Categories for Lidcombe Stuttering

My 3-Year-Old Stutters: What Do I Do?

As parents, our number one concern is our children’s happiness and helping them develop in a way where they are able to reach their full potential. One thing that can hinder this development is finding out that your 3-year- old child stutters. Stuttering can be frustrating and embarrassing for kids of this age and can stop them from doing many things they would otherwise be highly capable of doing. When you notice that your toddler is beginning to stutter, it can be a scary and overwhelming situation. How can you help? Who can you turn to for help? Which types of therapy are the best and most effective? These and a million other questions run through your head when your toddler stutters, but the good news is, there are solutions out there to help your 3-year-old child overcome this issue and lead a full life, free from the limitations and […]


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Posted on July 17, 2019 1:42 am by Leave your thoughts

Why Private pay as opposed to school speech therapy?

I want to start by saying that I have worked in public schools before. I totally respect my school speech pathologists.  They work hard for our children and have huge caseloads. Many kids who stutter or receive Prompt therapy are in groups of 5.   It is vital for kids who stutter to have parents either in the session or available at the end to facilitate progress. The Lidcombe program which is used up to about age 7 or 8 requires parents to actively work with their children at home.  This is not a school program.  It is a disservice to your child to do this program without parents present. Prompt is hands on so it is not sanitary to have the therapist’s hands on 2 or 3 children. They need a high level of expertise and individual therapy. Not all school speech pathologists specialize. Schools cannot solve every speech or […]


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Posted on August 15, 2018 7:10 pm by Leave your thoughts

What type of support did I find most useful from my parents as a child who stuttered?

This was asked by a few parents of children who stutter.  As parents we always worry we are not doing enough for our children.  The good news is that most of do our best and our kids know that. Did my parents support me? Yes. Without a shadow of a doubt. My father stuttered as well. He also overcame and became a pharmacist.  He was and is my role model.  I was fortunate to work with him at the age of 13 which encouraged me to talk often as a cashier.  At one point he encouraged me to seek a job on my own.  I went on an interview and got a job at a local department store.   After three months I decided I preferred my dad and uncle’s store to work in.  Luckily they took me back.  Let’s face it, they had no choice-LOL.  My mother was extremely proactive […]


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Posted on August 15, 2018 12:52 am by Leave your thoughts

Stuttering: Get me out of jail..

To my adults who stutter.. Like you many of you I struggled for many years stuttering. I was afraid to order a medium diet pepsi, say fill it up at the gas station or ask a simple question, like what time is it? It was kind of like being in speech jail. One day I was asked my birthday by a teacher in class. I could still hear the laughter as I said “I don’t know”. All I had to say was April 22 but the fear came on like a  huge wave was going to knock me down. I wanted to get out of the house of bondage but did have the “get out of jail” card.It is hard to believe because now my family and friends would say I am outspoken. What changed?Finding the right speech pathologist to help me. Believing in myself. Realizing that it was not all […]


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Posted on August 10, 2018 4:23 pm by Leave your thoughts

Talking about Stuttering is not fun..What do we do?

I recently received an email from a speech pathologist who was concerned about a teenager who stutters on her caseload. I was thrilled she asked how to help. She observed this 11 year old was not talking too much or not interested in exploring the topic of stuttering. So what do we do? Children get a ton of questions from their parents and even at my age my mom likes to know what is going on. I work part time in a high school and the last thing they want me doing is asking questions about their lives. They love talking about their strengths, sports or cars. It is up to me to find ways of encouraging them without making stuttering the highlight of their lives. The truth is people who stutter want to talk. Most people do not like talking about things that bother them, ex: weight, poor hearing […]


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Posted on July 9, 2018 9:09 pm by Leave your thoughts

New intensive programs for stuttering? Let’s make Fluency Happen….

Customized Programs to Improve Fluency – Together We Will Improve!     My goal as a speech pathologist who overcame a severe stuttering disorder as an adult is to create customized programs to improve your fluency and to see the changes you desire. We work together to determine how to reach your goals.   EXCITING NEW PROGRAMS: Customized Programs to Improve Fluency-Together We Will Improve! (please put in bold. All offered by an experienced speech pathologist and stuttering specialist who overcame a severe stuttering disorder to help others. We will work together to reach your goals.   Weekly Sessions : This program is customized to your needs and involves sessions that are 2 hours each. This is ideal for someone who needs to significantly improve fluency in a short period of time.   Step up: 8 week Program: This program involves 8 weekly 1-hour sessions or 4 bi-weekly 1-hour sessions. This […]


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Posted on June 14, 2018 9:24 pm by Leave your thoughts

How can you help your teen who stutters?

Keep them talking whether they stutter or not. I cannot stress that enough. Keep encouraging them until they get to that point where they come to their “aha” moment. This happens at various ages, sometimes at age 7 and other times when they are going to college.  Intensive and individual options are available to learn how to breathe properly, ease into words and combine words together.


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Posted on August 9, 2017 2:03 am by Leave your thoughts

Do you have a child who stutters?

I get many calls each week about their child who started stuttering out of nowhere.   Many ask should I see a neurologist? The answer is no.  These are questions to ask  yourself.. Is there a history in the family? Are they struggling? Are they aware? Are they blocking? Always trust your gut. Pediatricians often say to wait. Although that might be the easy thing to do it is not always the right suggestion.  Doctors  are  often our first resource but stuttering is usually not something they learn about in school.  Sometimes a simple consult is helpful with a speech pathologist in stuttering helps relieve concern.  Remember to not interrupt and allow sufficient time to speak.  


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Posted on August 3, 2017 7:40 pm by Leave your thoughts

How I became a Speech Pathologist…

Never say never. I was not the best student in high school. I was unsure what I wanted and stuttered severely. Please read. I am not doing teen life coaching and of course stuttering and speech therapy.  Please email me at Lori@allislandspeech.com in strict confidence. https://allislandspeech.com/HowIbecameaSpeechLanguagePathologist.php


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Posted on June 25, 2017 2:39 pm by Leave your thoughts