[The following opinion editorial about the movie, The King’s Speech, and the HCRI stuttering therapy program appeared in the “Roanoke Times” on Monday, January 24, 2011.]

Just after my wife and I watched “The King’s Speech” at the Grandin Theatre in Roanoke, a friend asked me if I enjoyed it.

“No, I suffered through it. But it was a great movie.”

I have been a stutterer since the age of 6. Every time King George VI puffed his cheeks helplessly as he tried to get out a word, I felt the frustration and pain.

We stutterers know all too well “Bertie’s” fear of situations that would force us to read a text publicly or speak before a group. Most stutterers fear the telephone because we cannot control the dialogue. We remember painfully the innumerable occasions when we had all the right words in our heads but could not utter them.

We groan as we think of all the well-meaning friends and family who tell us — as they told the British king — to take a breath or just relax. If we could, we would.

Famous stutterers include Moses, Demosthenes, Churchill (whose problem the movie alludes to), Marilyn Monroe, Oral Roberts, Carly Simon, James Earl Jones and John Stossel. Eighty percent of all stutterers are males.

Like most stutterers, my disability started when I was very young. My mother feared I would flunk kindergarten because no one but she could understand me. Somehow I passed. But then in first grade my teacher put me in front of the class to help me enunciate. My panic developed into stuttering, which I would be helpless to manage for the next 32 years.

Stuttering often turned school into a nightmare. Fellow students looked at me quizzically and mockingly. In high school, one considerate lad asked me publicly why I could not talk like everyone else. I was glad to take Latin and Greek, so-called dead languages, because reading them was important — not speaking them.

But I dreaded French class every day, when I would sweat rivers of living water down my sides as the recitation exercise made its way up and down the rows until it came to me. Everyone sighed because they knew I would take so much longer than everyone else, while I tried to force words from my uncooperative mouth.

In college, I had to join in class discussion because the University of Chicago prided itself on small classes with lots of conversation. Sometimes, with the running start seen in “The King’s Speech,” I might be fluent for a few sentences. But invariably I would grind to a halt, utterly tongue-tied before an intractable consonant.

I was humiliated when my grad school adviser recommended speech therapy. How did he know? Strangely, many of us stutterers are in denial. But the speech therapy I received there made no real attempt to cure me, instead trying to help me accept myself. It was a waste of time.

Other speech therapists adopted something like the psychological theory used by the king’s therapist in the movie — thinking the cause of stuttering is childhood trauma. Attempts to help me talk through my supposed traumas did nothing for my speech.

Later in life it dawned on me that many non-stutterers had childhood trauma, and many stutterers did not, or dealt with their traumas in healthy ways.

Real help came only when I discovered as a new assistant professor at Roanoke College that right in my own backyard was a stuttering clinic with reportedly the best fluency rate in the world — 90 percent after five years. My three weeks there were very difficult — 12 hours a day learning how to breathe and feel my throat and vocal cords as I learned to talk all over again. But by the end of the three weeks, I was a new man.

The Hollins Communications Research Institute is based on a neurophysiological approach. Its founder and director, Ronald L. Webster, believes that the source of stuttering is a physical defect in the network between the brain and the organs of speech — something like a learning disability. HCRI’s approach uses behaviorist methods, teaching clients to repeat the same sounds thousands of times until new neural pathways are formed. We gain new neural and muscular memory so that fluent speaking becomes a learned habit.

The telephone no longer scares me. I don’t anymore turn down invitations to give papers at academic conferences because I am afraid. I have spoken frequently on radio, sometimes on TV and lecture around the United States and abroad. I thank God for one of the best-kept secrets of the Roanoke Valley — the Hollins Communications Research Institute .

HCRI Contact Information:  Phone: 540-265-5650  Email: admin@stuttering.org  Address: 7851 Enon Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019  Web: www.stuttering.org

The second week of May each year is designated National Stuttering Awareness Week.  This recognition week first started in 1988 when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution that was championed in part by Senator John Glenn, husband of Annie Glenn who received successful stuttering treatment at Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI ) in Roanoke, Virginia.

Founded in 1972 by Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D., HCRI has grown into a world-leading center for the investigation and treatment of stuttering. The non-profit Institute is unique from other stuttering organizations in that work focuses on developing scientifically based treatment methods, as well as administering stuttering therapy. HCRI offers 17 stuttering therapy programs annually and has treated more than 5,800 people from across the U.S. and 23 other countries.

There are three million people in the U.S. and 66 million people worldwide who suffer from the debilitating effects of stutteirng.  During National Stuttering Awareness Week, which takes place this year from May 10-16, people who have an understanding of the impact stuttering has on people’s lives are asked to seize the opportunity to:

• Educate others about the challenges of this unique human disorder;
• Promote the importance of HCRI research to find the cause of stuttering that could lead to a cure; and
• Let people know that practical, effective treatment is available from HCRI, which will give them the skills they need to speak fluently for a lifetime.

If you know of anyone who would benefit form HCRI’s scientificaly based therapy, have them visit www.stuttering.org or call 540-265-5650 for more information.  HCRI’s staff will take the time to answer questions and share information about the Institute’s 12-day intensive stuttering therapy program. In addition, some scholarships are now available for program participants.

Hollins Communications Research Institute Served as a Key Research Participant in National Initiative

Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI – www.stuttering.org ), an internationally recognized center for stuttering research and therapy innovation, participated in a breakthrough study on the genetics of stuttering that appeared as the lead article in the February 10, 2010 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study was headed by Dr. Dennis Drayna of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), located in Bethesda, Maryland. According to HCRI Founder and President Dr. Ronald L. Webster, the research demonstrates, for the first time, that a specific genetic linkage has been discovered within related family members who stutter. Three genes have been identified that deal with mechanisms within cells that break down and recycle metabolic products in key regions of the brain.

“While these findings are exciting, they apply only to about five percent of people who stutter,” Webster noted. “There is much more work to be completed before we have a clear picture of the extent to which genes play a role in stuttering.”

An estimated 66 million people worldwide suffer from the effects of stuttering, with three million living in the U.S, according to NIDCD. The condition can impair social growth, hinder educational and career aspirations, and produce emotional scars that may last a lifetime.

Roanoke-based HCRI (www.stuttering.org) was selected to participate in the NIDCD research project because the center’s work focuses on developing objective, physically based methods for the analysis and treatment of stuttering. Over the past 37 years, HCRI scientists have studied thousands of people who stutter, aged 10 to 73, representing an extensive range of stuttering types and severities.

Nearly 5,800 people from 24 countries have participated in HCRI’s stuttering treatment, which helps people learn how to replace faulty muscle activities that cause stuttering with new muscle behaviors that product lasting fluency. The center’s research shows that 93 percent of clients achieve normal fluency by the end of their 12-day intensive stuttering therapy program. Follow-up studies reveal 70 to 75% retain fluency for the long term.

When asked how the discovery of the genetic link to stuttering might be relevant to the stuttering treatment program developed and administered at HCRI, Webster said that it is too early to determine the potential impact. “However, as our work progresses, we may find that only those stutterers who have related stuttering family members, and who also have extreme difficulty in learning fluency skills in therapy, may be carrying the critical genes,” he explained.

Webster also noted that, at some future time, it might be possible to develop treatments for a small number of stutterers that would involve adding specific enzymes to their blood stream in order to improve cellular metabolic functions within the brain.

HCRI will again play a role in the next series of stuttering studies by the NIDCD. “There is potential for terrific discoveries in the forthcoming research,” Webster added.

About HCRI

Hollins Communications Research Institute (www.stuttering.org), founded in 1972 by Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D., is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit center headquartered at 7851 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Virginia 24019. HCRI scientists pioneered the concept and development of physically based stuttering therapy. The center holds 17 intensive 12-day stuttering treatment programs annually.

Clients include John Stossel of Fox News; Arthur Blank, cofounder of Home Depot; and Annie Glenn, wife of senator and astronaut John Glenn. HCRI is located at 7851 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Virginia, 24019. Contact HCRI at admin@stuttering.org or 540-265-5650. For video speech samples and more information, visit www.stuttering.org .

The new Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI) Stuttering Therapy Scholarship, made possible through the generosity of HCRI alumni, is already making a dramatic impact on the lives of people who stutter by putting advanced stuttering treatment within financial reach.

With these tough economic times, HCRI’s $1,550 scholarship has been a pivotal factor among the majority of participants being able to come for treatment.  The scholarship makes the net cost of therapy ($2,950) less expensive than programs offered by other stuttering treatment providers.

During each therapy session, we hear clients express their gratitude to HCRI’s alumni for making their participation possible.  We don’t want scholarship funds to run out and encourage you to continue supporting this important program. The quality of people’s lives depend on it – especially now.  Please click here to support this vital cause:  https://www.stuttering.org/donate.php

About HCRI

Hollins Communications Research Institute, founded in 1972 by Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D., has grown into a world-leading center for the investigation and treatment of stuttering.  The 501 (c) (3) nonprofit institute is unique from other stuttering organizations in that work focuses on researching the stuttering condition, as well as delivering stuttering treatment.

Videos speech samples that show the impact of HCRI’s pioneering work in the field can be found at  https://stuttering.org/clientvideos.php .  For more information about HCRI send an email to admin@stuttering.org or call 540-265-5650.

One month after the introduction of Apple’s iPhone as a stuttering treatment tool in January 2009, nonprofit Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI – www.stuttering.org) has integrated the iPod Touch into its scientifically based stuttering therapy program. Applications for both devices were developed in-house at HCRI and designed to help program participants more effectively transfer newly acquired fluency skills from the clinical setting into real-world environments.

Similar to HCRI’s iPhone software, the iPod Touch features an advanced voice monitoring system that measures and scores speech behavior taught during stuttering treatment.  Under the guidance of specially trained HCRI clinicians, stuttering therapy clients use the device with a small external microphone to practice their new speaking skills in everyday situations.

As individuals speak, the iPod Touch screen displays real-time fluency measurements for each utterance. This immediate feedback helps therapy program participants improve the accuracy and speed with which fluency is achieved.  Additionally, the device records and transmits speech patterns back to HCRI, enabling the Institute’s clinicians to further customize therapy for each program participant.

Both the iPod Touch and iPhone applications have been extremely well received among therapy participants, according to HCRI Founder and President Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D.    “Signals from the speech monitor help clients stay on track as they retrain tongue, jaw, mouth and throat muscles to achieve long-term fluency,” Dr. Webster explained.

HCRI adapted the iPhone application for the iPod Touch since no phone plan is required, making it more cost-effective for therapy.  There is no additional cost for program participants to use either device during HCRI’s 12-day intensive stuttering therapy program.

About HCRI

Hollins Communications Research Institute ), founded in 1972 by Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D., has grown into a world-leading center for the investigation and treatment of stuttering.  The 501 (c) (3) nonprofit institute is unique from other stuttering organizations in that work focuses on developing scientifically based treatment methods, as well as administering stuttering therapy.

More than 5,600 people from 23 countries have come to HCRI for stuttering therapy. Clients include John Stossel of ABC TV’s 20/20 program; Arthur Blank, cofounder of Home Depot; and Annie Glenn, wife of senator and astronaut John Glenn. HCRI is located at 7851 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Virginia, 24019. Contact HCRI at admin@stuttering.org or 540-265-5650. For video speech samples and more information, visit https://www.stuttering.org .

Scientists at Hollins Communications Research Institute  https://www.stuttering.org), a leading center for stuttering research and treatment innovation, have just completed successful trials using Apple’s iPhone as a stuttering therapy tool to enhance the transfer of new fluency skills from the clinical setting into real-life situations.

The iPhone device was programmed at HCRI with a sophisticated voice monitoring system that evaluates and scores speech behaviors taught during stuttering therapy.  When clients use the device during training in outside situations, such as in a shopping mall, restaurant or business setting, fluency measurements for each utterance are displayed on the iPhone screen.  Having this data immediately available to stuttering therapy program participants makes speech practice more effective and helps improve the speed with which fluency results are achieved.

In addition, the iPhone records every speech sample in an onboard file for later transmission to HCRI. This information enables the institute’s therapists to provide more detailed and precise training to clients, as they learn to apply new speech capabilities in everyday situations.

The iPhone has exceeded expectations during trials with stuttering therapy participants, according to HCRI Founder and President Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D.  Client scores in outside trials were similar to those made in the clinical environment, indicating that quality transfer of fluency skills was being attained.

“Our clients now have a dynamic, easy-to-use tool that can be used in virtually any setting to evaluate how well they are using newly learned fluency skills,” Dr. Webster said. “In addition, the device provides training feedback and performance data that were previously available only with our clinic-based computers.”

Webster added that client responses during the trials, which were completed last week, have been extremely positive.  He attributes the device’s strong appeal to the fact that the iPhone is a practical and fun piece of technology to use for the advancement of stuttering treatment outcomes.

The iPhone will become a regular component of HCRI’s stuttering treatment during the week of  January 26, 2009.  HCRI’s stuttering program, Hollins Fluency Program: Advanced Speech Reconstruction for StutteringTM, helps people who stutter learn how to replace faulty muscle contractions that cause stuttering with new muscle behaviors that generate fluent speech.  By helping people learn how to reconstruct muscle actions that drive movements of the tongue, lips, jaw, vocal folds, and breathing mechanisms, individuals who stutter can acquire and sustain the ability to speak fluently.

An estimated 66 million people worldwide suffer from the effects of stuttering, with three million living in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health. There is no cure for the condition – only stuttering treatment can help.

About HCRI

Hollins Communications Research Institute (https://www.stuttering.org), founded in 1972 by Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D., has grown into a world-leading center for the investigation and treatment of stuttering.  The 501 (c) (3) nonprofit institute is unique from other stuttering organizations in that work focuses on developing scientifically based treatment methods, as well as administering stuttering therapy.

More than 5,600 people from 23 countries have come to HCRI for stuttering therapy. Clients include John Stossel of ABC TV’s 20/20 program; Arthur Blank, cofounder of Home Depot; and Annie Glenn, wife of senator and astronaut John Glenn. HCRI is located at 7851 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Virginia, 24019. Contact HCRI at admin@stuttering.org or 540-265-5650. For video speech samples and more information, visit https://www.stuttering.org.

There are 66 million people globally who suffer from the debiliating effects of stuttering.  Yet there is help in the form of treatment that can transform their lives. That’s why Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI), a pioneer in stuttering research and treatment innovation, has launched a development initiative designed to extend treatment access and support vital research in the field of stuttering.  The fundraising effort is called the Inventing the Future campaign — and you can help.

Envision what it would be like to live each day having people…

• Turn away when you try to talk with them;
• Hang up the telephone when you call them; or
• Laugh when you are desperately struggling to say something important.

This is what happens to people who stutter.  They have fluent thoughts, fluent writing abilities, and even fluent singing skills. Yet, it all breaks down when they try to talk.  Stuttering (also called stammering) affects three million people living in the United States and 66 million people worldwide.  Those who speak fluently take it for granted.

Sadly, stuttering has been ignored on the national health stage because it is deeply misunderstood by people who do not have it.  Many have the misconception that persons who stutter are less intelligent – or have emotional or mental problems. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

HCRI research scientists have demonstrated that stuttering has a physical basis and is not caused by mental dysfunction or anxiety.  The simple fact is that stutterers are normal people who have difficulty talking; and they deserve help and attention.

The good news is that HCRI, which was founded in 1972, has pioneered the development of scientifically based stuttering treatment methods that have helped thousands who stutter learn to speak fluently.

Researchers at the Institute are on the verge of key discoveries that may isolate the cause of stuttering, which could ultimately lead to a cure. In addition, HCRI is working on ways to use technology to extend treatment access to more people in more places than ever before possible.

The reality of operating a not-for-profit institute is that outside funding is needed to move forward with important work that will benefit society.  That’s what led HCRI to initiate the Inventing the Future campaign.   Interested persons can join the cause to help improve the lives of persons who stutter by making a gift at  www.stuttering.org or calling 540-265-5650.