Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and Language Information and Links
It is estimated that approximately one in twenty people will stammer at some point in their lives.
Whilst the majority of young children who start to stammer will resolve naturally, some will continue to stammer into their adult life.
There are lots of things we can do to help and to ensure that those who continue to stammer go on to lead happy, successful and fulfilled lives.
A number of websites are available offering advice, information and support:
I CAN
I CAN is the children’s communication charity. The website provides parents/carers and practitioners with the information they need to help children develop the speech, language and communication skills they need to thrive in a 21st century world. It also provides information on their free Enquiry Service which is staffed by I CAN speech and language therapists: www.ican.org.uk.
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Action for Stammering Children (ASC)
Action for Stammering Children is the UK charity for children and young people who stammer, their families, and the communities who support them. They provide advice and information, champion research, and campaign for policy and societal change. A Support Hub Advisor is available between 9am - 11am every weekday to answer any questions. www.actionforstammeringchildren.org
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Stamma
A national charity and membership organisation representing people who stammer. The website provides information and resources about stammering for individuals who stammer, their families as well as speech and language therapists and other professionals. They also provide helpline, webchat and email support with stammering which is free, confidential and anonymous. www.stamma.org
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World Stuttering and Cluttering Organization
The WSCO is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing science, education, practice, and advocacy in stuttering and cluttering. Their commitment lies in fostering interdisciplinary research on the nature, treatment, and impacts of stuttering and cluttering on individuals and families. When you become a member of the WSCO, you have access to a wide range of experts listed in their Directory, can attend webinars, workshops and conferences organised by the WSCO, as well as access to Journal of Fluency Disorders. www.thewsco.org
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Certified European Stuttering Specialists
The aim of CESS is to promote the highest standards of care, education, and research in the area of stuttering and cluttering among speech and language therapists in order to improve the quality of life for individuals who stutter and clutter. The website provides a list of Certified European Stuttering Specialists - speech and language therapists who distinguish themselves by their in-depth knowledge and skills in working with people who stutter and clutter - and informs speech and language therapists how to become a Certified European Stuttering Specialist: www.certifiedeuropeanstutteringspecialists.eu
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Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
The professional body for people working in or studying speech and language therapy in the UK. This website includes factsheets detailing case studies and peoples’ stories showing how speech and language therapy changes lives. These have been translated into Welsh: www.rcslt.org
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The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)
This website provides information and a contact point for members of the public looking for an independent speech and language therapist. By entering your postcode, you can search for a nearby therapist who suits your individual needs: www.helpwithtalking.com
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The Communication Trust
A coalition of over 50 not-for-profit organisations who work together to support those who work with children and young people in England to support their speech, language and communication development. Resources are included for parents/carers and practitioners: www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk
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AFASIC
A charity that represents children and young people who have speech, language and communication needs and their families. This website provides information and training for parents and professionals, as well as a list of publications to help children and young people with speech and language impairments: www.afasic.co.uk
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The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering
An internationally recognised centre of excellence based in London. This website provides information on the assessment and therapy services offered by the Centre, their training programme for speech and language therapists as well as their research work. There is a useful film on the website “Wait, Wait I’m not finished yet” which features children of various ages sharing their experiences of stammering and explaining how teaching staff can help. The Centre also offers a helpline for families, young people, teachers, referrers and other professionals and staffed by a team of specialist speech and language therapists: www.michaelpalincentreforstammering.org
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British Stammering Association, trading as Stamma since 2019
A national charity for people affected by stammering. The website provides information and resources about stammering for individuals who stammer, their families as well as speech and language therapists and other professionals, including a range of books and DVDs which can be borrowed. There is a useful section on the impact of stammering in the workplace. They also have a helpline which is staffed by volunteers, people who stammer and people who have worked in the field: www.stamma.org
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Stuttering Foundation
A nonprofit organisation helping those who stutter/stammer. Stuttering Foundation provides free online resources, services and support to individuals who stammer, their families and to speech and language therapists. Their website includes comprehensive, up-to-date information on stammering through its publications, workshops, virtual learning webinars and podcasts: www.stutteringhelp.org​
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