Scientists at Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI), a non-profit research and clinical center specializing in stuttering, have developed a new stuttering treatment with advanced behavioral, electronic and computer technologies that significantly improve the ease of learning and retaining fluent speech.

Hollins Fluency Program helps people who stutter learn how to replace faulty muscle contractions that cause stuttering with new muscle behaviors that generate fluent speech. By literally "reconstructing" muscle actions that drive movements of the tongue, lip, jaw, soft palette, and vocal folds, individuals who stutter can acquire and sustain the ability to speak fluently.

Therapy lasts 12 days and is effective across a wide range of stuttering types and severities. Data shows that 93% of HCRI clients master fluent speech by the end of the 12-day intensive therapy program. For more information, visit www.stuttering.org.

Johnny,
HCRI's program is specifically designed to enable people to sustain their ability to speak fluently for the long term. Individuals are taught how to manage/control specific muscle details that have been determined through research to produce fluent speech.  HCRI scientists have tested the treatment program with more than 5,000 people. Stats of results are on HCRI's website at http://www.stuttering.org/results.php . 

You are right... as with any type of treatment, you have to be committed to therapy and practice for the best results. To help sustain lifetime fluency, HCRI offers refresher courses, clinician phone support annual reunion with workshops, online tools, a forum etc. HCRI is also working with developing Iphone technology to promote fluency maintenance.

I hope this helps.

The HCRI program is quite intense as well. A family member participated in the HCRI program... and it made a dramatic transformation (literally changed her life ... before she was a severe stutterer... and she has been fluent for years). The Institute's new therapy is based on a web-based platform that has potential for 24/7 access any where in the world. Though remote therapy administration is a year or two away.

The Institute currently has an online post-therapy program that helps clients practice and  maintain fluency -- It's called FluencyNet ... its on the HCRI website at www.stuttering.org)  HCRI engineers are also in process of developing an Iphone technology tool, which monitors speech, breathing, etc. (pretty cool stuff).

Johnny,
I'll try to answer your questions...

The Institute is based in Roanoke, Virginia (USA) where therapy is administered.  Roanoke is in the southwest part of the state and is a beautiful area.

Remote therapy administration means... that since HCRI's new treatment uses technology built on a web-based platform, there exists potential for the Institute's proprietary, quality-controlled therapy to be delivered (administered) in other locations around the world that have internet access.  Though implementation is likely a couple years away.

I've not participated in the program -- a family member has participated.  She was a severe stutter and now can communicate beautifully with smooth, fluid speech. HCRI's new therapy program was unveiled this past weekend at the Institute's 35th anniversary reunion (we saw a demo) and then the formal announcement was made yesterday.

If it is helpful, here's a link to a press release about the new therapy if you are interested in more info:  http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/hcri/34006/

Johnny,
The remote administration of therapy is not available now... though HCRI does offer online post-therapy support tools.

As far as your questions regarding therapy costs and other program specifics, it would be best for your to contact HCRI directly.  The people there are really helpful (no pressure). The phone number is 540.265-5650 ... email is admin@stuttering.org

Ive sent them an email asking for prices and info ,
as soon as i get the reply ill post it online .
I think its a great idea having online help for PWS
Johnny