The National Stuttering Project ("NSP") has been successfully facilitating workshops for parents of children who stutter since its inception in 1977. We have seen first hand the significant effect the experience can have on participants.

From these workshops the NSP has learned that many parents feel isolated and are unaware of ways they can help build their child's self esteem and improve communication skills. Providing parents with training and access to local resources. such as speech professionals, where they can receive support and information is key to helping children who stutter.

Stuttering is a complex speech disorder that affects personal and academic progress because of its impact on a child's emotional and social development. Studies have found that if all children who needed therapy were enrolled during their preschool years. About 80% of the stuttering during school and later life could be prevented altogether (Starkweather1 1980; Costello 1983; Riley and Riley. 1984). While therapy is important, the critical role of parents in partnership with speech professionals cannot be emphasized enough.

In addition, many speech clinicians could benefit from the latest information regarding stuttering and the most effective methods for treating children.¹

The proposed project addresses the need to foster working relationships between parents and speech professionals while providing up-to-date information on stuttering to both groups. It will create forums where parents and speech clinicians can come together to learn from recognized experts in the field and share information about diagnosis, intervention, treatment, resources and other issues surrounding raising a child who stutters.

The NSP is a consumer run organization with local chapters throughout the United States. NSP is dedicated to empowering consumers through self help and providing support groups, education and training to people who stutter, parents, professionals and the general public.

The NSP Board of Directors has designated 1996 as the Year of the Child Who Stutters ("YCWS") with the goal of promoting education and providing support to parents and professionals who can reduce stuttering and its negative impact on children and families. Consistent with these goals, the objectives of the YCWS National Symposium Project are:

The NSP proposes to launch a national campaign entitled the Year of the Child who Stutters ("YCWS") under which it will coordinate nine (9) regional symposiums throughout the United States. These symposiums will showcase national experts --D. Breitenfeldt, Ph.D., G. Cooper, Ph.D., B. Murphy, Ph.D., G. & 3. Riley, Ph.D. 'S.. W Starkweather, Ph.D. and J. Westbrook, Ph.D. -- who have already agreed to be speakers. Symposiums will deliver up-to-date training to families and professionals regarding stuttering including diagnosis, intervention and speech therapy techniques for children. In addition, information regarding resources, parental rights under IDEA and self help materials will teach families coping mechanisms and empower them to advocate for their children. The project anticipates reaching approximately 450 individuals nationwide.

Project coordination will be provided by NSP Executive Director Michael Sugarman (MBA, MSW), with assistance from NSP employees and volunteers to organize and staff the symposiums. The Executive Director will be responsible for ensuring project implementation, evaluation and oversight of the budget.

Sites for the symposiums have been identified and include: Chicago, IL., Dallas, TX., Denver, CO., Fullerton, CA., Los Angeles, CA., New Orleans, LA., New York, N.Y., Spokane, WA., and Washington. D.C. Organization of local steering committees, consisting of professionals, consumers and parents interested in working on the project, is underway. These committees, under the direction of the Executive Director, will assist in outreach efforts and local media campaigns.

Importantly, many local speech centers -- including California State University, Fullerton, CA., Collier Center, Dallas, TX., Eastern Washington State. Spokane1 WA, Hofstra University, New York, N.Y., and Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA.-- have agreed to host these symposiums. This link is key to ensure that the YCWS reaches consumers and professionals in need of education.

In conjunction with the Stuttering Foundation of America ("SFA") and the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association Consumer Affairs Division, comprehensive materials will be available to families and professionals. Other materials that will be produced by the project include outreach flyers, public service announcements and articles in community newspapers.

The one-day symposiums will follow a similar format. Three symposium sites will add "Youth Day" activities where teenagers will be able to host their own workshops and address issues particular to them. The sample format for symposiums follows: