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Stuttering

Child & Youth Stuttering

If your child stutters, don’t wait to get help. A consultation during the first 6 months of stuttering is strongly recommended. The critical window for intervention should occur within 18 months to have the greatest impact on altering speech patterns. If left unchecked, stuttering can affect social and emotional development and cause feelings of helplessness, isolation, depression and anxiety. If your family has a history of stuttering, cluttering, stammering or avoiding speaking, a consultation is recommended as soon as stuttering is noticed. Preventative tips and therapy techniques are essential for families with a history of stuttering. A brief one hour investment in time may provide critical stuttering advice to avoid long term concerns.

Adult Stuttering

If you stutter and haven’t had success with other programs, you owe it to yourself to talk to Nancy Barcal and her highly trained staff at Granite Bay Speech. Nancy has decades of experience working with stuttering and cluttering and has helped countless adults feel confident while speaking.

Granite Bay Speech therapists have been trained to work with stuttering and cluttering. Director Nancy Barcal, M.A., CCC-SLP has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally for her high level of expertise. You can be sure your individualized program will be based on the latest research based techniques and technology.

Contact us to learn more about Granite Bay Speech and National Stuttering Association groups!

SpeechEasy®

What is the SpeechEasy® fluency-enhancing device?

SpeechEasy is a combination of proven technology and techniques which can be used to reduce stuttering. Worn in one ear and similar in appearance to a hearing aid, SpeechEasy has helped thousands increase their ability to communicate effectively and confidently.

SpeechEasy devices alter sounds that go through the device so that you hear your voice at a slight time delay and at a different pitch. The purpose of the delay and pitch change is to recreate a natural phenomenon known as the “choral effect.” The choral effect occurs when your stutter is dramatically reduced or even eliminated when you speak or sing in unison with others. This choral effect has been well documented for decades and SpeechEasy utilizes it in a small, wearable device that can be used in everyday life.

Nancy Barcal is one of the most experienced SpeechEasy providers and one of the few chosen as a Premier Provider. She has worked with stuttering for over 40 years and is a mentor for other speech pathologist who wish to learn more about stuttering.

Nancy is flexible in her scheduling and is conveniently located for international travelers close to the Sacramento international airport. Sacramento is a beautiful and affordable location for those who wish to combine their vacation with a SpeechEasy evaluation. Tahoe resorts, Napa wine country and the San Francisco Bay Area are within a short drive. After the evaluation many clients choose to receive individual sessions to improve their communication skills. Call and speak directly with Nancy to create a personalized experience to meet your needs.

How satisfied are individuals who previously obtained a SpeechEasy® device?

Nearly 80 percent of customers are satisfied with their decision to obtain this device and would still purchase it if they had the decision to make over again. Nearly 90 percent said they would recommend that their friends who stutter consider the device as a treatment option. People who use SpeechEasy® also report a heightened sense of confidence, freedom, and self-reliance, as well as an improvement in social and professional relationships.

What is the first step in evaluating if the SpeechEasy® is right for me?

Call us to schedule a free, no-obligation phone consultation with Nancy Barcal, M.A. CCC-SLP to discuss your individual needs. If you determine a SpeechEasy® evaluation is right for you, a three- to four-hour appointment will be scheduled. If you determine you prefer another solution for stuttering you’ll know that you have received accurate information.

Is it possible to receive a SpeechEasy® device in one day?

Yes! Because our director Nancy Barcal has years of experience and is specially trained, she is a Preferred SpeechEasy® Provider. Comfort Fit devices are available for you to take home the same day you receive your evaluation. Comfort Fit devices are discrete and wrap around the back of the ear, similar to hands-free earpieces.

If you prefer a device that fits inside your ear, an ear impression may be made by an audiologist or hearing aid dealer, and sent off to the SpeechEasy lab. Your custom made device will arrive in approximately 3 weeks at the Granite Bay Speech office. Nancy Barcal will meet with you to teach you how to use your device and maintain optimal function.

Learn More about SpeechEasy

The SpeechEasy® program merges technology with techniques. The SpeechEasy® website provides a wealth of information regarding how the SpeechEasy® device works, research articles, funding resources, and a free download of the FluencyCoach to use online.

Contact us to try out the altered auditory feedback for free!

Stuttering Support

Granite Bay Speech support services for stuttering include:

  • Free Parent Support Classes
  • Free groups for adults and children
  • Individual and group therapy for stuttering
  • Counseling for family members of those that stutter
  • Education for employers about the benefits of employing individuals who stutter
  • Workshops for medical professionals which provide resources for stuttering to their patients
  • Advocacy and fundraising for funding stuttering support services
  • Communication centers and school presentations to decrease bullying of students with communication and stuttering challenges
  • Workshops to spread awareness about stuttering
  • Collaboration with public and private Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Consultation services to public and private schools
  • Presentations to home school groups, charter schools, and civic organizations

The National Stuttering Association

The National Stuttering Association (NSA) is the largest self-help support organization in the United States for people who stutter. The Stuttering Foundation of America (SFA) was founded by Malcom Fraser to educate communities about stuttering.

Nancy Barcal, M.A., CCC-SLP has been a passionate advocate and volunteer for the stuttering community. She held one of the first NSP/NSA groups in the Bay Area of San Francisco in 1983 with the support of John Albach and Michael Sugarman. The NSA was originally called the National Stuttering Project.

In addition to supporting NSA groups, Nancy Barcal along with her team at Granite Bay Speech have been involved with community outreaches relating to stuttering as well. This involvement includes volunteer work for stuttering groups and events, sponsoring the production of the film “When I Stutter”, and donating to school districts that support speech therapy for stuttering. All of these acts of service are detailed on our Caring for the Community page!

Stuttering Resources

Online Vocational Rehabilitation Services Application: California Department of Rehabilitation. Must be age 17 or older. If approved, expenses may be covered for therapy, for a device, or both depending upon individual needs.

I take a 3 hour drive to see Nancy Barcal because after meeting with many Speech Therapists during my lifetime there is no one more qualified in the subject of stuttering than Nancy Barcal. I would drive 20 hours to see Nancy that's how certain I am that she is the person who will help me the best. Nancy understands stuttering more than anyone I have ever met.

Noel A.

Parents - Do not be distracted by those who tell you to look to your school district for help in dealing with a stutter! It will delay effective treatment and can even compound the problem. Nancy is a rare specialist in her field, and it took me years to find her. If you or a loved one is struggling with a stutter, Granite Bay Speech is the only place to go.

Melissa A.