If you are an adult who stutters, you may already have had therapy and think it just doesn't work for you. Many people tell us that they are skeptical about being able to make any real improvements since their past attempts were largely unsuccessful or simply short-lived. We ask that you give AIS a chance. Our therapy is different, and it works. 

AIS is committed to helping you make long-term, sustainable changes and giving you access to a supportive, empowering community. You can do this, and we can help. 

Can you Benefit from Therapy? 

The speech-language pathologists (SLPs) at AIS understand how frustrating and overwhelming stuttering can seem. There is a lot more to it than just what people hear and see. Do you:

• Avoid speaking situations and opportunities for fear of stuttering?
• Find the act of speaking to others to be a physical and/or mental struggle?
• Experience negative emotions such as guilt, shame, or anger related to your stuttering?
• Rely on previously learned "speech tools" to be fluent that are not reliable/consistently effective?
• Feel that your stuttering is holding you back from your life goals?

If you experience any of the above, our experienced, compassionate speech therapists- many of whom stutter themselves- are here to help. Schedule a consultation to learn more about how AIS can help you free yourself from the confines of your stuttering.

What We Cover During a Consultation

If you are considering therapy at AIS, the first step is to do an initial consultation. Together we will assess:

• Your personal history and overall fluency
• Secondary behaviors (such as foot tapping and other physical manifestations of stuttering)
• Your avoidance behaviors 
• How you think and feel about your speech and how stuttering has impacted you
• Your personal goals and values as a communicator 

This information is used to make recommendations for your treatment. During the consultation, your clinician will answer questions about our services and give you a sense of what treatment would be like. 

We are able to offer financial assistance for the consultation through our Scholarship Fund.

Learn more about what to expect in our initial consultation.

What Can Adult Speech Therapy Do for Me?

Many of our clients come to AIS having already "tried it all." We will introduce ways of thinking and speaking that you never thought possible. Our adult speech services include individual therapy sessions, group therapy, intensive treatment programs, and the support to help you along the way.

AIS offers holistic treatment that is individualized according to each person's unique needs. While every person is different, therapy commonly involves:

• Learning ways to physically manage moments of stuttering without struggle or physical tension
• Reducing negative thoughts and emotional reactions to stuttering using cognitive-behavioral approaches (CBT), including systematic exposure and fear reduction training
• Enhancing overall communication skills, including the ability to engage in everyday conversations, complete professional interviews, and make public presentations.
• Building confidence in your ability to communicate freely and comfortably
• Working with your family, friends, and teachers, as appropriate, to help them understand your stutter and how they can best support your therapy
  

Related Speech Therapy Services AIS Offers for Adults

While we specialize in the treatment of stuttering, individuals who stutter often present with other communication disorders or challenges. These may include: 

• Articulation-based speech disorders including apraxia and dysarthria 
• Language-learning disorders (including difficulty with expressive language/receptive language)
• Cognitive impairments  
• Voice disorders
• Fluency difficulties related to neurological disorders including brain injury, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, aphasia, or traumatic brain injury
• Social/cognitive communication conditions, including autism spectrum disorders 
  

Get Started With AIS Today

Services are available in New York City, Atlanta, and Online. To schedule your initial consultation, contact AIS at (212) 633-6400 or at speakfreely@stutteringtreatment.org. You can also contact AIS directly here.