FRIENDS Stammering Conference in India: Not Feeling Lonely Anymore (Ep. 516)

FRIENDS Conference in Mumbai, India
FRIENDS Conference in Mumbai, India

Dhruv Gupta and Vikas Tantias join Dr. Joe Klein to discuss the great success of the FRIENDS stammering and stuttering conference in Mumbai, India which just concluded. Parents and families came and were ready to talk about the acceptance of stammering and much more. Speech-Language Pathologists attended and gained a better understanding of stammering, voluntary stammering and working on goals other than fluency. Today’s guests discuss growing up before self help groups such as The India Stammering Association (TISA) were available and the power of support for people who stammer.

stuttering, StutterTalk
FRIENDS Conference in Mumbai, India

Dhruv discussed his local self help group which meets for 2 and a half hours sessions with activities such as going to a mall to use voluntary stammering, round table conversations and plans to begin including children and parents in self help. Dhruv mentions being inspired to bring FRIENDS to India after attending a FRIENDS conference in the United States.

Joe Klein, Ph.D, CCC-SLP is a person who stutters and an assistant professor in Appalachian State University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Klein is the author of numerous papers and articles including his chapter Stuttering: The Great Paradox in the book Stuttering: Inspiring Stories and Professional Wisdom, published by StutterTalk.

Dhruv Gupta is a volunteer with TISA, a social entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, and an Indian with a global outlook.