A recent BBC News Report claimed that young people and adults with stammers in Northern Ireland often have to travel to England to receive the specialist provision they need. The BBC report added that in March 2012, 130 adults across Northern Ireland were on NHS Waiting Lists, with hundreds of children waiting to receive help for a range of speech and language difficulties in Belfast alone. Nine months later, what is the picture in Northern Ireland?
The McGuire programme has been available across Ireland for the last 10 years, with courses available both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the next year. In addition, weekly support groups are available in most counties. This is a place where people who stammer can meet together to discuss issues and find mutual understanding. The McGuire programme offers a unique form of service delivery where people learn how to understanding stammering behaviours, control their speech and accept it. Furthermore, partial scholarships are available for those struggling to meet the costs of the programme.
The Starfish Course is only offered in Sussex, England. This remains a valuable option for young people and adults who can benefit from the one-to-one intensive therapy which includes breathing techniques, avoidance reduction therapy and positive attitude development.
For those local to Belfast, a self-help group hosted by Northern Ireland Support for Stammering and Dysfluency has been launched and meets on the first Monday of each month.
Overall, it is clear that specialist help and support is available locally. With growing recognition of stammering in the public eye, it is hoped that those with dysfluency difficulties will find the help they need.
Integrated Treatment Services are accepting referrals for children, adolescents or adults with dysfluency and/or other speech and language difficulties within Northern Ireland and across the UK. If you would like to refer yourself or a family member, please contact us here:
www.integratedtreatments.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry
Isabel Prentice, December 2012
Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services
Integrated Treatment Services is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire. Services are also available in other parts of the U.K including Northern Ireland, London, Surrey, Cambridgeshire, Warwickshire, Essex, Middlesex and the East Midlands. We are also able to offer services in Ireland, Dubai and India. Integrated Treatment Services specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists (speech therapy), but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Educational Psychologists and Arts Psychotherapists.
