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Research shows that between the ages of two and six approximately 25% of all children go through a period of stuttering.

Stuttering is a disruption in verbal fluency, causing repeated sounds or syllables, prolonged sounds, and involuntary facial or body movements. These disruptions are frequent, noticeable, and difficult to control.

I have treated and supervised therapy for over 1000 stuttering clients, the majority of whom are now using fluent speech successfully in everyday speaking situations.

Cluttering is marked by disorganized speech, frequent word and phrase repetitions, constant revisions, and a rapid speaking rate. The person may also collapse syllables in longer words (ie “ferchly” in stead of “fortunately”).

I can differentiate between cluttering and stuttering and help the person establish fluent speech.

It is important to establish correct sound pronunciation skills in children as soon as their oral-physical and listening skills are ready, usually between the ages of 3 and 6 years. I can determine readiness through a speech evaluation in which the parent(s) and child participate.

By age 3 years, 75 – 80% of a child’s speech should be intelligible to listeners. I developed the Word Accuracy Articulation Program, which works on establishing correct production of several sound errors simultaneously.

For children with more severe phonological problems, such as apraxia of speech, where a child’s speech is mostly unintelligible, and he or she has a difficult time imitating sounds and oral gestures, I use programs such as PROMPT and Kaufman Speech Praxis Treatment for children to help establish oral motor bases for speech development.

I evaluate and treat children and young adults who have difficulty retelling and/or writing events in an intelligible and logical manner. I assess their vocabulary comprehension and use. I teach them story grammar for speaking and writing, which improves their grades and confidence in both areas.

People who are in professions where they use their voice continually, such as in teaching or selling, occasionally experience vocal strain and hoarseness. When hoarseness becomes chronic or continual, people should consult their physicians for a medical evaluation. If vocal cord nodules or polyps are diagnosed, and if they are small enough, through voice therapy, I can often eliminate the nodules and polyps without the need for surgery. I can also teach strategies for keeping vocal cords healthy.

Children may also develop patterns of vocal strain from loud talking, yelling, screaming, and cheerleading. I teach children and parents strategies for reducing vocal cord abuse.

People who have had neck surgery or who suffer from chronic or acute illnesses, such as Parkinson’s Diseases or a virus, may experience weakness or paralysis of a vocal cord. There are effective exercises that can give such persons a stronger voice even after surgery or illness has affected vocal cord functioning.