Dr. Ronald L. Webster of HCRI: Using the Apple iPhone in Therapy (Episode 88)
Download | Duration: 00:46:09
StutterTalk welcomes return guest Dr. Ronald L. Webster, the founder and Director of the Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI). Dr. Webster discusses Apple's iPhone New Use in Treating Stuttering at the Hollins Communications Research Institute.

Be sure and check out Dr. Webster's first appearance on StutterTalk (Episode 69) in which he discusses what he feels is the primary problem facing people who stutter - abnormal muscle speech contractions. Below are some papers and presentations of interest pertaining to HCRI:
- HCRI Articles and Research from their homepage (www.stuttering.org)
- Hollins Communication Research Institute (2007 or 2008) by Cruver & Jacob
- Hollins Communication Research Institute: Fluency Poster Presentation (2003) by Sudemeier & Shultz
The Reading Room
In the coming weeks we will be discussing on air the following two articles in our new Reading Room segment:
- Relapse: A Misnomer by Woody Starkweather
- Creating Your Own Map for Change by Walter Manning





















I don't think Ronald's claim that they can tell when people are avoiding words is accurate. I attended HCRI several years ago and I was avoiding a lot at the end of the program and it seemed like they had no clue, and were not even looking for it.
Ronald was speaking as if their software could detect avoidance, but that is not possible. Their software only analyzes sounds (like hard onsets). Last I checked I don't make any weird noises to indicate that I've chosen to say "I enjoy cake" instead of "I like cake."
Tal,
Eric and I asked Dr. Webster about avoidance issues because we also felt that HCRI might not be looking for it.
Thanks for writing.
Peter
Guys, I love stuttertalk, but I am very disappointed that you continue to give airtime to Webster and Hollins/HCRI. HCRI is a master of marketing and has been misleading stutterers for decades with its success rates. I hope this is last I hear from Webster on stuttertalk.
Thank you for your kind words about StutterTalk. I understand your concerns. Dr. Webster agreed to be a guest on StutterTalk knowing that we would challenge him and ask some tough questions. Even though we openly disagree with aspects of HCRI, we do believe in open dialogue on these issues.
Thanks for writing.
Peter