For additional information, please download the NEW Speakeasy Brochure (PDF format)

Stuttering is a communication difficulty in which the person who stutters is unable to verbally communicate when they wish to in the way in which they want to. (Stuttering, stammering and dysfluency all refer to the same condition.) 

Stuttering is a complex set of behaviours that may involve repeating sounds, syllables or words, prolonging sounds, blocking or hesitating, and avoiding or substituting words. 

There may be other secondary behaviours associated with stuttering such as excessive muscle tension in the face, neck, back or stomach. Distortion of the face can occur with grimacing, frowning, etc. There may be unusual movements of the head or limbs. There are as many different patterns of dysfluent behaviour as there are people who stutter. 

Stuttering, especially in adults, can be accompanied by emotional embarrassment, distress and frustration. People who stutter often avoid speaking situations, because of the associated fears and distress, e.g. talking on the telephone. People who stutter may avoid choosing a career in which they believe their stuttering will become obvious or be a handicap. 

Stuttering usually starts in childhood between the ages of two and five. About 5 per cent of children under the age of five will experience dysfluent speech while learning to talk and about a quarter of them develop chronic stuttering. Stuttering is more common in boys than in girls. The ratio is about 3:1 or 4:1. 

Stuttering varies in degree of severity and according to the situation. It is episodic. For example, a child may be fluent for days or weeks at a time then dysfluency can reappear. Adults commonly report "good" days and "bad" days. 

It is well known that some speaking conditions reduce stuttering severity. Stuttering will be reduced or eliminated when the person is singing or speaking in a chorus, but stuttering will reappear as soon as the situation changes.

PROGRAMME: NEW ZEALAND SPEAKEASY ASSOCIATION 17^th ANNUAL CONFERENCE 18-19 MAY 2007

THEME: “New Directions”

VENUE: Coppertop conference room, 2^nd floor, Commerce building, University of Canterbury, Christchurch.

Friday 18^th May

1915 for 1930: Welcome to delegates – Stephen Hoare-Vance

National Oratory Competition. Topic “Thinking outside the Square”

2015 Speaker: Judge Andrew Becroft

2115 Competition results, super, finish

Saturday 19^th May

0830 Relaxation session

0845: Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Speakeasy Association

1030: Morning Tea

1045 AGM resumes

1200 Light lunch

1245: First Speaker: Collette Woolcock, Clinical Psychologist, Anxiety Disorders Unit, Canterbury District Health Board

1330 “The Profession of Speech Language Therapy”, presentation from the Communication Disorders Department, University of Canterbury. Professor Michael Robb, and graduate students;

Ai Leen Choo, Bianca Phaal, Martina Schaefer

1500 Afternoon tea

1530 Open forum

1600 Finish

1900 Meal at Thai Garden restaurant.

Contacts; Stephen Hoare-Vance: shoare_vance@hotmail.com    0274458827

Barry Hay 03 9818595