DVD Offers Hope to Adults and Teens Who Stutter

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - For the three million Americans who stutter, not being able to say their own name is just one of the many challenges which confront them as they start their work day.

Now some new help is available for adults and teenagers who stutter in the form of a videotape. If You Stutter: Advice for Adults is available at libraries across the country.

"We focus on demonstrating a variety of therapy strategies that are appropriate in working with adults and teens," explains Dr. Peter Ramig of the University of Colorado at Boulder. "We also answer questions about stuttering and present examples of therapy sessions showing how stuttering can be reduced."

"Stuttering remains a mystery to most people," said Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation. "Research strongly supports the fact that stuttering is not caused by psychological problems nor are people who stutter any less intelligent than those who don't."

"The new film is meant to give those who stutter some insight into the tools they need to begin dealing with stuttering, but it also offers good ideas for family members, speech-language pathologists, and health care professionals," said Professor Barry Guitar of the University of Vermont. Guitar is one of six nationally recognized experts appearing in the video produced by the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation.

"We have seen people who stutter not only learn to deal with stuttering effectively," said Dr. Hugo Gregory of Northwestern University," but go on to become better than average communicators." He notes that this century's most eloquent speaker, Winston Churchill, stuttered and yet became a renowned statesman renowned for his oratory skills.

The DVD features men and women who stutter from the United States and Canada, discussing their experiences with stuttering and the techniques that have helped them. They talk openly about the problems they face in the work place and how stuttering affects their lives and their self esteem.

For your own copy of the 55-minute DVD, If You Stutter: Advice for Adults, contact the Stuttering Foundation at 800-992-9392 or visit www.stutteringhelp.org to learn about the many ways you can help yourself.

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