News Release
April 24, 2007.

New project to ensure all preschool children who stammer get help to prevent a lifetime of stammering

The British Stammering Association is countering NHS funding cuts with a new project to ensure that vital therapy is given to all preschool children who stammer. Clinical trials show that preschool treatment is highly effective and prevents a lifetime of stammering.

The Association is working closely with NHS speech and language therapists to develop a care plan needing no extra funding to succeed - just a change of attitude and emphasis.

At the same time, one of the pioneers of therapy for young children, Professor Mark Onslow from the University of Sydney, will be in London from Monday April 30 to present the latest evidence for preschool therapy.

"No child should start school having missed out on therapy for stammering. Without early help, difficulty with speaking can cause all sorts of problems in a child's life," said Professor Onslow. "Clinical trials show that therapy soon after they start to stammer will have extremely good long term results and save expensive treatment costs later."

"Therapy has improved and the evidence for early treatment has become stronger, while therapy services have been weakened by funding cuts," said British Stammering Association chief executive Norbert Lieckfeldt. "This is immensely frustrating for parents, and is why we have developed this project."

When William Greaves, 4, started to stammer severely, he became more aggressive and much less affectionate. He was soon able to have specialist therapy which has greatly reduced his stammering. "He has rediscovered his confidence and is calmer and very affectionate," said his mother, Jo. "We are incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to have the treatment but it is heartbreaking to know that because of NHS funding cuts, so many pre-schoolers and their parents are being denied specialist help for their stammering child."

"Health Trusts will not require extra funding to provide therapy that will last a lifetime. Parents should contact BSA for details of their local speech and language therapy service or if they cannot get an appointment," said Mr Lieckfeldt.

More information and contacts:

Andrew Harding: 020 8983 1003        07908 685 215 (Norbert Lieckfeldt)

Professor Mark Onslow will be available for interview on Monday April 30 or Tuesday afternoon, May 1st.
Mobile:+ 61 0400 001 611     e: m.onslow@usyd.edu.au
www.stammering.org

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