FAQ - Real answers to real questions

We wish to encourage our brother to participate in the programme and seek your assistance to convince him of its value. Any suggestions that you can offer would be appreciated (or are we better advised not to push the issue).
It has to be your brother's decision and he must approach it with ownership, commitment and a passion to do something about his speech. If that's not the case we'd rather not see him to be honest. We're not interested in a quick 4-day fix that will see him fluent for 2-3 months; we're concerned about long-term recovery!

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How many people start the programme?
900 people in three years in Australia

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How many finish the programme?
I estimate that 10% give up if they have a relapse after the course.....they expect the "magic pill" and don't accept that they have a major role in the recovery process.

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What is the success rate?
We have a 97% satisfaction rate meaning people who are pleased they have joined the programme. As of February 2006 we have an 86.6% success rate meaning people who are continually advancing with their speech and are doing things now they wouldn't have dreamt of doing before the course.

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What is considered a success (do graduates stop stuttering completely)?
There is no cure for stuttering. A large % of our successful graduates are fluent in all cases with only occasional and minor problems.

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I imagine my brother would find the concept daunting/intimidating. How are such 'fears', apprehensions overcome?
If he attends the course he quickly realises that he is among friends, fellow sufferers who have experienced all the lows that he has. The programme is an extended "family" that extends world-wide. During the course there are challenging situations but we don't ask people to do anything we don't think they can do and all activities are optional. We also encourage family members to do the course or at least parts of the course at no charge so they can help their loved one during recovery.

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What is the best way for us to support our brother ?
Just accept and love him unconditionally but also provide him with information about options available to him to improve his communication. Encouragement is important but I emphasise the ownership to do something has to be with him.

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What is the most common cause of failure (to give up stuttering) by attendees at the programme?
The biggest problem is that students leave the 4-day programme 100% fluent and feel they are "cured". Therefore they don't use the technique we teach them, don't practise the breathing, don't go out and face their fears and challenges and then relapse. They then feel they have failed and McGuire hasn't worked for them and go off looking for the next magic pill instead of getting back to it, following their coaches' directions, etc.

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Typically, how many people participate in the programme at one time?
A typical course is 10-15 with about 20 returning graduates attending at any one time. These people return for other course to help the new students and also to strengthen their own recovery.