ISTAR, Institute for Stuttering Treatment & Research, University of Alberta

20/06/2025

Want to work with ISTAR? We want to work with you! Please see the SLP job posting for our Edmonton location here https://bit.ly/ISTARposting2025Edm

09/05/2025

May is Speech + Hearing month in Canada

Every May, we celebrate speech-language pathologists by bringing attention to the life-changing work they do.

As the largest speech-language pathology training program in Canada, we are proud of the commitment our faculty and students make to enhancing communication and improving lives through SLP education, clinical practice and in community support programs.

This month, learn about SLP as we share student perspectives and stories about SLP research and community support initiatives.

09/05/2025

May is Speech & Hearing Month! Think about how you can make communication easier for others - every voice matters

ISTAR helps nine-year-old find his voice

The Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research has helped Linkin become confident and outgoing.

This Speech + Hearing Month, read more about ISTAR: https://bit.ly/3GBpO3s

23/04/2025

This family's decades-long commitment to stuttering treatment was sparked by a friendship and sustained by evidence of incredible impact https://bit.ly/40yearsgiving Thank you so much!

Arnold and Grace Rumbold’s decades-long commitment to stuttering treatment was sparked by a friendship and sustained by evidence of incredible impact

10/03/2025

Read Karise’s story of finding her voice, building confidence, and overcoming a challenge that once caused her to avoid social situations. https://bit.ly/ISTARconfidence

For years, a stutter had made simple interactions a source of anxiety - even tears - for Karise El-Halabi. “I hated talking to people,” says the 13-year-old. It wasn’t until her parents, Imad and Najwa brought her to the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research (ISTAR) that she started ...

26/02/2025

Feb 26 is and we join in the stand against bullying. Whether someone makes choices different than ours, sounds or talks differently, always

Send a message to learn more

05/11/2024

You Can See Me, But Can You Hear Me?
a poem by Sarah (shared with permission)

I, too, have a voice.

But, nobody notices. Stuttering is a private occupation. I live to repeat and block words. I am not hesitant, but brave enough to take the leap down the rabbit hole of speech tangents. I ask for more time on the clock because that one word takes an eternity to utter. The stutters distract, confuse and bore the crowd to tears. A brief speech is all I have to offer.

Stuttering is my challenge, my coming of age gift. It’s that abyss of syllables that I cross, full of twists and surprises. When I open my mouth to utter my name, what I want to say never seems to come out the right way. I may not reach the moon with it, but I do land among the stars. It is my gift, not my struggle. A weakness draped in strength. Pronouncing my name out loud is one slippery vocation. It stumbles, mumbles and jumbles. I’m going there, but don’t ask me to slow down. Slowing down leads to a block…and a repetition until I apologize for just being me.

I s-s-s-tutter, but I do have a voice. A voice as fluid as a flowing ballerina in an ice rink. Listen, listen to the words beating themselves through the shaky yet resilient vocal drums. There is no cure to mend those broken blocks and the frustrations that well inside but there’s a lifelong will decluttering each day’s stutter.

Send a message to learn more

24/10/2024

The last honourable mention for the week of poster contest winners. This information about stuttering was created by Kim. Great tips - "take a deep breath and think about what you want to say "

23/10/2024

We couldn't stop with just 2 winners for ISTAR's poster contest, so here's Lianna's honourable mention entry. Great job Lianna!

22/10/2024

Another beautiful poster contest winner for International Stuttering Awareness Day . We love your colours & your message Ayah!

22/10/2024

October 22nd is International Stuttering Awareness Day Please join us in celebrating by sharing a message about the importance of listening & communication. If you are near the SUB building on campus come say hi to our volunteers from 10-2 today!

21/10/2024

Drumroll, please! 🥁 We're thrilled to announce the winners of our poster contest in honor of ! Big congratulations to Karise E. for the under 12 age group and Ayah B. for the teen age group.

Check out this beautiful poster for International Stuttering Awareness Day . Great work Karise!