The cost of life-changing stuttering treatment has become considerably more affordable during this tightened economic environment thanks to a new stuttering therapy scholarship provided by Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI). Founded in 1972, Roanoke,Virginia based HCRI (www.stuttering.org) is a world-leading center for the investigation and treatment of stuttering.

Each individual seeking stuttering treatment at HCRI between January, 2008 and May, 2009 will have access to a $1,550 scholarship (based on need) to help offset the cost of therapy.  The standard cost of treatment is $4,500, which is priced to meet the nonprofit Institute’s actual costs of research and therapy delivery.  Yet, by applying the scholarship funds, participants will have a net cost of 2,950 for participation in HCRI’s scientifically based program, which has earned acclaim for treatment innovation and therapy results. 

HCRI’s stuttering therapy, Hollins Fluency Program: Advanced Speech Reconstruction for StutteringTM, helps people who stutter learn ow to replace faulty muscle contractions that cause stuttering with new muscle behaviors that generate fluent speech.  Treatment consists of 100 clinical hours over a 12-day period and utilizes the latest behavioral, electronic and computer technologies that significantly improve the learning and retention of fluent speech. 

The Institute’s data shows that 93% of HCRI clients master fluent speech by the end of the stuttering treatment program.  Follow-up tudies demonstrate 70% to 75% retain fluent speech when evaluated one and two years post therapy.

This new scholarship is made possible through contributions from past HCRI clients who wanted to help other people who stutter experience the same transformational results that HCRI’s stuttering therapy program provided to them, according to HCRI Founder and resident Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D.

To apply for the scholarship, persons must first complete an application to attend an upcoming HCRI therapy program. An application is available online at www.stuttering.org or by calling 540-265-5650.  For video speech samples and more information about HCRI, click here .