Children
Stammering often starts when children are between two and five years old, but it can start...
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Kevin Fower
Specialist Independent Speech and Language Therapist
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Children
Stammering (stuttering) often starts when children are between two and five years old. Some children stop stammering quite soon after they start, whereas for others it might continue. Stammering is complex in nature, with a number of internal and external factors which combine to determine the amount of stammering that is experienced, and the impact it has. These factors include language skills, behaviour, temperament and personality, and environmental factors such as pace of life. Just as every child is unique, every child’s stammering is different.
Young People
Young people who stammer often say they stammer more frequently in certain situations. For example, they might stammer more during presentations, during oral exams, or when talking to a group of friends. It may be that stammering is more frequent at the moment because things are difficult and our routines are very different to how they were before. Stammering can also have an impact on young people, and their parents, because it has been happening for a number of years.
Adults
Stammering in adults can occur for a number of reasons. It may be that you have stammered since you were a child. Sometimes stammering can start in adulthood following physical or emotional trauma such as a head injury or stroke. As an adult, stammering can lead to a range of emotional and behavioural responses including avoidance, unhelpful coping behaviours, and feelings of distress and anxiety. Ultimately, stammering can stop you from doing what you want to do in life and it can be difficult to be open and to address your negative experiences.
Testimonials
“Kevin was immensely popular with the children, young people, parents and the adults he worked with. He was quick to establish a rapport and was able to give the people he worked with answers to their questions and confidence that they were in safe hands. His gentle warmth and engaging manner, combined with his depth of knowledge and experience, ensured that his therapy was expert and tailored to each individual’s needs. He was able to support those he worked with to develop their skills and confidence as communicators, empowering them and helping them to realise their potential.”
“Several years ago, I attended a training course in Newcastle that Kevin delivered. His rich knowledge and enthusiasm ignited my own interest in stammering, and I subsequently completed a PhD in the area. I will always be grateful to him for his contribution to my career path.”
“Dear Kevin, I write to you to express my sincere satisfaction of your services for my daughter Amelia. After Amelia developed a stutter, as loving parents we became very concerned. After research online, we found you and now after 5 months or so Amelia’s stutter has practically gone and she is chatting away with confidence. We trusted you and our trust paid off. You offer a unique formula which also helped us in helping our daughter. I strongly recommend Kevin’s expertise to anyone who has a child who has developed a stutter. We are both so very grateful.”
“Dear Kevin, Thank you so much again for the earlier session. I can’t tell you how uplifted and positive I now feel – it’s a weight I carry with me every day! I am so excited about this new chapter in my son’s therapy and where it will take us”.
“The session was very informative and it changed my outlook on my stammer”
WHO I AM
Kevin Paul Fower
Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
I have specialized in stammering for 14 years, working as a national resource in the core areas of clinical work, teaching and training, and research. Central to this is the key skill of building an effective therapy relationship, which supports change. I have established The Stammer Specialist Ltd. to bring these skills into the private sector. My aim is to offer quality therapy to children, young people, and adults who stammer.
Two words Same thing
Stammering / Stuttering
Young people
Young people who stammer often say they stammer more frequently in certain situations. For...
Adults
Stammering in adults can occur for a number of reasons. It may be that you have stammered since...
CLINICAL SUPERVISION
Independent & NHS speech Supervision
Clinical supervision is available to qualified independent and NHS speech and language therapists. Whether you are a newly qualified stammering SLT or a developing specialist, it can be helpful to take time to reflect on your clinical practice, including case discussions, exploring the details of a therapy approach, and specific skills development.
Individual, paired, and group supervision is available. I use a range of approaches including Solution Focused Brief Therapy and counselling skills to support you with your agenda and what you would like to get from supervision. Sessions can be a one-off or they can be more regular.
If you have a clinical query or question, or if you are working with a family and you are not sure about your next steps, then please get in touch by completing this form.
The Stammer Specialist Ltd.
Stammering Stuttering
Stammering (stuttering – it’s the same) consists of outward speech behaviours such as repetitions and blocks, which are often combined with associated negative thoughts and feelings, and changes to behaviour. There can also be additional movements in the face, head, and body. Many children stop stammering without any therapy. Lots of people who continue to stammer find that it does not get in their way and there are countless examples of successful (and famous) people who stammer.
However, it is not always that easy. For parents it can be a shock when their child first stammers as it can start quite suddenly. Young people and adults who stammer may find it impacts negatively on their day to day life, or on their self-confidence. It can be difficult to know what to do for the best.
Therapy has come a long way, especially in the last 20 or 30 years. Whether your goal is understanding stammering, addressing negative thoughts and emotions, building confidence, or working on communication skills, it is important to feel like you are in the driving seat.
I set up The Stammer Specialist Ltd. to provide highly specialist expertise in stammering therapy. I offer evidence-based therapy and support to people who stammer and their families and, importantly, I recognize that the experience of stammering is different for everybody. I also offer support to stammering SLTs who are developing their specialist skills e.g. with supervision, to promote evidence-based practice in stammering therapy.
CONTACTS
Get in touch by clicking on the telephone number or the email address below, or by clicking on the
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To book an assessment, click on the ‘Make A Referral’ button below.
IN PERSON
The Stammer Specialist Ltd. is in Bloomsbury, Central London, just around the corner from The British Museum. Please enquire for more information or click on the map Map
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ONLINE
I work online with people from across the UK. Working online offers flexibility, especially when it can be difficult to find a specialist in your local area. Zoom, Teams, and Skype are all available.