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From: lisa
Date: 17 Oct 2010
Time: 08:28:53 -0500
Remote Name: 99.251.79.74
Hi Natalie thanks for your comments. I know that here in Toronto many speech pathologists we have been in regular contact with recommend our two functioning groups, Demosthenes and Toastmasters, to their clients. As for children who stutter, I think it would be great to set up a PWS children's camp, (they have one in BC) but so far this is just at the thinking stage. The trouble is it is difficult to merge adults and children in a self-help group setting because the two call for different approaches. In the Toastmasters group I run I am please to say that many of our participants are from Non-North American cultures and they have been drawn to the group because it is a way to practice both stuttering therapy techniques and practice english. They are very appreciative of this opportunity! The language issue is another thing. I would love to provide services in French on the website but for that we would need a dedicated volunteer. I think the overall decline in attendance at self-help groups is because of the rise of the internet and social media, but that issue is of course debateable. I don't think we will ever see a return to the 1970s and 80s levels of self-help group activity and community involvement in general. But I would be happy if i am wrong!