Horizons of Voicea community giving stuttering back its voice
We bring together people who stutter, their families and the professionals who work with them. We believe stuttering is not a problem to be hidden, but an experience one can live with openly and speaking their mind freely. We operate through workshops, support groups and counselling, with the aim of empowering people who stutter and offering practical help to parents of children who stutter.
Parents regularly contact us looking for a speech-language pathologist who specialises in stuttering – and there are very few of them in Croatia. That is why we launched this project: to bring a contemporary therapy approach closer to professionals, to show people who stutter and their families that there is a way forward, and to connect them with speech-language pathologists across Croatia.
An Affirmative Approach to StutteringProf. Vivian Sisskin in Split
The founder of the ARTS® approach is arriving in Croatia for the first time. ARTS® changes the way we look at stuttering.
There's more to stuttering than what's audible. Blocks and pauses are just the tip of the iceberg – below the surface lie fear of how others will react, hiding one’s own identity, and avoiding words and situations.
ARTS® (Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering) is a therapy approach that works on exactly this hidden part. Instead of hiding and suppressing, it teaches acceptance and openness: it reduces the resistance and struggle in speaking, frees people from fear and shame, and makes speaking without tension possible.
In collaboration with Logopedika from Karlovac, and at the suggestion of the Hungarian association BeszÉLJ Egyesület, in October 2026 we are bringing the author of this approach to Split – Prof. Vivian Sisskin, Clinical Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland (USA). With more than 40 years of experience, ASHA Fellow status and the prestigious title of Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year in the US in 2014, Prof. Sisskin has been leading the Sisskin Stuttering Center for over 30 years.
How does stuttering become a problem?
One of the ways stuttering becomes a problem is through the use of various strategies to avoid stuttering. Over time, however, these strategies become an inseparable part of the stuttering itself. Speech difficulties are now accompanied by anxious patterns of behaviour. This is where ARTS® comes in.
What is changing in stuttering therapy?
A shift away from traditional techniques focused on achieving fluent speech towards a contemporary, humanistic approach: working on self-acceptance and integrating elements of cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness into work with clients.
What is the ultimate goal?
Effective, confident and comfortable communication. For professionals, it means building on existing approaches with new insights for long-term results.
For people who stutter, it is a simple and powerful goal: “To say what I want, when I want, comfortably and spontaneously.”
ARTS® helps parents of children who stutter to be a source of support, especially in the formative years, when stuttering can lead to withdrawal, depression and social anxiety. Parents are the best allies and complement the work professionals do with their children.
Two-day workshop for speech-language pathologists and other professionals
9:00–17:00
Tehnološki park Split
The first ARTS® workshop in Croatia. Theory and practice, live with the author of the approach. Intended for speech-language pathologists, psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors who work with people who stutter.
The workshop offers
Simultaneous interpretation into Croatian
Tools for desensitising clients through exposure and reducing shame in everyday life
Skills for group and individual therapy
Tools for working with school-age children, adolescents and adults
Skills for talking with parents of children who stutter
Practical examples: people in the programme share their experience
A live group therapy demonstration with volunteers from our Association
A certificate of attendance, with continuing education credits from professional chambers where possible
Lecture for people who stutter and parents of children who stutter
11:00–13:00
Tehnološki park Split
Teenagers and professionals are welcome too! Your path to a more comfortable life with stuttering starts on 17 October. Two hours of direct conversation with a leading expert on stuttering. No dry professional jargon, and plenty of room for all your questions.
What you will learn
New research and insights in the field of stuttering
How a person who stutters can help themselves
How parents can help their child
Why avoidance helps in the short term but makes things worse in the long run
Answers to the questions you sent Prof. Sisskin in advance and the ones you ask her live
Price
Price for Association members
The discount is applied by entering a promo code when buying your ticket.
years of clinical experience of Prof. Vivian Sisskin
2014
Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year in the US
1st
first ARTS® workshop in Croatia
3
three days, two programmes, one venue
We expect participants from neighbouring countries as well – simultaneous interpretation is provided, and the knowledge gained, the chance to interact with Prof. Sisskin, live demonstrations of group therapy and the experiences of collaborators who have gone through the ARTS® programme make this a valuable experience for professionals.
Prof. Vivian Sisskin – a leading American expert on stuttering
Clinical Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland (USA), board-certified specialist in stuttering and fluency disorders. Founder of the ARTS® approach and of the Sisskin Stuttering Center (1990). International speaker and author of numerous professional papers on group therapy.
Awards and achievements
Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year in the US (2014)
ASHA Fellow – a prestigious honour for outstanding achievement
SAY Budd Mayer Advocacy Award
Runs the Open Stutter YouTube channel, promoting affirming perspectives on stuttering
Instagram: @openstutter
Who is behind the project
The project is organised by the Association for Helping People Who Stutter and Their Families “Horizons of Voice”.
Project partners are Split-Dalmatia County and the speech therapy practice Logopedika, led by speech-language pathologist Dubravka Prpić, author of the book “Mucanje – priručnik za roditelje, odgojitelje, nastavnike i stručne suradnike” (Stuttering – a handbook for parents, preschool teachers, teachers and school professionals), who has completed ARTS® training herself.
