The Valsalva Stuttering Network

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Stuttering (or stammering) is often characterized by forceful closures or blocks in the mouth or larynx (either sustained or repetitive), as well as delays in phonation.  There is anecdotal evidence that such behaviors may involve the stutterer's instinctive activation of the body's Valsalva mechanism in an attempt to force out words when he or she anticipates difficulty or feels the need to use extra effort to speak properly.  This possibility has been generally ignored by speech pathologists and is rarely addressed by current speech therapies.  Because they aren't taught to control their Valsalva mechanism, many clients continue to have difficulty controlling their blocks and often relapse, without understanding why.

The purpose of the Valsalva-Stuttering Network is to promote research and education about stuttering and the Valsalva mechanism and methods to reduce the Valsalva mechanism's interference with speech and other activities.

The Valsalva-Stuttering Network welcomes everyone who has an interest in stuttering and/or the Valsalva mechanism, including persons who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and other professionals, and researchers.

In addition to its possible involvement in stuttering, the Valsalva mechanism is also associated with blocking or "stuttering" in the playing of brass musical instruments, such as the trombone.  Therefore, the participation of brass musicians is also welcome.

William D. Parry, J.D., M.A. (Speech-Language-Hearing)

Bill Parry received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was an Editor of the Law Review. After struggling most of his life with a severe stuttering problem, Parry became frustrated with existing theories and therapies and began his own research and experimentation. This resulted in his "Valsalva Hypothesis" (published in the Journal of Fluency Disorders in December 1985) and a therapeutic approach called "Valsalva Control," which dramatically improved his fluency.  This enabled him to become a successful trial lawyer in Philadelphia.  He has been listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Law.

Parry founded the Philadelphia Area Chapter of the National Stuttering Association in 1985 and led its support group meetings for 15 years. He has appeared on TV and radio talk shows and, in 1987, received the "Spirit of Philadelphia Award" from WCAU-TV Channel 10 News. He has given workshops and presentations on the Valsalva Hypothesis locally, at NSP conventions, at the Third International Convention for People Who Stutter in 1992, and at the World Congress of People Who Stutter, in 1995 in Sweden, and elsewhere. A preliminary edition of his book, Understanding and Controlling Stuttering, first appeared in 1992. The Completed Edition was published in 1994, after nine years of work on the project, and the Second Edition was published in 2000. He served for six years on the Board of Directors of the National Stuttering Association and as Chair of its Advocacy Committee.  He recently received a Master's Degree in Speech-Language-Hearing from Temple University.

e-mail: valsalvastutter@aol.com

Last revised: 2/9/2009

The Valsalva Stuttering Network