Virtual Learning

Virtual Learning by The Stuttering Foundation is an online series of free, interactive workshops with a variety of offerings for speech-language pathologists, parents, and individuals who stutter.

The series includes monthly offerings ranging from clinical training opportunities, to parent education, to a platform for people who stutter of all ages to share their stories. Sessions are moderated by many of the world’s leading clinicians, researchers, and self-help advocates — bringing learning and collaboration to you.

Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®): An Action-Oriented Approach for Young Children and their Parents

Speakers: Vivian Sisskin, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF; Jessica Wertz, M.A., CCC-SLP

Date: Monday, August 12

Time: 6:30-8:00pm ET

Click to Register

Description: Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®) is a stutter-affirming approach to therapy that guides stutterers on their individualized journey of acceptance and change. Those who stutter are supported to embrace their difference and reduce physical and emotional reactivity to disfluency. The stutterer lets go of struggle, whether fear-based or habitual, and thrives with spontaneous disfluency. Therapy outcomes include efficiency, comfort, and confidence in communication.

During this virtual learning event, Sisskin and Wertz provide a brief overview of the ARTS® framework and present 8 speech and counseling goals that lead to desired outcomes. They will demonstrate how ARTS® concepts and rationales are applied to preschool-age children to support both the young child who stutters and their parents/caregivers. Case study and examples will highlight this action-oriented approach to therapy.

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Marilyn Monroe

From Edward S. Herrington's letter to Southcoasttoday.com

I am writing in response to "The importance of voice" (May 29), which mentioned that famous actor James Earl Jones struggled with stuttering. Another famous voice that you cited was the trademark breathy voice of Marilyn Monroe; however, you did not make mention of the fact that Marilyn Monroe also struggled with stuttering at various points in her life, sometimes very painfully.

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.

James Earl Jones

Actor James Earl Jones, a Broadway, television and movie star, is well-known for his voice as Darth Vader in Star Wars and his book Voices and Silences. Jones has spoken some of the most memorable lines in the history of American film, but the man known for his voice was once afflicted with a severe stutter.

Darren Sproles

Darren Sproles, a former player for The Philadelphia Eagles, the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers, made history in 2007 when he became the first player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt for his first two NFL touchdowns in the same game. In 2021, he was selected to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

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.