If you would like more information on the Lidcombe Program for Early Childhood Stuttering, please visit www.allislandspeech.com Speech difficulties Fiona Baker bodyandsoul.com.au At least a quarter of child stutterers will need some form of treatment. And the earlier, the better. For Gary*, watching The King’s Speech was a painful process. As a former stutterer – who still occasionally relapses when anxious – the movie re-opened some old childhood wounds. “I can’t remember not stuttering,” says the 49-year-old who eventually in his 20s learnt to control his stammer. “But back then it was considered ‘my affliction’ and nothing much was done to treat it. “I grew up in the country and I just had to deal with it. The thing is, I couldn’t deal with it – I was teased, even by my siblings, and became quiet and withdrawn and felt isolated and unable to make friends.” Life-long impact It’s estimated that […]