Just got back from 2 weeks in Norfolk,Va

[Yeagy]

Well, the change has begun. Spent the last 2 weeks in Norfolk,Va at the PFSP clinic. I am 100% satisfied with the outcome. I went in with VERY low expectations and came out over 99% fluent. Now starts the really hard part, working on my stuttering alone without the help of others. After stuttering for ~25yrs (my whole life) I can now carry on a conversation with others and even use the dreaded phone. I called my parents after day 3 and they were almost in tears, saying they couldn’t believe they were talking to me on the phone (not only talking on the phone but doing it with consistent fluency). After day 11, I was calling everybody I know to talk with them and every single one was shocked. I don’t know what else to say right now cause I’m so tired from the 12hr drive. I'm sure ill post up more when I get some rest...
-Brian

[confused]

Hey,
Congrats! I guess almost every stutterer hates using THE phone ;] haha
Sorry is this Q is stupid but what did u do in VA? was it some kind of stuttering convention?

I wish I could go to a think like that... :)

Congrats again!!!

ib

[Yeagy]

I did the www.fluentspeech.com clinic. It is taught by Ross Barrett, the first stutter to go through the Hollins program and teach for them. (i think he might of been the "man in charge" for a period of time) Anyways, we learned how to breathe correctly, stretch out syllables and genital onset so that we don’t block certain sounds ect...its a really good program for people who do stutter. We had a 10yr old kid who couldn’t get out his name, much less read a paragraph out of a text book. After 2 weeks I would think the kid never stuttered, and its all capped off by meeting with people who did the program in the past. Met with a guy who did the program 22yrs ago and he still has fluency. He is not 100% fluent but he is at least 95% fluent. I counted 5 times he stuttered during a 2hr meeting with him. Also met with many people who did the program yrs ago (8-15yrs ago) who speak like they never stuttered. I watched the DVD they send out and thought "well, if the guy has been doing it for 35yrs he has to be doing something right"...During my pre-tape I read a 252 word passage (1 paragraph), it took me 2:56 to read it with 30+ errors (blocks/stutters/re-reading the same word to get to the next word ect)...After 12 days I read a different 252 word passage (3 paragraphs) in 1:49 and had 3 errors. All errors were because I was reading to fast and mis-spoke the word or didn’t read the word at all cause I read over it. Most of the time it is a 3 week course. Our 3rd week is done on our own at home. I am starting it tomorrow. After talking with past patients I found that they all had the same message. Practice, practice, practice, if you don’t you fall back into your old habits. Also got a lot of insight on the "miracle drugs" out there for stutters.

[surrealist]

So what's the Cost?

[confused]

wow that sounds pretty cool. So how much did it cost? how did you get in?

I'm pretty excited about this, even though I won't go..;[[

[surrealist]

wow that sounds pretty cool. So how much did it cost? how did you get in?

I'm pretty excited about this, even though I won't go..;[[
It should be free. This affliction has been destroying my like since I was born. but all we get is these expensive treatment options that 98% of us can't afford. It a slap in the face.

[Box of Clocks]

The course seems to have helped you and given you more confidence so that is obviously a good thing but as others have mentioned it would be nice to know how much the whole business of attending and travelling to the course cost. Isn't it too much of a hassle having to worry about breathing techniques though? I am sure we all have enough problems and concerns in our lives as it is without having to concentrate on our breathing while trying to communicate.

[Adrian]

I did the www.fluentspeech.com clinic. It is taught by Ross Barrett, the first stutter to go through the Hollins program and teach for them. (i think he might of been the "man in charge" for a period of time) Anyways, we learned how to breathe correctly, stretch out syllables and genital onset so that we don’t block certain sounds ect...its a really good program for people who do stutter. We had a 10yr old kid who couldn’t get out his name, much less read a paragraph out of a text book. After 2 weeks I would think the kid never stuttered, and its all capped off by meeting with people who did the program in the past. Met with a guy who did the program 22yrs ago and he still has fluency. He is not 100% fluent but he is at least 95% fluent. I counted 5 times he stuttered during a 2hr meeting with him. Also met with many people who did the program yrs ago (8-15yrs ago) who speak like they never stuttered. I watched the DVD they send out and thought "well, if the guy has been doing it for 35yrs he has to be doing something right"...During my pre-tape I read a 252 word passage (1 paragraph), it took me 2:56 to read it with 30+ errors (blocks/stutters/re-reading the same word to get to the next word ect)...After 12 days I read a different 252 word passage (3 paragraphs) in 1:49 and had 3 errors. All errors were because I was reading to fast and mis-spoke the word or didn’t read the word at all cause I read over it. Most of the time it is a 3 week course. Our 3rd week is done on our own at home. I am starting it tomorrow. After talking with past patients I found that they all had the same message. Practice, practice, practice, if you don’t you fall back into your old habits. Also got a lot of insight on the "miracle drugs" out there for stutters.

Brian, congrats on your success with the program. Please keep us updated on your progress. I am not trying to belittle your progress or discourage you, but the real test will be how your speech is in six months or a year.

I wish you the best of luck.

[surrealist]

Perhaps some people need that slap in the face to wake themselves out of their self pity.

These courses are the price they are as the people taking the courses need to make a living, and can you imagine how draining it is on them, giving out so much positive energy to so many individuals over such a long time?

I'm not saying that's affordable to all, and I venture the opinion that government subsidies would be welcomed by the very people who run the courses.

Until then, save your pennies.....
These people are only making money off us, A simple taught program should not be so expensive. They know we're so desperate we would spend 10k for a few weeks program.

Don't be naive.

[Yeagy]

The cost of the program alone is $3,195. I was lucky enough to get 1 of 2 scholarships for $1,500. So that brought it down to $1,695. On my last day there I found out that the scholarship was from a guy in town not from the clinic itself. I stayed at Savannah Suites for 2 weeks and the total bill was ~$605.00 - Then food/gas/entertainment another $600-$800. Its not a cheap course to go through but you have to see the investment in yourself. How many times have you seen an opening for job that pays way more than you make, but you don’t apply for it cause you stutter? How many times do you think your boss has thought about moving you up in the company but then realizes that you would have to do conference calls and skips over you? There is a cost for everything in life, $5,000 for the fluency of a non-stutter is nothing in my book.

surrealist: why do you think this should be free? Today I went into McDonalds and ordered food, then told them I think it should be free because I’m hungry. They all laughed at me. This guy has spent the last 35 years of his life helping stutters. He put him self through school for years, grad school for years, then years learning the program. He has expenses every month, over head, continuing education. He still keeps in touch with almost all of his patients. I can call him right now and tell him I’m getting a block on "ST" words, he would drop everything and help me correct it on the phone. This guy puts a lot of time in this program, so for him to charge so little was crazy to me. He should be charging a lot more.

For the next 6 months we are suppose to practice everyday. We have a course of action for the next 2 months, after that its up to us to plan out our practice sessions. One of the guys who went through the program 10 years ago said he practices everyday still. And he still isn’t 100% fluent. He also said that he got a call from a group member a year after they went through the course. The guy didn’t practice at all, and couldn’t even say his name. So without daily awareness that I’m still a stutter I could easily fall right out of this fluency...

[confused]

Wow there is nooo way I could afford that. I know it must be hard for that guy to help all those people, but somebody should make a free course on the internet. Maybe some advice, practice techniques...it sucks that you have to pay for eeeverything, some people really could not spend 5 grand on their speech... that really makes me sad...

[zinnia11]

My son, Lou, who is just about to turn 16 just went through the PFSP with Dr. Ross Barrett in Norfolk, Va.. Lou has been a stutterer on and off for his whole life. He was a very early talker ( sentences at 6 months). But he started stuttering for a brief period of 2 weeks at 3 1/2 years old. The stuttering at that age went away as quickly as it started.

When Lou was in second grade, he had a very severe teacher who liked to yell all the time. I did not know about the severity of her personality until the end of the year. I had a new baby to take care of and Lou never said anything negative about almost anything. That should have been a red flag but it wasn't, given the circumstances. Whether it was the teacher at fault or not, Lou began to stutter. We had him start speech therapy at that time and it went on for another 6-7 years. The school speech therapist was nice and Lou got along with him well. We continued this for several years. Lou never told us that he was stressed about his peers teasing him.

Well, last summer, Lou started expressing his sadness about his speech issues. We were Starting to look online for any info and calling all kinds of places for info on different programs. After much, much research and talking to many about their experiences, we settled on the program that was mentioned first in this discussion. I took him to Virginia and he did the 2 week program. We were skeptical that it would really make much of a difference, but on about the 6th day, when all of the participants were instructed to make random phone calls to businesses and use the techniques that they had been taught, Lou had a big breakthrough moment. He looked so much happier and he spoke with near perfect fluency. It was like a 10 ton weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. Other participants in the group also had breakthrough moments like this.

Now we have been home for about 3 weeks and he still has near perfect fluency. He knows that he will always have to work on staying fluent for the rest of his life, but he now has the tools and resources to do it.

I urge you to try this program out. We got financial help from my parents, but there was one young man who got help from his church. There are very cheap places to stay right next to the therapy place ($20-$25 per night) at the Ronald McDonald house and the Caring Center. There is also some scholarship money available.

Please email me if you have any questions about the program.

[happy7117]

It should be free. This affliction has been destroying my like since I was born. but all we get is these expensive treatment options that 98% of us can't afford. It a slap in the face.

Completely agree, as a matter of fact I posted that idental response to a previous thread.

It is hatefull and hurtfull that we can't afford the treatment we so deperately need.

Stuttering is the silent killer--it eats away quietly at us daily even when we are not talking or stuttering.

Stuttering treatments should not be a rediculace price to afford.

People that charge outrageous prices should be hung:mad:

[happy7117]

My son, Lou, who is just about to turn 16 just went through the PFSP with Dr. Ross Barrett in Norfolk, Va.. Lou has been a stutterer on and off for his whole life. He was a very early talker ( sentences at 6 months). But he started stuttering for a brief period of 2 weeks at 3 1/2 years old. The stuttering at that age went away as quickly as it started.

When Lou was in second grade, he had a very severe teacher who liked to yell all the time. I did not know about the severity of her personality until the end of the year. I had a new baby to take care of and Lou never said anything negative about almost anything. That should have been a red flag but it wasn't, given the circumstances. Whether it was the teacher at fault or not, Lou began to stutter. We had him start speech therapy at that time and it went on for another 6-7 years. The school speech therapist was nice and Lou got along with him well. We continued this for several years. Lou never told us that he was stressed about his peers teasing him.

Well, last summer, Lou started expressing his sadness about his speech issues. We were Starting to look online for any info and calling all kinds of places for info on different programs. After much, much research and talking to many about their experiences, we settled on the program that was mentioned first in this discussion. I took him to Virginia and he did the 2 week program. We were skeptical that it would really make much of a difference, but on about the 6th day, when all of the participants were instructed to make random phone calls to businesses and use the techniques that they had been taught, Lou had a big breakthrough moment. He looked so much happier and he spoke with near perfect fluency. It was like a 10 ton weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. Other participants in the group also had breakthrough moments like this.

Now we have been home for about 3 weeks and he still has near perfect fluency. He knows that he will always have to work on staying fluent for the rest of his life, but he now has the tools and resources to do it.

I urge you to try this program out. We got financial help from my parents, but there was one young man who got help from his church. There are very cheap places to stay right next to the therapy place ($20-$25 per night) at the Ronald McDonald house and the Caring Center. There is also some scholarship money available.

Please email me if you have any questions about the program.

I hate it when posters offer a program to help us, and they never think about the fact that many don't have the money to afford these programs.

All they say is "try it, it might help" as if we can just get up and go.

Just because one can afford the program, does not mean others can.

As desperate as I am trying to help myself, I just don't have the money to.

These programs cost thousands. As much as we want to try this program, many don't have the money for it.

I hate it when people rub in the great effects these programs have while we readers wish we could be like those succesors. It makes us wish we were as fortunate.

We are overjoyed for successors from therapy programs, but mad at the fact we can't be like that person because of the fact we don't have the amount of money to pay that stuff.

[happy7117]

These people are only making money off us, A simple taught program should not be so expensive. They know we're so desperate we would spend 10k for a few weeks program.

Don't be naive.

:) Right On!

[zinnia11]

I don't need you to be happy for my son's success. I want to encourage anyone who stutters to at least talk to Dr. Barrett with an open mind. I think it's unfair that therapy costs so much but I hardly think that it is Dr. Barrett's and his program's fault. I bet he would agree with you that it is unfair that therapy is so expensive. He has a right to make a living on what he does and I am sure that only a very small percentage of the fee goes to him and his one person staff. He has overhead that he has to give to the hospital where the program is. Do you think he should give it away or pay for the therapy for you himself?

Our family lives a very modest lifestyle. We had to go into debt for this therapy and that was after receiving help from extended family members as was the case with others in the therapy group. I recently finished chemotherapy and radiation for cancer and I have been out of work since I got diagnosed in '06. Luckily we have good insurance that paid for most of my medical bills but I can guarantee that if we didn't have insurance, we would be in massive debt. We wouldn't let money get in the way of getting treatment to save my life. It isn't fair that speech therapy isn't always covered by insurance, but that should not stop someone from getting therapy that could change and improve your life.

By the way, the therapy that my son just went through cost $3495.00 which I don't think is outrageous. I do agree with you, however, that people who take advantage of stutterers should be hung and end up in a special part of hell.

Do you have credit cards? Can you at least have an open mind to call the doctor and get more information and maybe do some research?




I hate it when posters offer a program to help us, and they never think about the fact that many don't have the money to afford these programs.

All they say is "try it, it might help" as if we can just get up and go.

Just because one can afford the program, does not mean others can.

As desperate as I am trying to help myself, I just don't have the money to.

These programs cost thousands. As much as we want to try this program, many don't have the money for it.

I hate it when people rub in the great effects these programs have while we readers wish we could be like those succesors. It makes us wish we were as fortunate.

We are overjoyed for successors from therapy programs, but mad at the fact we can't be like that person because of the fact we don't have the amount of money to pay that stuff.

[Moh1991]

well done
just work very hard on ur speech and it really pays off
I am also planning on getting speech therapy because I am want to get rid of stuttering (most of us as well )
hopeflly we will all improve our speech and become fluent because many stutter's have

[Zachary]

Congratulations!! I'm assuming you attended Hollins, correct?

They have a very effective program. When I attended it ran me (my mamaw actually) close to $5k, if not a little over. This was 10 years ago. I still use the techniques till this day. The techniques work best in environments you are comfortable in. I have experienced less success with the techniques in environments which throw me off my center though, it tends to be hit or miss in those cases.

While I do agree this service should not cost quite that much, you can always apply for financial assistance through DRS. Its worth a try.

PM me if you wish to know the meat of what they teach. I sincerely believe in freedom of information, especially to those who need it.

[Adrian]

They have a very effective program. When I attended it ran me (my mamaw actually) close to $5k, if not a little over. This was 10 years ago. I still use the techniques till this day. The techniques work best in environments you are comfortable in. I have experienced less success with the techniques in environments which throw me off my center though, it tends to be hit or miss in those cases.

I think the poster above did an offshoot program of Hollins. I also attended Hollins (about 11 years ago). My experience was similar to yours. The techniques do work to an extent, but tend to fall apart when we need them most. I honestly feel like I was ripped off. They all but promise fluency with their high success rates, but don't make it clear they are taken from a short exit interview inside the clinic. Several thousand dollars for fluency that does not hold up under pressure was not worth it to me.

[peebee]

I'm sorry but the people complaining about the money, unless you're a single parent who's every stinkin' penny goes towards paying for LIVING expenses money should NOT be an issue. I know a guy who worked construction right out of HS and paid for a $90,000 car straight cash because owning a BMW 'is a dream of his' 4 years later. Make a budget and stick with it. The payment on a $5,000 loan is around a measly $25 a month which is half your cable bill or cellphone bill. Lol... worst case scenario is you could run up a huge bill on credit and declare chapt. 11... with the economy how it is right now, it's the perfect time to do it :D If you can't afford $5,000 I'm sure ruining your credit rating won't really matter...

I honestly don't think a course like this would personally help me much but I couldn't put a price on what I'd pay to 'cure' my stuttering and anxiety. If you really think a program like this would help you, go for it--but I would recommend doing thorough research before any endeavors

[Zachary]

I'm sorry but the people complaining about the money, unless you're a single parent who's every stinkin' penny goes towards paying for LIVING expenses money should NOT be an issue. Make a budget and stick with it. The payment on a $5,000 loan is around a measly $25 a month which is half your cable bill or cellphone bill.

This begs the question ... what are the terms of the loan? $25/month, at what APR? $5k is A LOT of money, especially if you take it out as a loan. At the very least, you're looking at around a 17% APR considering the age most every stutterer decides to improve his/her condition (late teens, 20s). Then there are late fees. Isn't this type of predatory lending the reason for the current economic crisis?

I know a guy who worked construction right out of HS and paid for a $90,000 car straight cash because owning a BMW 'is a dream of his 4 years later.

Determination? Or stupidity? Did he live with his parents? This is very hard to believe, unless he lucked out and was employed with a very generous company, or made the best use of his knee pads while employed there. Give me $90k flat out and I will turn myself into a millionaire within 5 years. Living expenses though ... they are an issue, single, parent, and/or married ...

$90k/4 years = 22.5k/yr ... That is a year's wages for me, before taxes.

I honestly don't think a course like this would personally help me much but I couldn't put a price on what I'd pay to 'cure' my stuttering and anxiety. If you really think a program like this would help you, go for it--but I would recommend doing thorough research before any endeavors

The program helps, no doubt. It is in no way a cure though. They let you know this at the very beginning of the program. Do not expect the techniques to get you through the stickier situations. Fluency will never be first nature to you, or second. You are what you are ... learn to play the hand you've been dealt. No one will knock you for it. I promise.

[Zachary]

The payment on a $5,000 loan is around a measly $25 a month which is half your cable bill or cellphone bill. Lol

O RLY!? Very interesting that you mention phones ... ;)

[zinnia11]

The program I brought my son to is an offshoot of Hollins. It teaches you the same strategies as what you learn there. The doctor who leads the therapy program that my son went through started at Hollins.
My son and I met so many interesting people there, who were in different points in their lives. There was a young teen, a new mother, young adult, and older adults. I think that there were only two people I had met there that didn't have to beg, borrow, or steal to get the money to pay for the therapy. And, the cost of therapy I guess has not changed in quite a while because we ended up spending close to $5000 too.





Congratulations!! I'm assuming you attended Hollins, correct?

They have a very effective program. When I attended it ran me (my mamaw actually) close to $5k, if not a little over. This was 10 years ago. I still use the techniques till this day. The techniques work best in environments you are comfortable in. I have experienced less success with the techniques in environments which throw me off my center though, it tends to be hit or miss in those cases.

While I do agree this service should not cost quite that much, you can always apply for financial assistance through DRS. Its worth a try.

PM me if you wish to know the meat of what they teach. I sincerely believe in freedom of information, especially to those who need it.

[sst]

Yeagy, it's great that you had success with the program you went to. It's a pretty good feeling to finally be in control of something that you think will never be controlled. Someday I will have that feeling again, I forgot what it's like. :)

I think there should be a government-funded fluency program for people, or at least easier methods of getting cheap loans. Money is a big issue for most people, but I think there will always be a way to make something work if you want it bad enough. Someone mentioned knee-pads? Hehe.

[Adrian]

Yeagy, it's great that you had success with the program you went to. It's a pretty good feeling to finally be in control of something that you think will never be controlled. Someday I will have that feeling again, I forgot what it's like. :)

Yeagy/Brian, has not posted since he left the program over a year ago. I would be interested to hear how he is doing. Relapse is common after these types of programs. I sincerely hope he is doing well though.

[Adrian]

I think there should be a government-funded fluency program for people,

A government funded therapy program is a scary thought. Considering the private sector can't seem to get it right, it's scary to think what the government would come up with.

Interestingly the US Army has a free intensive stuttering program for military personnel. I looked into it when I was in the Army Reserves, but heard it was not very good. I should have tried it out anyway.

[sst]

Yeagy/Brian, has not posted since he left the program over a year ago. I would be interested to hear how he is doing. Relapse is common after these types of programs. I sincerely hope he is doing well though.

I just realized his post was from 2007 hehe. How embarrassing. :o I hope it sticking with it, I would had to waste that much money just to relapse.

A government funded therapy program is a scary thought. Considering the private sector can't seem to get it right, it's scary to think what the government would come up with.

Interestingly the US Army has a free intensive stuttering program for military personnel. I looked into it when I was in the Army Reserves, but heard it was not very good. I should have tried it out anyway.

Well, maybe not government funded therapy, but perhaps more easily available loans for people who have disabilities.

[peebee]

This begs the question ... what are the terms of the loan? $25/month, at what APR? $5k is A LOT of money, especially if you take it out as a loan. At the very least, you're looking at around a 17% APR considering the age most every stutterer decides to improve his/her condition (late teens, 20s). Then there are late fees. Isn't this type of predatory lending the reason for the current economic crisis?



Determination? Or stupidity? Did he live with his parents? This is very hard to believe, unless he lucked out and was employed with a very generous company, or made the best use of his knee pads while employed there. Give me $90k flat out and I will turn myself into a millionaire within 5 years. Living expenses though ... they are an issue, single, parent, and/or married ...

$90k/4 years = 22.5k/yr ... That is a year's wages for me, before taxes.



The program helps, no doubt. It is in no way a cure though. They let you know this at the very beginning of the program. Do not expect the techniques to get you through the stickier situations. Fluency will never be first nature to you, or second. You are what you are ... learn to play the hand you've been dealt. No one will knock you for it. I promise.

I was assuming a 6% APR which is being very generous for the bank and realistically you could get a much better rate or a longer payment period with a secured line of credit. Albeit I'm speaking from a Canadian perspective and we aren't effected as much by the current credit squeeze

And yes, the guy I was referring to did live with his parents but he also lived pretty comfortable, i.e iphone, plasma tv etc... The labour market in Canada is much different when compared to the US and its not uncommon for unionized construction workers with 10+ yrs of experience to be pulling down near six figures (even more if they have a specialty). My buddy who I was referring to obviously doesn't make that much but I wouldn't be surprised if it was around 45-60k a year.

I think you made an excellent point at the end but a lot of the alternative 'treatments' for stuttering also have a high cost and a lot of them have credence qualities. You should accept the hand you are dealt like you said, but self improvement is a good thing too :D

[Moh1991]

Hey Yeagy
how is ur progress going so far ?
are u still 99.9% fluent or is the stutter slowly returning ??

[agantx]

Well, the change has begun. Spent the last 2 weeks in Norfolk,Va at the PFSP clinic. I am 100% satisfied with the outcome. I went in with VERY low expectations and came out over 99% fluent. Now starts the really hard part, working on my stuttering alone without the help of others. After stuttering for ~25yrs (my whole life) I can now carry on a conversation with others and even use the dreaded phone. I called my parents after day 3 and they were almost in tears, saying they couldn’t believe they were talking to me on the phone (not only talking on the phone but doing it with consistent fluency). After day 11, I was calling everybody I know to talk with them and every single one was shocked. I don’t know what else to say right now cause I’m so tired from the 12hr drive. I'm sure ill post up more when I get some rest...
-Brian

Hi Brian!

Congratulations! You did an excellent job during those 2 hard weeks! Your story gives a lot of hope for those of us who still didn’t get our stuttering under control. You show all of us that it can be done with a lot of motivation, determination and hard work no matter how severe our stuttering is. In other words your story once again proves to all of us that speech therapy can work. :D

I hope that you’ve been keeping up with using your rules and didn’t have a relapse of your stuttering. If your stuttering returned and you have enough free time, I suggest for you to practice what you did during those 2 weeks that helped you for at least one hour every day at home. I’m confident with this strategy you once again will be 99% fluent! ;)

Mark

[agantx]

My son, Lou, who is just about to turn 16 just went through the PFSP with Dr. Ross Barrett in Norfolk, Va.. Lou has been a stutterer on and off for his whole life. He was a very early talker ( sentences at 6 months). But he started stuttering for a brief period of 2 weeks at 3 1/2 years old. The stuttering at that age went away as quickly as it started.

When Lou was in second grade, he had a very severe teacher who liked to yell all the time. I did not know about the severity of her personality until the end of the year. I had a new baby to take care of and Lou never said anything negative about almost anything. That should have been a red flag but it wasn't, given the circumstances. Whether it was the teacher at fault or not, Lou began to stutter. We had him start speech therapy at that time and it went on for another 6-7 years. The school speech therapist was nice and Lou got along with him well. We continued this for several years. Lou never told us that he was stressed about his peers teasing him.

Well, last summer, Lou started expressing his sadness about his speech issues. We were Starting to look online for any info and calling all kinds of places for info on different programs. After much, much research and talking to many about their experiences, we settled on the program that was mentioned first in this discussion. I took him to Virginia and he did the 2 week program. We were skeptical that it would really make much of a difference, but on about the 6th day, when all of the participants were instructed to make random phone calls to businesses and use the techniques that they had been taught, Lou had a big breakthrough moment. He looked so much happier and he spoke with near perfect fluency. It was like a 10 ton weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. Other participants in the group also had breakthrough moments like this.

Now we have been home for about 3 weeks and he still has near perfect fluency. He knows that he will always have to work on staying fluent for the rest of his life, but he now has the tools and resources to do it.

I urge you to try this program out. We got financial help from my parents, but there was one young man who got help from his church. There are very cheap places to stay right next to the therapy place ($20-$25 per night) at the Ronald McDonald house and the Caring Center. There is also some scholarship money available.

Please email me if you have any questions about the program.

Thanks for sharing your story with all of us. It will offer hope and help a lot of people get free from stuttering. Your story is also another example of speech therapy working. Thank you again for telling all of us your story! We appreciate it! :)

[nik037]

Thanks for sharing your story with all of us. It will offer hope and help a lot of people get free from stuttering. Your story is also another example of speech therapy working. Thank you again for telling all of us your story! We appreciate it! :)

I just read your blog. I know how you feel but you have to push through it. I think my stutter has actually pushed me harder and made me accomplish more. I always felt like I was at a disadvantage, that I had to work harder than most people, be better than most people, smarter, prettier, funnier, etc. I wanted to take attention away from my stutter so I went to college, then to graduate school. I now have an MBA, but I can not find a good job, I think mostly bc of my stutter.

Just use all that frustration to push you to accomplish things. When you do accomplish your dreams they will be that much sweeter bc you will know how hard you had to work to get there!

Don't give up!

[Jake]

Are there any one week programs? I just can't see me taking two weeks off work, and away from my family, for something like this. But I can certainly see me doing it for one week.

[marktb68]

I have to post about this. THE ONLY PROGRAM THAT HAS GIVEN ME SUCCESS IS HOLLINS. I WENT THRU RONALD WEBSTER'S PROGRAM IN ST. LOUIS 23 YEARS AGO AND STILL REVERT BACK TO THE TECHNIQUES. THEY ARE THE ONLY TECHNIQUES I FIND THAT GIVES ME CONSISTENT PEACE AND FLUENCY.

MARK

[ron99]

I went through the two-week PFSP program in Norfolk Virginia with Ross Barrett about a year and a half ago. This is actually my second time through. The first time I went through was about 20 years ago.

I've tried numerous therapies over the years, this is by far the best one for me. I am still quite fluent after year and a half.

It's definitely an investment of time and money but well worth it if you're willing to work hard.

Sure I'd love to have a magic cure that didn't take any thought or effort, but since that doesn't exist in my opinion this is the next best thing.

Ron

[zinnia11]

I just wanted to give everyone an update on my son, Lou. It has been almost 1 1/2 years now since he did the intensive PSFP therapy in Virginia. He is still at about 80% fluency. He still has flare-ups now and then. He doesn't practice the tapes very often that he was given at the end of the program, although he was encouraged to by the therapists. But when he seems to have a flare-up, I remind him to go back and practice the tapes. After that, he's usually back to around 80% or better fluency. He has tried to stay in contact with most of the people in his therapy group. They have had varying degrees of success. But, I really believe that if each person practiced the right way and as often as they should, they would have the same degree of fluency as Louis.
Another important thing that the therapy did for Louis that he told me about recently, is that it helped him accept himself better. He is much more comfortable with himself, and that is a huge benefit, at least in my book. Lou has suffered from depression on and off, whether from having to deal with stuttering or something else, so when I heard that he had felt this way, I thought it was worth mentioning here.

[ron99]

That's great to hear about your son.

I suggest finding something that would motivate him to get into the habit of listening to the CDs as part of his daily schedule. When I went through PFSP in Norfolk 20 years ago they did not have those recordings. I found that in the years after although I was more fluent than before I went, over time without practice I went back to some of my old speech habits. the more that happens the harder it is to use the techniques when you really need them.

It's MUCH easier to maintain them than lose them through neglect and try to get them back.

Having gone through the program again about a year and a half ago I find the CDs invaluable. I still tried to listen and follow along with either CD 3 or 4 several times a week. Since they are only 20 minutes long, He can use them when getting ready for school on the way to school,etc. I have them on my mp3 player so I can take them anywhere I go. by doing this I'm still at least 90% fluent in even the toughest speaking situations and even if I do have a problem they probably aren't noticeable to anyone else. None of the blocks, repetitions or funny faces I used to make :-)

I hope this helps,. I realize it's can be hard to keep a young person motivated but if he will it will change the course of his life.

Ron




I just wanted to give everyone an update on my son, Lou. It has been almost 1 1/2 years now since he did the intensive PSFP therapy in Virginia. He is still at about 80% fluency. He still has flare-ups now and then. He doesn't practice the tapes very often th while getting ready for school he can use them while he's getting ready for work it easy to listen they are only at he was given at the end of the program, although he was encouraged to by the therapists. But when he seems to have a flare-up, I remind him to go back and practice the tapes. After that, he's usually on the way to school back to around 80% or better fluency. He has tried to stay in contact with most of the people in his therapy group. They have had varying degrees of success. But, I really believe that if each person practiced the right way and as often as they should, they would have the same degree of fluency as Louis.
Another important thing that the therapy did for Louis that he told me about recently, is that it helped him accept himself better. He is much more comfortable with himself, and that is a huge benefit, at least in my book. Lou has suffered from depression on and off, whether from having to deal with stuttering or something else, so when I heard that he had felt this way, I thought it was worth mentioning here.

[zinnia11]

My son and I felt a little vindication, I guess you could say, the day before yesterday. We were sitting in a doctor's waiting room and there was a tv that was playing videos about health and medical research.
What caught our attention was when there was a segment on stuttering. They talked about how researchers have recently found a stuttering gene.
Maybe this isn't really new news, but it was to us. It seems like most non-stutterers think that the disorder is related to stress and anxiety and if the stutterer would just slow down and relax, they would be fluent. Even doctors who are not stuttering experts believe that stuttering is related to anxiety.
So, it's good to hear that gene research is being done and maybe in the next generation, there may be medical treatments available.

[Raezaun]

I've always heard of people talking about them taking courses and therapies and books and this and that, but I never seen no one tried to share even 1% of their experience, or a clue to what really helped them, the whole 3 weeks of the course could be resumed in a couple of pages, what exactly been done in the course? I think all this is just a hoax, beside where the hell on earth would I get 3200$ for a 3 weeks course, a 1000 per week, no food or place to stay is included, changing the whole teeth in your mouth would not cost that much.
Kinds
Rae

[ron99]

I'm not trying to sell you anything and I don't appreciate you saying that I'm involved in a hoax because I'm reporting the results of the therapy I took and was trying to help someone else.

Also you make statements like "changing the whole teeth in your mouth would not cost that much." I recently had a quote for some dental work involving a bridge what was well over $3,000 for just a couple of teeth.

If you believe stuttering therapy shouldn't cost any money then then go to the library on stuttering or get free information online but don't make accusations about those reporting the results or therapy that they've taken just because you don't understand it or disagree with it.

I've always heard of people talking about them taking courses and therapies and books and this and that, but I never seen no one tried to share even 1% of their experience, or a clue to what really helped them, the whole 3 weeks of the course could be resumed in a couple of pages, what exactly been done in the course? I think all this is just a hoax, beside where the hell on earth would I get 3200$ for a 3 weeks course, a 1000 per week, no food or place to stay is included, changing the whole teeth in your mouth would not cost that much.
Kinds
Rae

[pgaprospect22]

HEY!! i went to the same place...Ross Beret was there?!

[Lenny]

does anyone know what ross barrett is doing that hollins is not???

all the threads for hollins is not as good as for ross?

[ForvrKate]

Give me $90k flat out and I will turn myself into a millionaire within 5 years.

That's almost a 50% rate of return.. seems very unlikely.

[neilmccauley]

I went through the PFSP through Ros Barret as well in Norfolk. He's a great guy, and if anything, he's a recovering stuttering himself and a licensed SLP s well. Though, long term, it wasn't successful for me.

[rony]

Does any1 know the long run effect of this program?? I read lot of negative reviews of Hollins but PFSP clinic seems worth spending money if its also effecting in long run.

Anyone know the progress of Brian or any1 who attended the program few years ago?

[marktb68]

Not to agree with Ron but I see his point. There is never anything specific about what you did, or how you did it. Just "I am fluent" now. If you are really concerned about helping others then type up something and post it somewhere Not that hard.


Mark

[ManofMetropolis]

My 2 cents on the PFSP program in Norfolk. I went through the program first for the 2-week course then for a one-week refresher a few years later. It's late at night, so if any of this is confusing or you have questions feel free to ask. :)

I think different people have varying degrees of success in this program for a multitude of reasons. I won't get into everything but IMO, the "perfect" candidate for this kind of program is someone who stutters, but has low social anxiety and a true determination to become fluent.

The reason I say this is because PFSP is really good at fixing the "mechanics" of our speech...you spend 2 weeks, 8 hours a day re-training your body how to speak and breathe properly. You also spend a little time practicing these mechanics in "real world" situations--conversations, phone calls, asking questions, ordering food, etc etc. When those two weeks are up, you will initially be much much more fluent because you were spending the majority of your time re-teaching yourself how to speak.

Once you leave, however, it's up to you to maintain what you've learned and continue to work on these mechanics. If you are naturally outgoing and are going to talk a bunch regardless of whether you stutter or not, you'll probably find this relatively easy. Sure, a few speedbumps here and there, but I've known people who speak 99.5 percent fluently YEARS after going through the program.

However, if you feel like social anxiety/fear of speaking or other secondary symptoms get in the way more than your actual stutter, then this might not be the best program for you...at least not yet. You have to keep working on your new speech in order for it to succeed, so if you go back to your old ways and hole up, well, you can probably guess how it's going to turn out.

All in all I think it's a great program, but don't assume that it's a magical cure and all is well forever after you finish the program. It takes hard work and self-confidence (both during and after the 2 week course), and you will still have to challenge yourself and put yourself out there once the program is complete. If you work hard and put the time into it, you'll be a happy camper!

[Bruce]

My 2 cents on the PFSP program in Norfolk. I went through the program first for the 2-week course then for a one-week refresher a few years later. It's late at night, so if any of this is confusing or you have questions feel free to ask. :)

I think different people have varying degrees of success in this program for a multitude of reasons. I won't get into everything but IMO, the "perfect" candidate for this kind of program is someone who stutters, but has low social anxiety and a true determination to become fluent.

The reason I say this is because PFSP is really good at fixing the "mechanics" of our speech...you spend 2 weeks, 8 hours a day re-training your body how to speak and breathe properly. You also spend a little time practicing these mechanics in "real world" situations--conversations, phone calls, asking questions, ordering food, etc etc. When those two weeks are up, you will initially be much much more fluent because you were spending the majority of your time re-teaching yourself how to speak.

Once you leave, however, it's up to you to maintain what you've learned and continue to work on these mechanics. If you are naturally outgoing and are going to talk a bunch regardless of whether you stutter or not, you'll probably find this relatively easy. Sure, a few speedbumps here and there, but I've known people who speak 99.5 percent fluently YEARS after going through the program.

However, if you feel like social anxiety/fear of speaking or other secondary symptoms get in the way more than your actual stutter, then this might not be the best program for you...at least not yet. You have to keep working on your new speech in order for it to succeed, so if you go back to your old ways and hole up, well, you can probably guess how it's going to turn out.

All in all I think it's a great program, but don't assume that it's a magical cure and all is well forever after you finish the program. It takes hard work and self-confidence (both during and after the 2 week course), and you will still have to challenge yourself and put yourself out there once the program is complete. If you work hard and put the time into it, you'll be a happy camper!

hi can you tell me when you took the program?

i took the program and had the same results as you but am not able to find out an answer to a question unless i go back and take the program again which I cannot affort.

can you tell me a definition of "definite completion of the final articulatory position" means and how it is done?

you sound like you understood the program and might know how to answer this- what is a definition of "definite completion of the final articulatory position"???

thanks in advance if you answer!!

bruce

[Lenny]

I did the www.fluentspeech.com clinic. It is taught by Ross Barrett, the first stutter to go through the Hollins program and teach for them. (i think he might of been the "man in charge" for a period of time) Anyways, we learned how to breathe correctly, stretch out syllables and genital onset so that we don’t block certain sounds ect...its a really good program for people who do stutter. We had a 10yr old kid who couldn’t get out his name, much less read a paragraph out of a text book. After 2 weeks I would think the kid never stuttered, and its all capped off by meeting with people who did the program in the past. Met with a guy who did the program 22yrs ago and he still has fluency. He is not 100% fluent but he is at least 95% fluent. I counted 5 times he stuttered during a 2hr meeting with him. Also met with many people who did the program yrs ago (8-15yrs ago) who speak like they never stuttered. I watched the DVD they send out and thought "well, if the guy has been doing it for 35yrs he has to be doing something right"...During my pre-tape I read a 252 word passage (1 paragraph), it took me 2:56 to read it with 30+ errors (blocks/stutters/re-reading the same word to get to the next word ect)...After 12 days I read a different 252 word passage (3 paragraphs) in 1:49 and had 3 errors. All errors were because I was reading to fast and mis-spoke the word or didn’t read the word at all cause I read over it. Most of the time it is a 3 week course. Our 3rd week is done on our own at home. I am starting it tomorrow. After talking with past patients I found that they all had the same message. Practice, practice, practice, if you don’t you fall back into your old habits. Also got a lot of insight on the "miracle drugs" out there for stutters.

Hi

of course glad you did well on your program.

did you know that instead of gentle onset, the most important target in the program, you said "genital onset"?

Not making any point just saying what you said.

why do you think you used "genital" instead of "gentle"?

don't think they will print this comment but maybe I will be surprised.

lenny

[PFSP FAN]

The PFSP kicks ass!

I went through it 15 years ago and have attended regular refreshers ever since then. It is not easy and it is not cheap but it is well worth it.

[ManofMetropolis]

Bruce, I enabled PM. Feel free to drop me a line.

[Bruce]

Man of Metropolis,

What do you mean you enable PM?


How can I drop you a line except for here?

Could you just answer back using the forum website can you tell me a definition of "definite completion of the final articulatory position" means and how it is done?


Bruce (I will check your info and see if you give an e-mail address)