Stammering & Asperger's Syndrome are both part of me and who I am

Scott Ingram is my name, stammering & Asperger’s Syndrome are both a part of me and who I am. I would like to share with you all that 10 years ago this year I joined The McGuire Programme. That was in October 2012 in Dundee, Scotland after many years of struggling with my stammer and now I have the ability to speak to anybody in any speaking situation.

In 2011, when my stammer was at its worst, I watched a documentary called “Stop My Stutter” which featured The McGuire Programme which is a speech organisation for people who stammer ran by people who stammer. This is the course that English singer Gareth Gates, who also has a stammer, took part in.

After watching “Stop My Stutter”, I could see that was the help I needed with my own stammer and I wanted to go on the next course that was available.

Stop My Stammer (Pt.1) – the show that made Scott join the programme to do something about his stammer.

I applied and attended the course in Dundee, in October 2012, which was a full 4-day course. During the intensive course, I was taught a new way of breathing – costal breathing, mainly used by opera singers, and a new way of speaking along with learning about physical and psychological techniques to help me control my stammer.

The programme allowed me to learn how to become an articulate eloquent speaker. When my stammer was really bad, I couldn’t have a conversation with anyone without stammering severely. I found most speaking situations really difficult and challenging whether it was simply speaking on the phone, speaking face to face with people, or even saying my name.

It affected me, everywhere, every day, in all situations. Since joining The McGuire Programme I have attended numerous courses and improvement days throughout the UK to help with my speech which I have worked hard on. I practice every day so that I don’t fall back to how I was before joining the programme.

At the start of each day, I do my costal breathing to warm up my diaphragm so that I am ready to tackle any speaking challenge I may face. This really helps and makes a huge difference to me. Over the past 2 years I continue to keep on top of my speech by attending support groups, improvement days, morning warm-ups etc on Zoom which are all great and I have massively benefited from attending these support groups.

Nowadays I am a much happier and more outgoing person since I have learned how to accept and embrace the fact that I have a stammer and learned not to be ashamed of my stammer. I am aware I will always have a stammer since there is no cure but I now have the techniques to help me control it.

Because of The McGuire Programme, I can now speak in any speaking situation to anyone, whether it’s on the phone or face to face. In regards to any stammer, I have to be positive, not negative and I have to keep moving forward with my speech. I can do absolutely anything I put my mind to.

If you know anyone who stammers or anyone with a stammer you can get more information on The McGuire Programme’s website www.mcguireprogramme.com or feel free to get in touch with me if you need any more information.

Many thanks for reading.

Scott Ingram

Matt is your first point of contact for people who stutter in the UK Region.

Around the world, our Regional Directors run the Programme in their respective regions. They organise Courses, Support Groups and Open Nights – among many other events and happenings related to helping people who stutter.

Matt is very happy to answer any questions you may have so please don’t hesitate to contact him.