Free Speech Therapy is School Benefit

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (July 22, 2009) — At a time of spiraling health care costs, speech therapy is one free benefit many parents can appreciate. If your child stutters, he or she may be eligible for free speech therapy in school.

Under federal law, public and private schools must provide special education services such as speech therapy to children, even preschoolers, who need them. "Unfortunately, many parents aren't aware that this free resource exists and that it can save them hundreds of dollars in health care costs," said Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation. “Stuttering therapy may not be covered by employer-based health insurance either.”

The Stuttering Foundation recently published a new brochure,Special Education Law and Children Who Stutter, which explains how parents can obtain speech therapy for a child through the school system. It takes some of the mystery out of the process by explaining how schools evaluate a child's special needs and suggests what parents can do if they disagree with the outcome.

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and parents who understand the system and are persistent can get the help they need," says Fraser.

Because guidelines vary from one school district to another, there's no guarantee that every child who stutters will receive free help. That's because most schools base the need on the severity of the stuttering problem; those with mild symptoms may not be entitled to free assistance.

"If you don't get the help your child needs from the school, don't wait for the problem to get worse," says Lisa Scott, Ph.D., of Florida State University. “The Stuttering Foundation can help you find a therapist near you. It is important to get help for your child early to minimize the long term effects of stuttering.”

For a free copy of Special Education Law and Children Who Stutter and list of therapists, call the Stuttering Foundation helpline at 800-992-9392 or visit www.stutteringhelp.org. The Stuttering Foundation also offers other resources for parents and children, including books, DVDs, and other brochures.

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Mel Tillis

Mel Tillis, born Lonnie Melvin Tillis, was an influential figure in country music, both as a songwriter and a performer. His journey to fame was marked by overcoming personal challenges, including a stutter that he turned into a defining part of his public persona.

Lewis Carroll

The recent Disney version of Lewis Carroll’s classic, Alice in Wonderland, garnered a great deal of media hype. Even though the mainstream media has not made mention that Carroll was a person who stuttered, his family history gives credence to the discovery of the genetic link to stuttering. Carroll was born to parents who were first cousins; almost all of their eleven children, three girls and seven boys, struggled with stuttering past childhood.

Byron Pitts

Byron Pitts has brought much attention to stuttering with his memoir, Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges, released in September, 2009. The book not only details his speech difficulties, but also his illiteracy until age 12 and his unstable family life. Pitts overcame the odds to become the chief national correspondent with ABC News.

Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin, the basketball sensation who was named to the NBA’s All Star Team in 2004, joins other famous people who stutter in a new brochure. The brochure - which unfolds into a small poster - is available free of charge from The Stuttering Foundation.

The poster is intended to give children and adults who stutter inspiration as they grapple with their speech disorder.

Alan Rabinowitz

Alan Rabinowitz, Ph.D., who passed away in 2018, was an explorer, wildlife conservationist, and author. He established the Hukawng Valley Tiger Reserve in northern Myanmar, which is about the size of the state of Vermont.

His love for animals began when he was very young.