American speech therapist Prof. Vivian Sisskin, founder of the ARTS approach, is coming to Split as part of the Fulbright programme, with the event organised by the Association for the Assistance of People Who Stutter and Their Families 'Horizont glasa'. The event is titled 'Affirmative Approach to Stuttering: Vivian Sisskin in Split' and takes place at the Split Technology Park.
The central event is an interactive lecture on Saturday, 17 October, from 11:00 to 13:00, aimed at adults who stutter and parents of children who stutter. Teenagers who are aware of their stutter and are comfortable speaking openly about it are also welcome. Prof. Sisskin engages with the audience in the hall, answering questions and discussing what is usually left unsaid, with translation into Croatian provided.
Tickets for the lecture cost €70, while members of the association pay €50. The second family member pays €35, and teenagers under the age of 18 pay €25. Membership is open to all, and those wishing to join and benefit from the discount can contact horizonsofvoice@gmail.com, where they will receive a discount code.
The lecture is preceded by a two-day workshop for speech therapists, psychologists, therapists, and all those who work with people who stutter, led by Prof. Sisskin on 15 and 16 October. Participants in the workshop come from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Greece, and receive a certificate of participation at the end. Workshop tickets are available at https://shop.adriaticket.com/event-details/5143/affirmative-approach-to-stuttering-vivian-sisskin-in-split, with a limited number of places.
Prof. Sisskin is an emeritus professor at the University of Maryland in the US, where she developed the ARTS approach (Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering). The visit takes place just a few days before the International Day of Awareness of Stuttering, which is observed on 22 October. On that day, the Horizon glasa Association, in collaboration with the City of Split, will illuminate the fountain on the Riva in the colour of stuttering, turquoise green.
The event is held with the support of the Split-Dalmatia County and Logopedics, as well as sponsors JANAF, Rasta, Matulić, Leđe, and Alfa, with media support from Slobodna Dalmacija.
