Front Range Speech and Stuttering Specialists
Find your voice

The first several years of life are an exciting and sometimes anxious time for parents. It’s thrilling to watch your child grow and develop. But things don’t always go smoothly. What happens when your child begins to stutter? Is not speaking when other kids their age are? Has trouble speaking clearly or saying certain sounds?

We can help.

We know children are their parents’ pride and joy; we want to help them communicate effectively just like you do. That’s why our work with preschoolers is parent-centered. We don’t just treat the child—we work closely with the parents as well. We believe in empowering parents by enabling them to be active participants in the therapy process. By listening to your concerns and understanding your family’s unique dynamics, we can help you develop the skills and confidence to support your child in becoming a happy, successful communicator.

For parents of preschoolers who stutter: Our clinicians are trained in the Lidcombe Program, a well-supported treatment that is considered by many to be best practice for this age group. We also counsel families on how to respond to and communicate with their preschooler who stutters; we provide guidance, tips, and feedback on how to make minor changes in order to create a supportive home environment that promotes fluent, smooth speech.

Communication is essential to thrive in this world, and at no time is this more evident than during the school years. Children and teens with speech and language difficulties can struggle academically and socially, become isolated and withdrawn, or develop low self-esteem and a negative self-image. This is not only true of stuttering, but also of language disorders, trouble with articulation, and learning disabilities. The good news is that all of this is preventable.

We can help.

With younger children, we work closely with parents and, if appropriate, the school therapist to create treatment plans that address academic, social, and interpersonal concerns. Our clinicians strive to make activities fun and engaging so your child will look forward to therapy each week. Teenagers—as any parent of one can attest—often require a different tack. We listen to you and your teen to come up with a treatment plan that is personal, achievable, and most of all MOTIVATING. We want teens to achieve their goals, not ours. We help them get there by respecting their individuality and showing them that they can be effective communicators.

Fluency disorders (stuttering and cluttering): Dr. Pollard is an expert in the area of fluency and a life-long person who stutters himself. He understands the frustration, shame, and despair that stuttering can cause, but also the hope and potential that lives within all those who have struggled to find their voice. His approach to treatment is broad-based and eclectic, incorporating aspects of stuttering modification and fluency shaping to address each person’s physical and psychological needs. Since stuttering often affects much more than just speech, he also employs psychotherapeutic methods drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Whether you want to learn to speak more fluently or to stutter more easily, you will find help on your journey toward better communication, a fuller participation in life, and freedom.

Voice and acquired neurological disorders: Our clinicians are trained in the most up-to-date therapies for communication disorders following stroke, TBI, and other neurological traumas, as well as speech-language impairments resulting from neurological disease. We are also experienced in the treatment of all types of voice disorders.