National Stammering and Cluttering Clinical Excellence Network
Upcoming CEN events...
Stammering resulting from streptococcal infection – Per Alm & Karin Dahlin
Long Covid and Stammering – Dr Tammy Davidson Thompson
Date: Tuesday 21st February 2023
Time: 9.15-16.30 (GMT)
Venue: via Zoom
Speakers: Per Alm, Karin Dahlin, Tammy Davidson Thompson
Cost: Free for Members of the National Dysfluency CEN
Overview:
The main topic of this session will be the unexpected and recently highlighted relation between stammering and streptococcal infection in some cases. The data indicates that this was a major cause of stammering before penicillin became available, and that there still are new cases of this type. The mechanism would be an autoimmune reaction triggered by the infection, probably affecting the basal ganglia in the brain. We will also talk about PANDAS, which stands for a neuropsychiatric syndrome similarly caused by an autoimmune reaction following a streptococcal infection. This condition is important for speech-language therapists working with children to be aware of. We will discuss the implications for clinicians working with stammering, and the initial clinical experiences from Sweden.
Further, the session will include an overview of a novel theoretical framework for the understanding of stammering, based on recent research, related to neurological, speech motor, and psychological aspect.
Working with Functional Neurological Symptoms and an update on a Covid Project.
Date: Tuesday 22nd February 2022
Time: 09:30 - 15:30 (GMT)
Venue: live-streamed via Zoom
Speaker: Debbie Mason, Specialist SLT and
Dr. Jennifer Chesters, SLT
Cost: Included in the 12mth CEN membership subscription
Overview of the presentation
Debbie Mason is a specialist Stammering SLT and is currently Clinical Lead for the regional NHS Adult Stammering Service at North Bristol Trust. Until 2020 she was joint Clinical Lead for the Paediatric Stammering Service in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Debbie is also a Hypnotherapist and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner with trainings in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. She weaves these approaches through her work with clients with Functional Neurological Symptoms (FNS) to help them uncover the resources they need to be well.
Debbie is currently doing a project on Best Care Pathways for SLT Clients with Functional Neurological Symptoms at North Bristol Trust. North Bristol Trust is home to the Rosa Burden Centre, a specialist regional centre for the assessment and treatment of people with FNS and has inpatient and outpatient programmes.
Debbie is particularly interested in the “Positive Intention” behind symptoms and has used this principle to help clients resolve symptoms.
This study day will aim to explore:
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Terminology – Functional / Psychogenic. Are we clear what we mean?
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Current Evidence Base – What do we know?
-
Assessment and Diagnosis
-
Therapy – What Works?
-
Resources
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Client stories. Debbie can share stories of clients with successful outcomes. Please bring stories of any clients with successful outcomes that you would like to share.
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We will have break-out rooms so that SLTs can discuss their own thoughts and experiences.
We will also be hearing from Dr. Jennifer Chesters on her findings from a Covid Project. Jennifer is a Senior Research Associate in the BSLTRU, and a Speech and Language Therapist and Neuroscientist by background. She completed a Psychology degree at the University of St. Andrews, where she developed an interest in the neural basis of communication. She went on to qualify as an SLT in 2008, through the Speech and Language Sciences MSc course at UCL. She has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist in Learning Disability, Forensic Mental Health and Dysfluency services.
The day will run from 09:30 - 15:30 online through ZOOM and will include tea/coffee breaks and a lunch break. The day will be recorded and the video will be available for CEN members to watch on the website for 3 months afterwards.
If you are already a member of the CEN, you can click on the button below to register for a place on this study day.
If you are not a member of the CEN, you can click on the button below to become a member.
Continuing conversations about the Social Model of Disability
Date: Tuesday 22nd February 2022
Time: 09:30 - 15:30 (GMT)
Venue: live-streamed via Zoom
Speaker: Debbie Mason, Specialist SLT and Dr. Jennifer Chesters, SLT
Cost: Included in the 12mth CEN membership subscription
Overview of the presentation
Debbie Mason is a specialist Stammering SLT and is currently Clinical Lead for the regional NHS Adult Stammering Service at North Bristol Trust. Until 2020 she was joint Clinical Lead for the Paediatric Stammering Service in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Debbie is also a Hypnotherapist and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner with trainings in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. She weaves these approaches through her work with clients with Functional Neurological Symptoms (FNS) to help them uncover the resources they need to be well.
Debbie is currently doing a project on Best Care Pathways for SLT Clients with Functional Neurological Symptoms at North Bristol Trust. North Bristol Trust is home to the Rosa Burden Centre, a specialist regional centre for the assessment and treatment of people with FNS and has inpatient and outpatient programmes.
Debbie is particularly interested in the “Positive Intention” behind symptoms and has used this principle to help clients resolve symptoms.
This study day will aim to explore:
-
Terminology – Functional / Psychogenic. Are we clear what we mean?
-
Current Evidence Base – What do we know?
-
Assessment and Diagnosis
-
Therapy – What Works?
-
Resources
-
Client stories. Debbie can share stories of clients with successful outcomes. Please bring stories of any clients with successful outcomes that you would like to share.
-
We will have break-out rooms so that SLTs can discuss their own thoughts and experiences.
We will also be hearing from Dr. Jennifer Chesters on her findings from a Covid Project. Jennifer is a Senior Research Associate in the BSLTRU, and a Speech and Language Therapist and Neuroscientist by background. She completed a Psychology degree at the University of St. Andrews, where she developed an interest in the neural basis of communication. She went on to qualify as an SLT in 2008, through the Speech and Language Sciences MSc course at UCL. She has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist in Learning Disability, Forensic Mental Health and Dysfluency services.
The day will run from 09:30 - 15:30 online through ZOOM and will include tea/coffee breaks and a lunch break. The day will be recorded and the video will be available for CEN members to watch on the website for 3 months afterwards.
2026
30 April 2026 – Finding the Right Balance: Affirming Therapy and Direct Techniques
Ali Berquez & Steph Burgess – Integrating stammer-affirming therapy with direct speech techniques in clinical practice.
2025
2025 – Cluttering Uncovered: Therapy Insights, Practical Strategies and Community Connection
Susanne Cook & Rutger Wilhelm – Assessment and intervention approaches for cluttering, with practical strategies and peer learning.
September 2025 – OSCRC Pre-Conference Workshop: Identity, Stigma and Intersectionality
Derek Daniels – Exploring identity, stigma and intersectionality in individuals who stammer, linking theory to clinical application.
June 2025 – Stammering Therapy from a Neurodiversity Perspective
Scott Yaruss – Neurodiversity-affirming approaches and strategies to minimise bullying across home and school environments.
March 2025 – Lived Experiences: Listening and Learning
Hanan Hurwitz, Anita Blom, Steven Taylor, Wendy Ronaldson & Christine Handsley – Lived experience perspectives emphasising acceptance, listening and reframing attitudes to stammering.
2024
November 2024 – Practical ACT @ the Palin Centre
Jane Harley – Applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within stammering intervention.
June 2024 – Developing the Social Model Narrative in Clinical Practice
Nic Maddy, Simon Henderson & Susie Lloyd – Embedding the social model of disability into therapy, workforce development and group interventions.
February 2024 – Trauma-Informed and Functional Stuttering Approaches
Heather Robinson & Chaya Goldstein – Mind-body approaches for functional stuttering and trauma-informed resilience-based therapy.
October 2023 – Stutter-Affirming and Spontaneous Speech Approaches
2023
Dr Christopher Constantino & Professor Vivian Sisskin – Therapy models promoting spontaneous, efficient and affirming communication.
June 2023 – The Social Model in Practice
Rosemarie Hayhow, Corinne Moffatt-Santos, Alex Ford, Ali Berquez & Martha Jeffrey – Applying the social model across different stammering therapy frameworks.
February 2023 – Research and Medical Perspectives in Stammering
Dr Per A. Alm, Karin (surname not provided) & Dr Tammy Davidson Thompson – Research into causes and mechanisms of stammering, including streptococcal links and Long Covid.
2022
November 2022 – Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy
Dr Ashleigh McLellan & Dr Jack Garfield – Foundations and clinical application of Compassion Focused Therapy.
June 2022 – Continuing the Social Model Conversation
Steph Burgess, Catherine Wooley & Sara Macintyre – NHS and advocacy reflections on extending the social model in practice.
February 2022 – Working with Functional Neurological Symptoms
Debbie Mason – Therapeutic approaches to functional neurological presentations.
2021
October 2021 – The Social Model of Disability in Stuttering Therapy
Professor Vivian Sisskin – Applying social model principles within stuttering intervention.
June 2021 – Fluency and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Kathleen Scaler-Scott – Understanding and managing co-occurring fluency differences and autism.
March 2021 – Teletherapy and Technology in Stammering Therapy
Ali Berquez, Sophie Card, Rosie Markland, Steph Burgess, Ben Bolton-Grant, Teresa Howarth, Jessie Smithson, Sarah Brown & Gareth Walkom – Delivering stammering therapy via telehealth, online groups, parent resources and virtual reality.
We have an upcoming event
Date: Thursday 30th of April 2026
Time: 9-5pm (GMT)
Venue: Online via zoom
Topics: Finding the right balance for your client - Stammer affirming therapy and direct techniques
Cost: Free for members
If you are a CEN member you can click on the button below to register for a place on this study day.
If you are not yet a member you can join us below
Previous CEN study days
Stammering resulting from streptococcal infection – Per Alm & Karin Dahlin
Long Covid and Stammering – Dr Tammy Davidson Thompson
Date: Tuesday 21st February 2023
Time: 9.15-16.30 (GMT)
Venue: via Zoom
Speakers: Per Alm, Karin Dahlin, Tammy Davidson Thompson
Cost: Free for Members of the National Dysfluency CEN
Overview:
The main topic of this session will be the unexpected and recently highlighted relation between stammering and streptococcal infection in some cases. The data indicates that this was a major cause of stammering before penicillin became available, and that there still are new cases of this type. The mechanism would be an autoimmune reaction triggered by the infection, probably affecting the basal ganglia in the brain. We will also talk about PANDAS, which stands for a neuropsychiatric syndrome similarly caused by an autoimmune reaction following a streptococcal infection. This condition is important for speech-language therapists working with children to be aware of. We will discuss the implications for clinicians working with stammering, and the initial clinical experiences from Sweden.
Further, the session will include an overview of a novel theoretical framework for the understanding of stammering, based on recent research, related to neurological, speech motor, and psychological aspect.
We have an upcoming event
Date: Thursday 30th of April 2026
Time: 9-5pm (GMT)
Venue: Online via zoom
Topics: Finding the right balance for your client - Stammer affirming therapy and direct techniques
Cost: Free for members
If you are a CEN member you can click on the button below to register for a place on this study day.
If you are not a member of the CEN, you can click on the button below to become a member.