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Articles

The articles on this website have one thing in common. They are chosen with the intention of offering you, the reader, a lucid understanding of what stuttering really is. Stuttering is more than an impediment of speech flow. Once children reach 6-7 years of age, nearly all of them begin developing cognitions (thoughts) and affect (feelings) about the stuttering. All adolescents to adults will have developed this. Some have called this the "ABC's of Stuttering": Affect, Behaviors, and Cognitions. Hence, effective treatment will require a clinician wearing the hats of speech expert and counselor. Contributing authors are cited as appropriate. Enjoy the learnings and visit this site again for new postings.


Success Stories


Tim's Stories


Help is Here...Specialist at your Service


sonny perdue speech therpay atlanta
Tim, serving as president of Georgia Speech-Language and Hearing Association, meets with
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as he signs a proclamation to declare May as Speech Month


Defining a Specialist:
Like the medical field, speech-language pathology (SLP) is broad and is comprised of generalists and specialists. Would you go to a cardiologist for a knee injury? We have professionals in sign language, swallowing disorders, articulation, voice, stuttering, and so on. Choosing a stuttering specialist is the logical choice when you want to 1) permanently resolve the stuttering, and 2) do so quickly and in a cost-effective manner.

What is an ASHA Board Recognized Fluency Specialist? The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) recognized the need for specialty recognition in the complex area of stuttering treatment. A Specialist has a minimum of 5 years experience as a certified SLP. In addition, we have documented training and treatment experience specific to stuttering. Letters of recommendation and testimonials of our proficiency are necessary for acceptance.   A Specialist must then meet stringent continuing education standards and documentation of our ongoing treatment of stuttering.

An ASHA Specialty Mentor is the highest recognition given by ASHA to a specialist. These Mentors are carefully chosen and are responsible for helping certify younger SLPs desiring specialty recognition. In addition to the specialization criteria, Mentors must have documented supervision and training of SLPs in the area of fluency disorders.

Tim Mackesey is the only SLP in Georgia to be honored as a Specialist and Specialty Mentor. Atlanta Area Stuttering Specialists is the only full-time private practice devoted completely to stuttering treatment in Georgia

For those not near the Atlanta area

There are two programs being enjoyed by a number of people who stutter and/or parents of children who stutter. These programs offer effective treatment for individuals not near Atlanta.

1) Direct Treatment for Young Children.

Several families have traveled to Atlanta for a consultation and training to resolve stuttering in young children. The parents learn hands-on tools to create more fluent speech and break the cycle of stuttering. F.A.S.T. Fluency, a cutting-edge direct model, is taught to parents to stop stuttering in young children. This is a "self-image safe" approach in which positive reinforcement is at the core. Follow up can be through phone consults, video exchange, live PC camera links, or check-ups in Atlanta. Many families have already had success resolving stuttering in this program. There is a unique time window in young children to resolve stuttering. The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) is embracing the new evolution of consumers connecting with specialists globally.

Click here to read Henry's Success Story here

2) Phone Sessions

For older children and adults employing a combination of traditional fluency strategies and incorporating Neuro Linguistics (NLP), phone coaching can be very effective. (See Neurolinguistics) The ages of current clientele taking advantage of this service are 11-55. Clientele ranges from the Orient, Middle East, Europe, and North America. Assignments may include internet technology and video exchange. See Ian's Homerun for information about a successful phone consultation program.

Click here to read Ian's Success Story on a Phone Session

Fees vary according to services rendered.



Links

General Information about Stuttering


Board Recognized Specialists in Fluency Disorders