Training for Speech-Language Therapists

Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®) Training

Sisskin Stuttering Center offers periodic ARTS ® trainings for speech-language therapists.

Our 2 ½ day workshop provides an overview of the theory and principles of Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®), presents the nuts and bolts of strength-based assessment, and describes therapy principles for both children and adults. Video demonstration and case presentations illustrate treatment concepts. Mentors (clients who participate in ARTS® Groups) provide personal perspectives and aid in application of theory in break-out groups. We offer both in-person and virtual training.

Upcoming Workshops and Training

Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®) virtual 3-day workshop: April 24-26, 2026
11:00 am – 5:00 pm EDT time, over three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The registration fee is $350.

The workshop is designed for speech-language therapists with a solid understanding of stuttering and traditional stuttering therapy approaches. Application has been submitted for 1.6 ASHA CEUs (16 hours) at Advanced, Professional Level.

The workshop is already more than half full due to early registrations. 

We will send invoices to those who pre-register, until we are full. After that, we will begin a waiting list.

If you plan to register and will attend all 3 days, please sign-up at this link: 

PRE-REGISTRATION

Within a few days, you will receive an invoice by email with options for paying registration fees.

Description of the ARTS® Workshop:
This virtual workshop includes 3 days (16 hours) of instruction, covering ARTS® basics:

  • Theoretical premises and guiding principles
  • Culture/values
  • Therapy procedures and activities

Instructors include Vivian Sisskin, associates of Sisskin Stuttering Center, practitioners with advanced skill in ARTS® service delivery, and mentors (stutterers who share their experiences and perspectives from the client point of view).

Abstract: 
Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®) is based on the principle that there is a difference between stuttering, a neuro-developmental difference, and struggling, learned behaviors created through reactivity to or avoidance of stuttering. Suppression of speech disfluency, concealing one’s identity as a person who stutters, and negative thoughts/emotions related to the experience of stuttering can lead to significant adverse impact.

ARTS is a stutter-affirming approach to therapy that guides stutterers on their individualized journey of acceptance and change. Those who stutter are supported to embrace their difference, resist stigma, and reduce physical and emotional reactivity to disfluency. The stutterer lets go of struggle, whether fear-based or habitual, and thrives with spontaneous disfluency. Therapy outcomes include efficiency, comfort, and confidence in communication.

This workshop will present foundational theory and principles of Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS), ideas to assess for desired therapy outcomes, and the basics of therapy procedures for adults and children. Our participatory clinical training engages community stakeholders (mentors) in the learning/teaching process. Mentors will share their stories, moderate break-out groups, and provide perspectives from their own therapy experiences.

  • ARTS® Workshop for Spanish-Speakers – July 12 & 19, 2026
    If you are a Spanish-speaking speech therapist and would benefit from an ARTS workshop taught in Spanish, you may opt to attend our workshop for Spanish speakers (2 Sundays, July 12 and 19, no CEUs offered). While it is already full, we may be able to add you to the waiting list.
    Email: vivian@sisskin.com

Read about previous workshops

Professional Development Activities

Our team of stuttering specialists offers professional development activities both in-person and virtually to school districts, places of business, and health care providers. We can tailor our presentations, workshops, and individual consults to meet the needs of your organization.

Some examples:

  • For speech language therapists – Developing advanced skills and knowledge for stuttering assessment and therapy (introductory and advanced levels)
  • For speech language therapists running ARTS® groups – group observation and consultation
  • For school-based instructional personnel – Ideas for supporting students who stutter in your classroom and beyond
  • For parents and caregivers of children who stutter – supporting your child at home
  • For children who stutter – small group workshops on topics related to understanding stuttering, responding to teasing/bullying; developing confidence as a communicator.
  • For supervisors and co-workers – Developing a stutter-friendly workplace
  • For all audiences – The nature of stuttering and an overview of new research related to stuttering
  • We can tailor professional development events for school districts to meet identified needs

Some of the topics we have presented to school-based speech therapists include:

  • Acceptance-based stuttering therapy for school-age children
  • Strength-based assessment for school-age children who stutter
  • Writing meaningful and realistic IEP goals
  • Effective group therapy for children who stutter
  • Talking about thoughts and feelings with kids who stutter
  • Is it really stuttering? Differential diagnosis of varying forms of disfluency
  • Effective therapy for children who stutter with other differences (example, autism; ADHD; cluttering; Down syndrome)

Individual Consultation

We offer in-person and virtual consultation services for individual cases.
Activities for individual clients and/or therapists may include:

  • Records review, video clip analysis, and recommendations
  • Development of therapy plan and/or IEP goals
  • Observation of session and feedback on therapy activities
  • Development of individualized therapy activities