Stuttering Program
Tom Gurrister, M.S.-CCC is a board certified stuttering and fluency disorders specialist by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. He has directed intensive treatment programs for children and adults, taught stuttering courses at the University of Utah and lectured extensively on the evaluation and treatment of stuttering. He works with all ages of stutterers from preschool to adult, providing individual and group treatment as well as intensive therapy programs.
In some cases, stuttering can be eliminated, especially if caught early enough, in others the struggle and difficulty communicating can be managed and improved. In all cases there is much that can be achieved improving not only communication skills but self confidence and a willingness to speak.
For the preschool stutterer, ages 2-5 years, the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention is utilized. This program requires specialty certification and studies have been shown it is successful in over 90% of the cases. Early intervention is the key to avoiding a possible life long disorder.
For the school age stutterer, a variety of stuttering management strategies and desensitizing techniques are taught. Individual and group therapy as well as the Wasatch Children's Stuttering Management Program offer a variety of therapy approaches. We also coordinate with the schools and other therapists working with your children.
For the adolescent and adult, in addition to the stuttering management tools and desensitization strategies, the SpeechEasy Fluency Device is an option for some individuals as an adjunct to traditional treatment. Again, individual as well as group treatment is promoted to address the emotional and psychological aspects of stuttering as well as the management strategies.
Our therapy approach addresses the stutterer's unique needs through an individualized program. The treatment focuses on functional real life tasks, activities and assignments to transfer and generalize the stuttering management skills to the workplace, school and home environment.
In some cases, stuttering can be eliminated, especially if caught early enough, in others the struggle and difficulty communicating can be managed and improved. In all cases there is much that can be achieved improving not only communication skills but self confidence and a willingness to speak.
For the preschool stutterer, ages 2-5 years, the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention is utilized. This program requires specialty certification and studies have been shown it is successful in over 90% of the cases. Early intervention is the key to avoiding a possible life long disorder.
For the school age stutterer, a variety of stuttering management strategies and desensitizing techniques are taught. Individual and group therapy as well as the Wasatch Children's Stuttering Management Program offer a variety of therapy approaches. We also coordinate with the schools and other therapists working with your children.
For the adolescent and adult, in addition to the stuttering management tools and desensitization strategies, the SpeechEasy Fluency Device is an option for some individuals as an adjunct to traditional treatment. Again, individual as well as group treatment is promoted to address the emotional and psychological aspects of stuttering as well as the management strategies.
Our therapy approach addresses the stutterer's unique needs through an individualized program. The treatment focuses on functional real life tasks, activities and assignments to transfer and generalize the stuttering management skills to the workplace, school and home environment.
The Wasatch Children's' Stuttering Management Program 2013
Individual and group therapy, functional group outings into the community, clinician training and a holistic approach to treatment.
Individual and group therapy, functional group outings into the community, clinician training and a holistic approach to treatment.
Other Stuttering Resources:
- Stuttering Foundation of America: www.StutteringHelp.org & (800) 992-9392
- National Stuttering Association: www.NSAstutter.org & (800) WeStutter (937-8888)
- Friends: www.FriendsWhoStutter.org & (866) 866-8335
