition to his humor column, Rob has written
Stuttering Association translated as your titles in Japanese versions,”
for the Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, and National Do You Stutter: A Guide for Teens writes Kazunari Katsumasa, CEO
Public Radio. You can read some of Rob's work at his Web into Hebrew. of the Institute of Medical
site, www.robbloom.com. ❑ “It is the first publication for Education. ❑

6. 6 www.stutteringhelp.org 1-800-992-9392
Boston workshoppers leave with enthusiasm
By Diane Fillion Parris, M.S.
Twenty speech-language patholo-
gists representing nine states in the U.S.,
Turkey, Thailand, and Lebanon, attended
the New England Workshop at Boston
University from June 22 – 26, 2005.
Instruction and practical experiences
in the diagnosis and treatment of children
and adolescents who stutter were lead by
Edward Conture, Ph.D., Vanderbilt
University, Susan Dietrich, Ph.D., Harvard
Medical School, Sheryl Gottwald, Ph.D.,
University of New Hampshire, and Diane
Parris, M.S., Boston University.
During the five-day workshop, partic-
ipants received instruction in differential
diagnosis of fluency disorders, interpreta-
tion of diagnostic findings, treatment tech- Front (front): Laura Halley, Vanessa Sheets Paddock, Jane Fraser, Elise Goodman, Debra Robinson, Ponjit
Jithavech, and Susan Dietrich. Second row: Sheryl Gottwald, Burcu Ardaman, Nancy Swartz, Dollen Tabri,
niques for motor speech behaviors as well Amanda Taylor, Tara Turken, Helen Selle, Rose Marie Pietrzyk, Susan Carnavale, and Laura Delaney. Back
as desensitization and counseling strate- row: Joe Fulcher, Diane Parris, Paul Quin, Christine LaFleur, Joe Wohlgemuth, Karen Dohn, Terry Colyar. Not
gies, and approaches to working with par- pictured are Jo Ellen Ryan and guest speaker Ed Conture.
ents and teachers. knowledge,” says Joseph J. Wohlgemuth writes, “I learned new therapy techniques
Guided practical training with local of New Jersey. in a wonderful, professional environment,
preschoolers, school-age children, and “The intense format of the work- techniques I have already put successfully
young teens left participants with enthusi- shop combined with the practice with in use with more than one patient. The
asm and confidence in their new skills. children helped transition the theory into joint efforts led by the Stuttering
“All of my students who stutter are practice,” states Paul Quin. Foundation of America are making a great
greatly benefiting from all of my new Dollen Tabri of Beirut, Lebanon, difference in many people’s lives.” ❑
Language Processing and Stuttering respiratory systems but is also determined by
Stuttering Continued from front page Dr. Christine Weber-Fox discussed the language processing.
studies and studies of families in Africa. neurological evidence for how individuals who She uses a research technique called
The evidence for genetic factors in stutter- stutter process linguistic information. Her pur- event-related potentials to illustrate how the
ing is overwhelming, with genetic factors playing pose in pursuing this line of research is to inves- brain processes information. A series of elec-
a role in at least half of all cases. Although stutter- tigate whether individuals who stutter exhibit trodes are placed on a person’s head and the
ing does cluster in families, severity does not. In atypical brain functions when they are process- electrical energy that is emitted while the indi-
other words, if you have a family member who ing linguistic in- vidual completes a task is measured by the
stutters, you are more likely to stutter. However, formation, such as Editor’s note: This en- electrodes. The researcher then examines the
if you have a family member who stutters severe- deciding whether tire article, including Drs. print-outs of the electrical waves to determine
ly, his or her severity does not put you at addition- a sentence con- Maguire’s and Foundas’ in what areas of the brain, and how quickly, the
al risk for stuttering nor does it relate to the sever- tains a grammati- research, can be found at brain processes a given signal.
ity of your own stuttering. cal error or www.stutteringhelp.org Her findings for adults who stutter show dif-
Another interesting finding is that the whether two under What’s New. ferences in their ability to accurately judge gram-
words rhyme. Her This article was great- matical information such as verb-agreement vio-
male-to-female ratio in familial cases of stutter-
ing is approximately 1.5:1. This means that in work is based on ly abridged because of lations. This reduced ability was also character-
families who appear to have some genetic trans- the theory that space limitations. ized by differences in the degree and patterns of
mission of stuttering, for every 1.5 cases of moments of stut- electrical energy in the brain. Additionally, in a
males who stutter, there is a case of a female tering, or breakdowns in speech motor control, study where individuals had to process different
who stutters. This figure is considerably differ- are related to difficulty processing elements of types of words or phrases (e.g., I didn’t know
ent from past reports of male-to-female ratios language such as grammar, retrieving specific what time it was so I looked at my rain), those
for stuttering, which have previously been de- words, or processing small units of speech such who stuttered showed a delay in processing that
scribed as 4 or 5 males for every 1 female. This as individual speech sounds or syllables. She was not seen in individuals who did not stutter.
suggests that genetic transmission of stuttering stated that current thinking in this area of re- Because the brain is plastic, or change-
affects females almost as frequently as males, search is that there are bidirectional influences able over time with experiences, it is difficult
and that the male-to-female ratio is much high- between language and motor processing. That is, to determine if these differences exist at the
er, probably 7 or 8 males for every 1 female, for the complexity of the sentence or timing de- onset of stuttering and thus could be partially
individuals with no family history of stuttering. mands in recalling a specific word seem to influ- responsible for the problem. Alternatively,
Despite this genetic evidence, however, ence the individual’s ability to generate the nec- because of plasticity, it might be that living
Dr. Drayna cautioned that most human medical essary sequence of muscle movements to say the with stuttering over time may contribute to
problems are a combination of genes and sentence, and vice versa. the differences being noted in adults as the
“something else,” such as environment or learn- Dr. Weber-Fox discussed a series of stud- brain attempts to compensate for stuttering.
ing. Also, geneticists who study stuttering are al- ies she and colleagues at Purdue University Therefore, Dr. Weber-Fox’s current research
most certain that there are many genes that con- have conducted that have led to their conclu- is focusing on making similar types of mea-
tribute to stuttering rather than one particular sion that stuttering is not based solely on an in- surements in children who stutter to deter-
gene having most responsibility. For example, dividual’s ability to execute a sequence of mine whether the differences noted for adults
there are over 100 genes that cause deafness. muscle movements in the mouth, larynx, and are present in younger individuals. ❑

7. WINTER 2006 1-800-992-9392 7
An almost famous singer
While the SFA’s Web site list of constantly passed over for a record-
Famous People Who Stutter includes ing contract.
many high-profile names, we like to Rory had to deal almost on a daily
think that every person who stutters basis with the Beatles’ success because
is unique in their own right. his sister Iris was Paul McCartney’s
One person who stutters who un- girlfriend for awhile, both before and
fortunately never became famous after the Beatles’ success. She was
was Rory Storm. Paul’s last Liverpool girlfriend, and Next time you peruse a magazine at the doctor’s office,
Born Alan Caldwell in Liverpool even after their break-up, Paul kept in don’t be surprised if you see a public service ad for the
in 1942, he took the name Rory touch regularly with Rory’s mother, Stuttering Foundation. Oprah’s O Magazine, Redbook,
Storm when he formed his own rock Violet Caldwell. In fact, when Paul Forbes, Good Housekeeping, Better Homes and
band, Rory Storm wrote Yesterday, the Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmo, Cosmogirl,
& the Hurricanes. first person he called and Newsweek are just a few of the major magazines
Rory stuttered was Violet Caldwell who have donated space this year. Major specialized
badly but was total- to sing it to her over publications supporting the foundation include
Physicians Practice, School Nurse News, and Discovery,
ly fluent when the phone. which is distributed aboard Princess Cruise ships. ❑
singing, as is the It was difficult
case for many peo- for a talented per-
ple. All accounts of son like Rory to be
Rory describe his passed over during
speech problem as the Liverpool craze
being severe. in rock history. He
Rory Storm & found it most diffi-
the Hurricanes was cult to adjust to a
the most popular life in which he
band in Liverpool Photo from www.beatlesource.com had to speak rather
and — at one point Rory Storm & the Hurricanes than sing.
— even had more Another hardship
fans than their friends The Beatles. would come later. While known on
Rory’s blonde hair and blue eyed the club scene throughout England,
good looks made him quite popular his trademark moves on stage cou-
with young women in Liverpool. pled with his blonde hair and good
Rory would indirectly make his- looks were legendary. It is widely be-
tory when he advised his drummer, lieved that an upstart singer Rod
Ritchie Starkey, to change his name Stewart, who saw Rory perform
because it did not sound artistic. Not many times in the early days, “stole” SFA material received special attention at the
wanting to change his name, the the singer’s trademark persona and Rensselaer (Ind.) Public Library.
drummer finally did when Rory sug- found success of his own with well-
gested he take the name “Ringo” be- choreographed moves on stage and
flaunting his blonde hair.
A special bookshelf
cause of the drummer’s penchant for
wearing rings. Rory successfully treated his The Rensselaer (Ind.) Public
speech problem and became a flu- Library did more than just place
Ironically, Rory Storm & the books and material on stuttering on a
Hurricanes played in the same club in ent disc jockey for several years.
However, tragedy would follow. In shelf. Glenda Brown made a special
Hamburg with the Beatles for a year. display complete with posters of fa-
Ringo Starr had to fill in many times 1972, shortly after the death of his
father and down on his luck, Rory mous people who stutter, videos and
for original Beatle drummer Pete other resources.
Best and it always went well. took an overdose of pills and
The material on the display was
When the Beatles canned Best whiskey to end his life. His dis- also available to check out.
just prior to recording their first traught mother died hours later of a The display was so good that the
record in 1962, Ringo was the heart attack. local newspaper did an entire article
unanimous choice to replace the True followers of the Liverpool on it and SFA supporter, Leon
popular Best. club scene prior to 1962 know that “Jigger” Sirois.
Rory was sorry to lose Ringo Rory Storm was just as talented as The Stuttering Foundation is able to
but wished him well. Unfortunately any of the acts that found fame in the make resources available free of
for Rory, he and the Hurricanes “British invasion.” Success was all charge to public libraries nationwide
would never see any glory days. around Rory Storm for many years, because of donations from people like
With Beatlemania in England, other but life dealt him an unfortunate Sirois of Williamsburg, Va.
groups out of Liverpool, such as hand. While he did not achieve fame If your local library doesn’t have
Gerry & the Pacemakers, achieved and fortune, his unique accomplish- SFA material, please encourage them
some success. However, Rory and ments put him on our radar screen as to contact the Foundation at 1-800-
his band fell on hard times and were a famous person who stutters. ❑ 992-9392. ❑

8. 8 www.stutteringhelp.org 1-800-992-9392
ASHA 2005
While temperatures for much of the
country began to drop for winter, it was a
different story in warm San Diego, Calif.,
which hosted the 2005 convention for the
American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association in mid-November.
The Foundation booth was wildly
busy with a number of items proving to
be very popular, including Stuttering: For
Kids, By Kids and the new DVD series.
Many volunteers staffed the booth.
A special thanks to Peter Ramig, Joe E. Charles Healey (left) and Joe Donaher speak with a customer.
Donaher, Charlie Healey, Peter Reitzes,
Tony Buhr, Vianne Bjornberg, Liz
Edwards, Steffi Schopick, Judy Kuster,
Nancy Ribbler, Glenn Weybright, Maria SFA anchor Carol Ecke gets ready for the
Gurrister, Brenda Malepeai, John Ellis, big rush.
Ryan Pollard, Tom Gurrister, Darrell
Dodge, Lorrie Scott, Julie Anderson,
Mark Pellowski, Kathleen Chase,
Jennifer Watson, Linda Louko, and
Susan Hamilton. ❑
Susan Hamilton and Marlene Taylor donated $500 to
the Stuttering Foundation from money they raised by
selling jewelry at the Cookie Lee booth.
Peter Reitzes answers a question. SFA materials draw a crowd.
Age factor Continued from page 3 reason for shunning direct speech therapy accumulating at a rapid pace but much
for preschoolers. Whereas some three-year remains to be learned.
Ambrose (2005) successfully obtained olds are either clearly, or appear to be, References
Ambrose, N., & Yairi, E. (1994). The develop-
high resolution structural MRI data from aware of stuttering, available experimental ment of awareness of stuttering in preschool chil-
stuttering and control children ages 8-13. data show a very large increase in aware- dren. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 19, 229-245.
Initial results indicate significant group ness between ages 4 and 5, including nor- Chang, S., Erickson, K., & Ambrose, N. (2005).
Regional white and grey matter volumetric growth
differences in white and grey matter vol- mally fluent children (Ambrose & Yairi, differences in children with persistent versus recov-
ume in brain areas involved in integrating 1994; Ezrati, Platzky, & Yairi, 2001). This ered stuttering: An MRI (VBM) study. Presented at
sensory and motor aspects of speech. information would seem to justify direct in- the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience,
tervention techniques as well as provide 2005, Washington, D.C. Program No. 565.5. 2005
Testing younger children closer to onset Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Online
should advance our knowledge. clues for the timing of intervention and Cox, N., Roe, C., Suresh, R., Cook, E.,
Evidence is also accumulating that age should be considered in counseling of par- Lundstrom, C., Garsten, M., Ezrati, R. Ambrose,
at onset may bear a relation to genetic fac- ents and teachers about reactions of normal- N., & Yairi, E. (2005). Chromosomal signals for
genes underlying stuttering. Presented at the
tors, in particular, it appears there may be ly fluent children to their stuttering peers. Oxford Disfluency Conference, Oxford University,
a trend for persistent stuttering to have a Finally, important information about Oxford, United Kingdom.
slightly later onset than recovered stutter- persistent stuttering may be uncovered by Ezrati, R., Platzky, R., & Yairi, E. (2001). The
young child's awareness of stuttering-like disfluen-
ing (Yairi & Ambrose, 2005). As the studying upper age groups — people who cy. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing
Illinois team continues to uncover possi- have stuttered for many years into ad- Research, 44, 368-380.
ble interactions among different genetic vanced ages. Perhaps they exhibit more Rommel, D., Hage, A., Kalehne, P., &
loci (Cox, et al., 2005), the age factor pronounced characteristics that reveal Johannsen, H. (1999). Developmental, mainte-
nance, and recovery of childhood stuttering:
should become more clear. differences not easily identifiable in the Prospective longitudinal data 3 years after first con-
Age is also a risk factor in regard to chil- typical child or young adult who stutters. tact. In K. Baker, L. Rustin, & K. Baker (Eds.),
dren’s awareness of disfluent speech. The Indeed, our team’s members are current- Proceedings of the fifth Oxford disfluency confer-
ence (pp.168-182). Chappell Gardner, UK:
belief that preschoolers who stutter lack in ly pursuing structural brain imaging stud- Windsor, Berkshire.
such awareness played a major role in theo- ies of aged people who stutter. Watkins, R., Yairi, E., & Ambrose, N.G. (1999).
ries and developmental models of the disor- All of the above serve to highlight the Early childhood stuttering III: Initial status of ex-
pressive language abilities. Journal of Speech,
der. For many years, clinicians’ assumption role of age in the onset and development Language, and Hearing Research, 42, 1125-1135.
that awareness would trigger strong emo- of stuttering, in subtype differentiation, Yairi, E. & Ambrose, N. (2005). Early childhood
tions (e.g., anxiety) in children was the main and in treatment strategies. Knowledge is stuttering. Austin: Pro-Ed, Inc. ❑

9. WINTER 2006 1-800-992-9392 9
Dear SFA: Reader Response
Send letters to SFA, P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749 or email info@stutteringhelp.org.
Video gets four stars School scares me
Dear SFA: Hi:
Stuttering: For Kids, By Kids is I am very happy I found your Web
about stuttering. What I liked about site. Stuttering is a real problem for
the movie was that the children in the me and I think it is going to limit the
video say that they are not shy to talk. opportunities I have in life. I am only
Another thing I liked about it was that 13. I always get nervous in school and
the children stutter and they just kept sometimes I can’t ask important ques-
on talking. For example, when they tions because I can’t say it quickly. If
spoke they just let their stuttering out I didn’t stutter, I would look forward
and did not care about their stuttering. to school and I would be an actress
During speech class, I watched this and sing! But I can’t and I am scared
video with four of my friends. My when I go to school because you don’t
friend Katie said, “I learned that stutter- know if you are going to have to read
ing is not a big deal because everyone something out loud. If you have any
has problems.” Jennifer said, “I learned ideas for helping me, please e-mail!
that some people can help themselves Thank you for your support and I ap-
with stuttering.” Martha said, “What I preciate every bit of it!!
learned was that you should tell your Sarah
friends if you stutter.” Susan said, Atlanta
“What I learned is that stuttering is not
Editor: Help has gone out to Sarah.
funny.” My speech teacher said, “I am
so glad that Melissa shared her stutter-
ing and this video with her friends.”
Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images. Copyright 2004 NBAE. Used with permission. Workplace survey
Melissa
Since our summer newsletter, we have heard from Marshall Rice, Ph.D. of York
many people who have been inspired by Denver University in Toronto, Canada, is
Fifth grade Nuggets basketball sensation Kenyon Martin. He is now
New York included on our 16 Famous People Who Stutter poster. conducting a survey on the impact of
stuttering at work. To enable him to
am surprised that so many famous peo- better understand the issues and
I do what I want to do ple stutter. I like reading the letters. challenges that people who stutter
Dear SFA: John
My name is John. I am 11 years face on the job. The research may
Chicago help identify policies that will help
old. I am a 5th grader in Chicago. I
like to read and hang out with to prevent discrimination against
friends. I have been stuttering since
Web site a great help people who stutter. Please complete
Dear SFA: the confidential survey online at:
kindergarten. At first when I stut- I thank you for your Web site. My
tered I couldn’t get every word that www.survey-city.com/survey/stut-
mother has stuttered all of her life. ter/pws.html. If you have questions,
I said out of my mouth. But then
And she has always been embar- contact Dr. Marshall Rice at
when I got older I tend to repeat
words two or three times and then I rassed to talk to people due to her mrice@schulich.yorku.ca or at 416-
am fluent. My dad also stutters but stuttering. I also use to stutter when 736-2100, Ext. 58241.
not that much. My little brother I was younger. I still do, when I am
also stutters. nervous. My son, brother and many Online journal
I notice that when I am not paying of my uncles and aunts still stutter. I Peter Reitzes and Gregory Snyder will
attention to how I talk, I don’t stutter. was so surprised to see how many launch an online journal, The Journal of
I never stutter when I sing or when people has stuttered. Because of Stuttering Therapy, Advocacy, and
I’m in a play. I don’t let stuttering your Web site, my mother is not as Research, to be ready in February,
stop me from doing any thing I want ashamed of her stuttering. www.JournalofStuttering.com. To sub-
to do. When I am stuttering I don’t I cannot thank you enough for al- mit papers, e-mail Gregory Snyder, at
like it when people interrupt me. lowing so many people to see that they OleMiss@GregorySnyder.com.
I don’t care that I stutter. Stuttering were not alone. If you can help others
actually helps me meet new people as you did my mother and myself, NSSLHA chapters donate
because either some of my friends in- than you are doing something great. Thanks to The Florida State University
troduce me to their friends or they Keep up the good work. God bless and the Eastern Washington University
make sure that I am in a group pro- you all for reaching out to people like chapters of the National Student Speech-
ject, and I meet new kids there. me and my family. Thank you. Language-Hearing Association, which
My speech therapist told me about Francis recently donated to the SFA. Their gener-
your Web site and your newsletter. I Boston ous gifts will help children who stutter. ❑

10. 12 www.stutteringhelp.org 1-800-992-9392
Brain Continued from page 2 pertain to the metronome effect, unison ganglia may be disturbed because of
reading, imitation of an accent, and role deficient input from the primary motor
(However, he did not discuss stuttering.) play. Furthermore, cortex. In this way the basal ganglia
According to this model, both systems there are re- model is compatible with the recent re-
have the ability to provide go-signals for search data ports of structural anomalies of the cor-
movements, but under somewhat differ- supporting tex and the white matter, e.g. in the sen-
ent conditions. The lateral system, con- that it is the sorimotor region for the speech organs
sisting of the lateral premotor cortex and lateral system (Foundas et al., 2001; Sommer et al.,
the cerebellum, is active when the move- that is dominant for 2002; Jancke et al., 2004; Watkins et
ment is controlled in relation to the senso- go-signals during al., 2005). A more detailed account of
ry input — like when speaking to the singing and rhythmic speech, conditions this dual premotor model of stuttering
pace of a metronome or reading in uni- know to improve fluency.
son. Similarly, the lateral system is dom- is currently under way.
An interesting question is how the A pdf-file of the thesis can be downloaded
inant when speech is controlled by audi- effect of altered auditory feedback on from http://theses.lub.lu.se/postgrad/ (However,
tory or somatosensory feedback. stuttering can be explained, for exam- the online version does not yet include all the re-
search papers, because of copyright questions.
In contrast, the medial system, consist- ple frequency altered feedback (FAF). For missing papers contact Per.Alm@psycholo-
ing of the basal ganglia and the SMA, There are now several brain imaging gy.lu.se. Printed copies of the complete thesis can
operates based on automatized programs studies showing specific activation of be ordered from the Swedish Stuttering
without external feedback. This system is Association, kansliet@stamning.se, maybe about
the lateral premotor system when lis- $20 including postage.)
dominant during spontaneous speech, es- tening to speech sounds. Moreover, re- References
pecially if the speech is propositional, i.e. cent brain imaging data (Watkins, Alm, PA (2004). Stuttering and the basal ganglia cir-
that it conveys thoughts or emotions. cuits: a critical review of possible relations. Journal of
Davis, & Howell, 2005) have shown Communication Disorders, 37, 325-69.
The lateral system is also assumed to be increased activation of the auditory Alm, PA (2005). On the causal mechanisms of stutter-
active when a movement is executed with cortex during speech with FAF. These ing. Doctoral thesis. Dept. of Clinical Neuroscience, Lund
University, Sweden.
increased attention and conscious control, findings point to increased control Caruso, AJ (1991). Neuromotor processes underlying
while the medial system dominates for au- from the lateral system during altered stuttering. In Peters et al. Speech motor control and stutter-
tomatic responses. This is claimed to be the feedback, so that difficulties with the ing (101-16).
Foundas, AL et al. (2001). Anomalous anatomy of
reason why it is difficult to get a natural medial system may be bypassed. This speech-language areas ... Neurology, 57, 207-15.
smile when asked by a photographer — hypothesis is supported by reports that Goldberg, G (1985). Supplementary motor area ...
some speech difficulties in Behavioral Brain Sci, 8, 567-616.
voluntary and spontaneous smiles are cre- Goldberg, G (1991). Microgenetic theory and the dual
ated by two different systems in the brain. Parkinson’s disease, which is a basal premotor systems hypothesis. In Hanlon Cognitive micro-
This distinction suggests that the lateral ganglia disorder, may be improved by genesis (32-52).
either delayed or frequency altered au- Jancke, L et al. (2004). Morphological brain differ-
system is in charge when speaking in a way ences ... BMC Neurology, 4.
that is not automatic, like imitating an ac- ditory feedback. Ludlow, CL et al. (1987). Site of penetrating brain le-
cent or playing a role. An important aspect of the dual pre- sions ... Ann Neurol, 22, 60-6.
Molt LF (1999). The basal ganglia's possible role in stut-
This dual premotor systems model of motor model is that it emphasizes that tering. Proc. 2nd Internat. Stuttering Awareness Day,
stuttering provides a novel explanation for the basal ganglia system is part of a Internet.
most of the well-known fluency inducing larger medial system, including the Sommer, M et al. (2002). Disconnection of speech-rel-
evant brain areas ... Lancet, 360, 380-3.
conditions in stuttering. Stuttering is relat- complete loop from the cortex through Watkins, K, Davis, M, & Howell, P (2005). Brain ac-
ed to a disturbance of the medial system, the basal ganglia and the thalamus, and tivity during altered auditory feedback. Paper at the Oxford
back to the cortex (the SMA). For ex- Dysfluency Conference 2005, Oxford.
but when the control is shifted from the Watkins, RV, Yairi, E, & Ambrose, NG (1999). Early
medial to the lateral system the problem is ample, as suggested in Alm (2004), the childhood stuttering III. J Speech Lang Hear Res, 42,
bypassed. As mentioned above, this could production of go-signals from the basal 1125-35. ❑
Newsbriefs and Books, usually found
Workshops on this page, are at What’s New,
www.stutteringhelp.org
The Stuttering Foundation of America is a tax-ex-
empt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code and is classified as a pri-
Stuttering Therapy: Practical Ideas vate operating foundation as defined in section
for the School Clinician 4942(j)(3). Charitable contributions and be-
June 9-10, 2006 — Chicago quests to the Foundation are tax-
With Kristin Chmela, M.A., E. Charles Healey, Ph.D., deductible, subject to limitations under the Code.
Bill Murphy, M.A., Peter Ramig, Ph.D.,
Lisa A. Scott, Ph.D., and Patricia Zebrowski, Ph.D.
THE
The Mid-Atlantic Workshop: Treating STUTTERING
Children and Adolescents Who Stutter
Co-sponsored by the Children’s
FOUNDATION
Hospital of Philadelphia A Nonprofit Organization
June 21-25, 2006 Since 1947 — Helping Those Who Stutter
Our best wishes for a happy new year!
With Joseph Donaher, M.A., Kristin Chmela, M.A., 3100 Walnut Grove Road, Suite 603
The SFA staff: (Front row, L to R) Lisa Scott, Jane
and Lisa A. Scott, Ph.D . Fraser and Susie Hall; (Back row, L to R) Joan Warner,
P.O. Box 11749 ● Memphis, TN 38111-0749
Applications are available online Roberta Brugge, Pat Hamm, Lisa Hinton and Anne 1-800-992-9392 ● 1-800-967-7700
at www.stutteringhelp.org Edwards. Not pictured are John Bell, Carol Ecke, Don www.stutteringhelp.org www.tartamudez.org
or call 1-800-992-9392 Edwards, Joe Fulcher, Patty Reed and Scot Squires. info@stutteringhelp.org