Kids and Teens Support Projects

The following individuals share short and exciting examples of ideas and events of stuttering organizations and associations around the world as they support kids and teen who stutter

You can post Questions/comments to these individuals before October 22, 2004.


Lee Caggiano, M.A., CCC-SLP (Board Recognized Fluency Specialist) in private practice treating children, adolescents and adults who stutter. The parent of a son who stutters and co-founder/director of FRIENDS- the Association for Young People Who Stutter. She has developed/ coordinated workshops for children who stutter, families and professionals for the past several years, and presented at local/ national conferences. Caggiano has served on the board of directors of the National Stuttering Project, and chaired the Youth Program. She has taught at LIU and received the 2001 Award for Outstanding Commitment.

Paper: FRIENDS

Jane Fraser graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a BA in Russian studies. Graduate work at Universite de Strasbourg, France, in Russian and Linguistics. Has been president of the Stuttering Foundation since 1981. Was a member of the NIDCD Advisory Council of the NIH, 1996-2000. From 1978-1980, worked as editor in cancer research, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. From 1975 to 1978 worked as interpreter and translator, Assemblee Nationale (Congress), Paris, France. She has been Trustee of Hamilton College, Co-chair, Parents Association, Pitzer College. Member of the Societe Francaise de Phoniatrie, and IALP.

Paper: Stuttering Foundation of America

Mark Irwin: Mark Irwin is Chair of the International Stuttering Association having held this position since 2001. He manages the CD Rom project on behalf of the ISA. His previous involvement in the self-help movement include board membership of the ISA since 1998 and President of the Australian Speak Easy Association from 1995-97, an association he joined in 1993. He is a proud father of 3, an enthusiastic golfer and the managing partner of a group dental practice in Adelaide, South Australia.

Paper: CD ROM PROJECT - A Resource for Children, Teachers and Parents


Richard Merson, received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is currently Coordinator of Clinical Research and Special Clinical Projects in the Speech-Language Pathology Department of William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. Dr. Merson is also a bioscientific member of the Medical Staff at William Beaumont Hospital. He divides his professional time between clinical practice and clinical empirical research on diagnostic and treatment strategies for communication disorders. He has published and lectured in the areas of neurogenic communication disorders, including Stuttering , Spasmodic Dysphonia, Vocal Paralysis, and Dysarthria.

Cathy Olish, Cathy Olish is from Michigan and works in Human Resources at Ford Motor Company. She has been an active member of the Royal Oak NSA Chapter for five years, is Co-Chapter Leader of the Royal Oak Teen Support Group (TWIST), Editor and Publisher of the chapters bi-monthly newsletter, the chapters website developer, Assistant Editor of NSA's Letting GO and the NSA Volunteer Coordinator. Cathy enjoys working out, spending time with friends and loves animals.

Paper: Beaumont-NSA TEENS WHO STUTTER (TWIST) Support Group

Nina A. Reardon, M.S. CCC-SLP is a licensed, certified Speech-Language Pathologist who holds board recognition as a fluency specialist and mentor. Presently, she provides services to several rural school districts in Illinois, and specializes in providing fluency therapy services to children and adolescents in private practice. Nina also presents interactive educational workshops for speech-language pathologists. She is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Division #4's Task Force for Insurance Reimbursement, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Stuttering Association, where she serves as the Co-Chairperson of NSA's National Family Programs.

Paper: National Stuttering Association

You can post Questions/comments to any or all of the authors before October 22, 2004.


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