Spring 2008

Educational achievement and the child who stammers Stammering need not be a barrier to achievement. In the first of a series of articles, BSA's education officer Cherry Hughes looks at monitoring with teachers your child's performance against their ability levels, and at 'School Action'.

In memory of Sandra Stewart (1954 - 2008) Sandra Stewart was Vice Convenor of BSA Scotland for two years, and a leader of the Grampian Stammering Self Help Group.

A royal occasion Speech therapy at City Lit was recently awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of its work in adult stammering therapy.

Winter 2007

Does ignorance lead to discrimination? Peter Pascoe hopes this article will promote discussion and help to develop ways and means of educating people who provide frontline customer services.

Inside stories of stammering Phil Schneider's documentary 'Transcending Stuttering' follows the journey of seven people who stammer. David Vitler reports on a screening in August 2007, followed by discussion with Dr Schneider.

Levelling the playing field for promotions An employment tribunal case on recruitment procedures has been won by a person who stammers, but is being appealed by the employer.

Outdoor Adventure and Stammering The Fluency Trust is a charity which funds outdoor adventure courses for young people who stammer, alongside intensive speech therapy funded by the NHS. Here is a parent's and child's perspective on one of their courses.

Stammering is no joke BSA Vice Chair Leys Geddes is spearheading a media campaign to combat public perceptions that stammering is something to be laughed at.

time2talk music CD Doncaster Stammering Association (DSA) has launched the first ever CD of music to raise awareness of stammering and its effects. BSA Education Officer Cherry Hughes reports.

Walking tall Following his workshops on Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) at the BSA Conference in September 2007, Terry McElhinney describes something of his own experience of stammering and NLP.

What works By Salman Alam. "The most important thing is when you start believing in things that work, for example, if I remember not to hide my stammer by trying to be fluent then everything starts working."

Autumn 2007

Army gave support and confidence to communicate While the army can be a tough environment if you stammer, Phil Lowes found the support and confidence to succeed. It was good preparation for civilian life.

City Lit speech therapy gets top grade The speech therapy department at City Lit is well-known as a centre of excellence in adult stammering therapy. Earlier this year its reputation was officially recognised by the Adult Learning Inspectorate.

Climbing out of difficulty The connections between getting over a stammer and overcoming a difficult physical challenge were revealed to Sarah Johnson on a recent rock climbing trip.

Helping tomorrow's therapists help people who stammer Alan Badmington's experience of giving talks to American student speech-language therapists about his experiences of stuttering, and a case study from City University, London.

How I called a truce on my war of words Darren Stockford recounts how an intensive City Lit course helped him loosen the grip that stammering had on his voice and his life.

How to succeed at university if you stammer Ramesh Summan writes for students who stammer and their parents about the support available at university.

On a hiding to nothing by pretending not to stammer The only problem with not stammering was that he was not really living. Anthony Leahy describes how accepting his stammer freed him from fear.

When speech is too cluttered Having been misdiagnosed for years with a stammer, Peter Kissagizlis gives an insight into the rare communication disorder of cluttering.

Summer 2007

Access to career Andrew Harding reports on how electronic devices can be obtained through the Access to Work Scheme.

Diary of using a VoiceAmp device In January 2007, Dominic Willis tried one of the new VoiceAmp devices. He describes some of the ups and downs of using it in everyday life.

John Norcross - obituary John has been part of the bedrock of BSA for many years.

Relax - and you are more in control There's no magic in hypnotherapy and it covers many different things, but a skilled therapist can sometimes help to make lasting changes. Andrew Harding reports.

Software for better speech Overview of DAF/FAF software that can be downloaded and in some cases used on a mobile phone or portable computer.

Some strategies that can be used to stop bullying Response to Bully boys get trapped below the belt in the Spring 2007 issue.

Stammering therapy improves despite NHS cuts Speech therapists from East Lancashire PCT introduce pictures by a group of clients representing their stammer and reflections on them, as well as a poem about stammering.

"Ya Ya You Don't Know M Me..." - inside the head of a young person who stammers In the previous Speaking Out, David Yates described how he rebuilt his confidence after being bullied at school. Here, he talks about life after school.

What's special about acting? Some people who stammer have become famous through acting, or found it helps their speech. Paul Brocklehurst takes a closer look to see if there really is a connection.

Spring 2007

After nine months SpeechEasy gives birth to new freedom Last June, Heidi King was one of the first people in Britain to get the SpeechEasy device. Her increased fluency enabled her to speak openly and frankly in all kinds of situations. She describes how she uses it to best effect.

Bully boys get trapped below the belt Surprise is a good tactic against bullies, says David Yates, but you still need a lot of confidence to make things better for yourself.

Electronic devices Outlines some of the issues to consider with altered auditory feedback devices, and some of the products on the market.

How I escaped the comforts of stammering When Steve Sheasby started the integrated therapy course at London's City Lit in May 2005 he was blocking on nearly every word. Combining the 'speak more fluently' and the 'stammer more fluently' approaches has worked to great advantage. Here's how.

Keeping the wheels on Paul Brown's positive attitude has not let his stammer stop him from building a successful career in motor racing. He is now a number one mechanic for Team LNT, and responsible for a GT2 car that was the winner in its class in Le Mans last year.

New developments in special educational needs provision and training There have been some developments in guidance and advice to schools which on balance would seem to improve the support for children who stammer. By Cherry Hughes, BSA education officer.

Revealing and healing - a mindfulness approach to stammering Carolyn Cheasman at London's City Lit introduces a new course based on the mindfulness approach and describes the value of connecting with the full experience of stammering.

The rules for mastering a stammer Gaining confidence through public speaking was the best therapy for Dylan Jones. The editor of GQ magazine tells Jan Anderson about the real value of just having to speak.

Using counselling in stammering therapy There is now wide recognition that therapy should go beyond speech to address the whole person. At the International Fluency Association conference in Dublin last year, Jackie Turnbull showed how counselling in therapy works with people who stammer.

Winter 2006

BSA Conference 2006, Telford Velda Osborne, chair of the organising committee, reflects on feedback from our September 2006 conference.

BSA London Open Day 2006 By Tanveer Ali. "Organising the open day was a way of expanding my comfort zone and going beyond what I thought possible."

Fluency techniques and the skills to use them in one course Clients and London's City Lit team talk about the results so far from a new intensive course which combines a 'speak more fluently' approach with a 'stammer more fluently' approach.

Life coach or speech coach? The life coach is a mix of therapist, adviser, strategist, friend, mentor, and more. With such a broad focus, how do you know what you are getting into, or what you will get out of it?

My stammer is a secret informant When BSA Scotland's Jan Anderson spoke to David Mitchell, author of the Booker nominated Black Swan Green, at the Edinburgh Book Festival in August, he revealed a vital clue to his success. (Also, Let me speak is a longer article by David.)

Nottingham self help group, 1986-2006, and beyond By David Preece. How the Nottingham group began and has developed over two decades.

Say it again, says telephone Sam Voice recognition - stammering not being understood by a computer on an automated telephone call.

Therapy leads in treatment of stammering David Vitler gives an overview of some highlights from the 5th World Congress on Fluency Disorders, 2006 which would be most useful from the point of view of answering calls on the BSA helpline, particularly from parents of small children.

Physiological indices of speech and language processes: new windows on the onset of stuttering in young children Anne Smith talks about work which may help understand the factors that contribute to the onset of stuttering, and aid in predicting which children who are stuttering are likely to develop a chronic problem.

Autumn 2006

Are children who stammer more sensitive by nature? A new study has shown that young children who stammer may be more emotionally sensitive, and have greater difficulty regulating their feelings, than children who don't stammer.

Genetics - how stammering can run in families Article on Dennis Drayna, a Keynote speaker at BSA's 2006 conference, and genetic aspects of stammering.

The great benefits of stuttering on purpose It's a simple idea that needs a robust and organised approach. After years of trying to speak fluency all the time, Geoff Johnston explains how to make voluntary stammering work for you.

Is this why we don't stammer when we sing? Research on stammering now looks at parts of the brain that provide start signals for speech. Could a malfunction here explain why stress triggers stammering? Per Alm explores this new area.

One step closer to drug treatment of stammering Would you take a drug to reduce stammering? In June tests of a new drug showed positive results, but how close is it to being available? Martin Sommer reports on the study led by professor Gerald Maguire, and on the background to drug research.

Perseverance helped to create my luck Tony Smith describes how his continual experiments with different ways of speaking helped to overcome his stammering.

Right - I'll prove them wrong! Tony Stewart describes how he progressed from installation technician to professor of public health, starting with a rude manager.

Speech is now easier in the new language of fluency Last June, Heidi King went to New York to try the SpeechEasy device, not knowing if it would work. She was lucky, and gives a valuable insight into how the device works in everyday life.

Altered auditory feedback devices: two articles on research 'More research needed on using devices in real life' and 'SpeechEasy research shows the effect differs for each person'.

Summer 2006

Minding your own business What does it take to start your own business? Does stammering make a difference? Speaking Out spoke with three BSA members who recently started their own business in photography, craft retailing, and personal coaching.

My commitment to speaking about stuttering is opening so many new doors Alan Badmington believes that the lives of many people who stutter can be significantly improved if more of us are prepared to speak publicly about the subject.

A new look at stammering and disability It has often been difficult to know whether a person with a relatively mild or less overt stammer falls within DDA. New guidance reflecting comments by BSA should help extend the range of stammering covered.

The reluctant campaigner Heidi King is passionate about people who stammer having a wide range of options beyond conventional therapy. She spoke to Speaking out before leaving for New York to try the new SpeechEasy device.

Theory in treatment of early stuttering: a debate How can stammering in young children be treated effectively if the causes are not known? This is the edited version of an email debate between professors Mark Onslow and Scott Yaruss.

The time of my life Indiana Gregg is a singer/songwriter whose debut album Something Like Me was released in April. She tells Speaking Out about the struggles and hard work that lay behind it.

The use of voice recognition analysis to combat crime As an insurance broker and someone who stammers Martin McGibbon has serious concerns about voice recognition analysis systems and the affect that they will have on us when calling a call centre to report a claim.

Spring 2006

European Parliament declaration on stammering BSA Trustee Leys Geddes was one of those who attended an ELSA reception in Strasbourg, briefing Members of the European Parliament and receiving their endorsement of a declaration on stuttering.

England and the real world "The message I would like to give out to people through my story is that you should never be afraid to express yourself. Don't be shy or embarrassed by what other think of you."

Fluency - it starts with the mind Sarah Johnson explains how a recent NLP course taught her to stand back and analyse her feelings and then start to build lasting fluency.

Going live...now Five years ago, Gareth Cottrell could hardly imagine graduating with a degree in radio production. He now does live broadcasts in Leeds and Tameside.

People can't read your mind By telling another person that you might stammer, you can give them a clear idea of what is happening and how to react, William Martin has found.

Practical tips From Speaking Out readers. Has something good happened to you, or have you gained something good from a bad experience?

Research highlights The first in an occasional series of updates on the latest research into stammering, presented by members of the BSA research subcommittee who describe some highlights of recent research.

Shock! Horror! Excitement! A ten-year retrospective on stuttering research At the 2005 Oxford Dysfluency Conference, Mark Onslow identified some of the basic issues on how to develop therapies that have a good evidence base.

Stammering and its therapy: a cognitive or physical problem? Mike Jones, who runs NLP workshops for people who stammer, summarises what he now believes stammering is and reflects on suitable candidates for a cognitive approach. Also feedback from Tom Weidig and reply by Mike Jones.

The time of my life According to his GP, Jim Cowan's stammer was hardly noticeable. So why did he decide to start a life-changing process of therapy?

Winter 2005

BSA calls for wider range of stammering to be recognised as a disability Recent consultations and other developments on the Disability Discrimination Act.

BSA trustees BSA's board for 2005/6. The BSA trustees plan the overall strategy and direction of BSA's work.

Collaborative practice - an education perspective (2nd article) BSA education officer Cherry Hughes discusses issues that arise as she has experienced them from a teacher's viewpoint.

Friends for life at European summer camp Reports from ELSA's 2005 Youth Meeting - people from across Europe with a wide variety of experiences came together to talk and form close friendships during one week in July. Also 'two years on' from ELSA 2003.

Helping Christopher - life with a child who stammers Good therapy can help to change a child's life, but patience and understanding at home create the foundation says Yvonne Thomas.

Practical tips From Speaking Out readers. Has something good happened to you, or have you gained something good from a bad experience?

Prestigious award BSA webmaster, Allan Tyrer, and three professionals who specialise in stammering have received awards from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

The strength within us How does NLP work in practice? A course participant describes how one of the core techniques helped more than she thought possible.

You don't have to be an athlete to make use of sports psychology Having studied sports science at university Rich Whincup, a trainer and consultant for the McGuire Programme, felt there was a great deal of locked potential within the subject.

Autumn 2005

Beyond a search for fluency Having hidden her stammer all her life, Lisette Wesseling had to do very thing she hated doing, when trying speech therapy again. Then the secret began to lose its power.

Celebrating 50 years of stammering Reflections by Peter Fidler on learning how to stammer.

The danger of denying excitement By George Campbell. "When I deny excitement to avoid stammering ... I am not letting myself through."

Ending the block - preparing for speech and for life A G Russell describes a technique he has found useful to end a block.

Freedom to speak in Hyde Park Rachel Albert reports on the picnic in Hyde Park last June, attended by over 120 BSA members, family and friends.

New evidence for treating young children with the Lidcombe Program Major study published in the British Medical Journal - August 2005.

Nights to remember for BSA members in Sweden Six members of the Sunday Socials group went to the Stockholm Stuttering Organisation conference in May. A trip to Finland is planned for 2006.

You are what you think John Hannon talks about a coaching skills workshop at City Lit that he designed and led.

7th Oxford Dysfluency Conference, 2005 Reports on some of the presentations and workshops at this international conference held in summer 2005.

Telephone self-help group conference call summaries:     John Harrison - true understanding before true recovery     Catherine Montgomery - integrated therapy

Summer 2005

Collaborative practice - an education perspective More speech and language therapists are working in mainstream schools to support children who stammer. BSA Education officer, Cherry Hughes provides some ideas on developing this link between the therapy service and education.

Driving instructor at last William Ingram explains how he uses the pressurised situation of driving instruction to his advantage.

Not such nice work - if you can get it Stammering has a negative effect on work for a large majority of people who stammer, according to a US study (2005).

Slack syllabic relationships Retired speech and language therapist Franklin Brook describes the first of two techniques he developed to reduce stammering and produce a more fluent and relaxed way of speaking.

What employers really want from you at an interview In the second of two articles on how to succeed at job interviews, management trainer Chris Roach shows the qualities and skills that interviewers want to see from candidates.

What is the relationship between stuttering and anxiety? Professor Ashley Craig and Dr Yvonne Tran, University of Technology, Sydney

Why kill your body? - it's your mind that is the problem A threat of suicide from a client needed fast, firm action, says Indian therapist Ajit Harisinghani, who describes a very direct way of helping a client in distress.

Telephone self-help group conference call summaries:     Bob Bodenhamer - mastering blocking and stuttering     Starfish Project founder Anne Blight

Spring 2005

Celebrating the BSA Christmas spirit Rachel Albert on our third Christmas party at the Bonnington Hotel in London, in December 2004.

The dreaded job interview: secret tips from an employer for people who stammer! In the first of two articles, management trainer Chris Roach shows how you can give yourself the advantage by knowing what employers are looking for in an interview.

How to get time on your side Painful memories can be dealt with by connecting with them and then letting go of them says John Russell.

'I had to learn to stammer before controlling it' Charlie Barnes felt more comfortable patrolling Basrah in Iraq than starting the Starfish course. Returning from Iraq, he was about to face his biggest challenge.

Lena Rustin: tributes Lena Rustin, one of the foremost researchers and clinicians in the field of stammering, passed away on Boxing Day, 2004.

Spiritually speaking about stammering... Karen Allen writes about the stammering and spirituality discussion group she has started, which held its first meeting in November 2004.

Stammering - my spiritual point of view Rachel Albert helps to open the discussion about stammering as part of a spiritual outlook, or way of living.

Why I work in marketing and communications For Shakeel Suleman, having a stammer is a real disadvantage, yet one that has opened up other ways to communicate.

Telephone self-help group conference call summaries:     Dave McGuire - founder of the McGuire Programme     Rachel Everard - from the Speech Therapy City Lit team

Winter 2004

BSA members help to choose their therapist An example of involving people who stammer in recruiting a speech and language therapist.

Coaching for people who stammer Everyone can benefit from working with a coach says John Hannon, especially people who stammer.

Don't mention the stammer! Knowing how your stammer affects you and how it might affect others is the first step to talking about it openly, explains Louise Wright.

I returned a different person Mike Corbett on our 2004 conference in Stirling

It's just the beginning George Campbell suggests how you can bring a BSA conference into your everyday life.

London's City Lit - new building, new approach City Lit's new intensive course Stammering therapy: an integrated approach.

Public authorities to have greater duties in future Report of a workshop at BSA's 2004 national conference in Stirling on new disability discrimination rules.

A stammer: a curse or perhaps... a blessing! You don't have to struggle with stammering alone, says Nara Miranda, who describes how she is learning to accept her stammering and be proud of who she is.

Stammering is what we do to avoid stuttering Steve Sheasby suggests that allowing oneself 'normal dysfluency' could help avoid blocking.

Taking risks is the safest option If there's something you really want to do, but think you can't 'because of stuttering' George Campbell shows how to make it happen.

What is confidence? Positive thinking by itself is of little use says L. Michael Hall. So what is real self-confidence?

Autumn 2004

Acting is a wonderful experience Alan Badmington recently attended an intensive summer drama school.

Coping with phone fear in a call centre Answering the telephone all day was a demanding new challenge for Maria Larkin. Despite leaving the job, she says she would do it all again.

Freedom to speak Some thoughts and feelings from BSA's 2004 conference in Stirling

A more than reasonable adjustment The Disability Discrimination Act can require employers to make reasonable adjustments. Here, John Mann describes how his employer went beyond the call of duty.

Reviewing the DDA Disability rules changed in October 2004. Allan Tyrer gives an updated overview of stammering under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA).

Texas journeyman "We are all on a journey..." Lee Reeves' keynote speech from our national conference in Stirling.

To say or not to say: from stammering to Shakespeare Rob Day stammered severely as a child, but replaced the memories with new experiences. Here, he throws out a challenge to other people who stammer.

Wet Wet Wet Guitarist, Graeme Duffin talks to Speaking Out The 'fifth member' in the newly reformed rock band Wet Wet Wet recently described his journey to BSA trustee Eddie Phillips.

Summer 2004

Ask yourself better questions Learning to ask yourself how you can be more effective when faced with challenges can change the direction of your life, says John Russell.

Telling your managing director about stammering Would you tell your managing director about your stammer? Mark Limbert was put on the spot and hoped it would not harm his career.

VRS: Voice recognition or voice rejection systems? Could this cutting edge technology cut out people with speech problems, asks Stuart Wilkinson.

Spring 2004

Coming clean about stammering Could stammering still be an issue after a career in corporate management? For John Hannan, it had to be managed properly.

From a DJ to national TV After he recovered from the initial request from the BBC, Steve Middleton says he has no regrets about being filmed for the BBC 'Lost for Words' documentary.

Hull self-help group explore speech-free phones The Hull and East Yorkshire stammerer's self help group have been given two new fixed line phones with text messaging, to help people who stammer communicate.

Not limited in the army Short comment from a soldier who has found the army supportive towards his stammer.

Research into the experiences of counselling for adults who stammer David Jones summarises the results of his study.

Stammering within the British Army Steve Brown on his experiences in the army, and how people who stammer can achieve their goals.

2004 World Congress for People who Stutter, Australia First reports from the World Congress in Perth, Western Australia.

25th anniversary party - a historic landmark for the BSA On Sunday 7 December 2003 more than 100 people joined in the celebrations to commemorate the BSA 25th anniversary...

Winter 2003

Bullying - some strategies used in schools In the last of a series of three articles, Cherry Hughes outlines some of the strategies used by schools to prevent and respond to bullying when it is discovered.

Employment tribunal win A 2003 case emphasises that employers may be required to adjust selection interviews so that people who stammer are not disadvantaged.

European youth make friends for life In July 2003, three young people from the UK went to the European League of Stuttering Associations (ELSA) youth meeting in the Netherlands. They describe a life-changing week.

How to create a state of fluency Mike Jones writes about the NLP approach to stammering, following a workshop he led in September.

Out on a wing At the 2003 Edinburgh Festival Jaik Campbell focused on stammering in a stand-up comedy show about...birds. He explains why stammering can be a laughing matter.

Take the glamour out of fluency Will discarding the emotional baggage of stammering and the new-found joys of fluency lead to effortless speech? Ajit Harisinghani describes how it can.

A university that understands stammering International Stammering Awareness Day stand at Middlesex University

3 Peaks Challenge Up Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in aid of BSA.

4th World Congress on Fluency Disorders, 2003 Reports from Carolyn Cheasman and Rachel Everard of the City Lit, and Dr Tom Weidig.

Autumn 2003

Approaching the media The second part of Alan Badmington's article on increasing public awareness of stammering.

Bullying in schools - what parents can do In the second of three articles, BSA education officer Cherry Hughes describes the warning signs of bullying and how to deal with the problem.

Magazine feature in therapy for London teens Group therapy can have unexpected benefits, as happened recently in London's inner south.

The Neuro-Semantics approach to gaining fluency A recent development of NLP therapy claims to unlock the fluent speech that lies in all of us. Nigel Wilson reports.

No discrimination please, we're European New regulations required by European rules amend the Disability Discrimination Act from October 2004.

Over-riding the fear Having moved on from bad experiences of speaking in class, Nitin is now considering a career in teaching.

Summer 2003

Bullying - what young people are telling us In the first of a new series, BSA Education officer Cherry Hughes describes the Government's approach and some steps that parents can take.

Dispatch from remedial maths class The times when we feel lost or on a detour in life can be the most productive of all, as Penelope Trunk describes.

Do interviewers have a right to discriminate? People who stammer should have realistic dreams when it comes to employment, says Jim Day.

Feel the power of a bag-pack A team of almost 25 BSA volunteers packed shopping bags for hundreds of grateful Leeds shoppers on Easter Saturday who in turn gave £1,100 to BSA's work.

Increasing public awareness Listening to an audience laugh at the content of my speech, rather than the manner of my delivery, is such an exhilarating experience says Alan Badmington.

My life began with fluency After many bad experiences with school, what convinced Sarah Cullen to talk to some teachers about stammering?

Putting stammering on the map - BSA 25th anniversary The lives of thousands of people have been changed for the better by the British Stammering Association since 1978.

Taking on the world Could life begin by joining BSA? One year on, Martin McGibbon says he has never looked back.

'Will they grow out of it?' - Spontaneous recovery and the therapists' dilemma How do speech and language therapists know which children will need therapy? Robert Sedgley reports on a research presentation by Roberta Lees.

The world at your computer "Join Stuttering Chat and a world that really understands stammering". Gina Waggot talks about this world-wide support forum.

You mean, stammering isn't normal? Mary Smiley on her childhood and current training to be a journalist.

Spring 2003

The boy under the blankets Terry McElhinney says that developing self-esteem was one of the biggest factors in his recovery from stammering.

BT's Open World In brief - a positive experience of company recruitment processes.

Christmas cracker concert in Kilmarnock BSA's joint fundraising concert with West Sound radio last December.

Confidently disfluent Life is easier without the fear of stammering, but losing the fear can be a long process. Barry Fox recalls how he left the fear behind.

How the 2002 BSA conference improved my life Will Quansah talks about his first BSA conference.

Making Waves Gareth Cottrell, 18, recently began a weekly show at a local radio station, two years after wondering how he could do it with a stammer.

Obituary - Monica Furlong Monica Furlong: 1930-2003 - An appreciation by St John Harris.

No sour grapes for Sir Cliff Gabriel Hershman interviews Cliff Richard.

Pound genereration Using the company intranet to fundraise for International Stammering Awareness Day 2002.

Speech and language therapy: what young people really think Cherry Hughes, our education officer, finds young people's experience of therapy to be positive.

Stuttering blocks British army career Lee Heard says his experiences in seeking to become a British Army officer have left him stronger and more motivated.

Where stammering can get you There are times when stammering has its lighter moments. Cherry Hughes recalls the credit she was given for a block that didn't happen.