Oscar-nominated film The King?s Speech just what people who stutter need: U of A stuttering institute

26 January 2011

The King's Speech starring Colin Firth brings attention to the issue of stuttering and it's important for people to know that there is help for thosewho stutter.

"Stuttering can have serious psychological, emotional and social consequences for adults and school-age children. Adults can endure a lifetime of embarrassment, failure to attain vocational potential and compromised participation in leisure and social activities," says Marilyn Langevin, acting executive director of the U of A's Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research (ISTAR) at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine.

According to Langevin, new research suggests that stuttering affects as many as 11 per cent of preschool children. Children who stutter often are victims of bullying.

"I am thrilled with the public awareness that The King's Speech is raising. ISTAR's mission is to serve people who stutter and one of our mandates is to provide public education," she smiles. "The King's Speech is stimulating many more people to ask questions about stuttering and its treatment--that is just brilliant. Clients are also finding it inspiring and that is equally brilliant."

The movie recently received 12 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor. For more information on the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine's Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research (ISTAR), visit www.istar.ualberta.ca

About the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
As the only free standing faculty of rehabilitation in Canada, the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine balances its activities among learning, discovery and citizenship (including clinical practice). A research leader in musculoskeletal health, spinal cord injuries and common spinal disorders (back pain), the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine aims to improve the quality of life of citizens in our community. The three departments, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA) offer professional entry programs. The Faculty offers thesis-based MSc and PhD programs in Rehabilitation Science, attracting students from a variety of disciplines including OT, PT, SLP, psychology, physical education, medicine and engineering.