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Frequently Asked Questions
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For whom has the 12-day VaLMod program® Stuttering Therapy Programme been designed for?
The 12-day VaLMod Stuttering Therapy Programme® has been designed for individuals with stutters aged between 11 (those that have completed the fourth grade of primary school) and 65 years of age.
For whom has the 8-day VaLMod program® Stuttering Therapy Programme been designed for?
The 8-day VaLMod Stuttering Therapy Programme® has been designed for children aged between 7 (those that have completed the first grade of primary school) and 11 years of age (those that have completed the fourth grade of primary school) as a part of the aforementioned 12-days Therapy Programme.
For whom has the 12-day VaLMod program® Stuttering Therapy Programme been designed?
The 12-day VaLMod Stuttering Therapy Programme® is designed for those individuals who have completed a VaLMod Programme and require a refresher course.
How old must children attending the 5-day Pre-school VaLMod Stuttering Program® be?
The 5-day Pre-school VaLMod Stuttering Programme® is intended for children aged between 5 and half (pre-school) and 8 years (up to the first grade of primary school).
For which children has the 6-day VaLMod ČiPi Programme® been designed for?
The 6-day Pre-school VaLMod ČiPi Programme® has been designed for children aged between 5 and half (pre-school) and 14 years (up to the end of eighth grade of primary school).
What is the Dysphonia VaLMod Programme®?
The 4-day Dysphonia VaLMod Programme® is a programme designed for individuals of any age with voice disorders.
What are VaLMod Programmes®?
VaLMod Programmes® are intensive neuro-sensory-motor re/habilitation Programmes designed for children and adults that stutter, children with reading and writing difficulties and both children and adults with hoarseness.
What does the word VaLMod® mean?
VaLMod® is an acronym for the Varaždin Logopedic Model.
Does the therapy finish after the VaLMod Programme®?
No, it only starts with the individual returning to his/her everyday life, including family, school and/or work systems, under the control of the VaLMod Centre for at least a year.
Is parental attendance essential at the VaLMod Programme®?
Yes, if the child involved is attending nursery or primary school for the purposes of educating the parents, while attendance for the parents of secondary school students is recommended, but not mandatory.
What is the minimum age for a child attending the VaLMod Centre?
Therapy at the VaLMod Centre includes new-born children (new-borns with neuro-risks).
Is there an upper age limit for those attending the 12-day VaLMod Programme?
The upper age limit for those attending the 12-day VaLMod Programme is 65.
Are those attending the VaLMod Programmes® accommodated at the VaLMod Centre?
Attendants to the VaLMod Programme are not accommodated in the VaLMod Centre but have to organise accommodation on their own.
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Is stuttering hereditary?
Family studies have shown there is a genetic predisposition for stuttering, but further research is necessary.
Is stuttering ‘contagious”?
Case of children who started stuttering when they were in a company of another child who was stuttering have been reported, which can trigger predispositions for stuttering. It appears contagious.
Is stuttering therapy for adults an individual therapy?
Stuttering therapy for adults is an individual and group therapy, conducted exclusively within a VaLMod Programme® 12-day stuttering therapy.
What is stuttering?
Traditionally it is defined as a disturbance of speaking rhythm. With its diversified aetiology/symptomatology stuttering is a combination of neurological, psychological, social, educational and communication problems, which all together produce supportive acoustic and motor manifestations. Stuttering produces problems in maintaining the existing and creating new interpersonal relationships.
Will developmental/physiological stuttering disappear or go away naturally?
Developmental stuttering may disappear naturally, just like it started, but there is a certain percentage of this type of stuttering that will transfer to school-age stuttering. Some of the predictive factors in recovery from stuttering include: the early onset of stuttering (3 years ago), good language, phonological and non-verbal skills, being female and no previous family history.
Can stuttering start in an adult?
Stuttering can start in an adult, providing there is an environmental, psychological or sociological trigger that will cause ‘the weakest link’, i.e. speech, to break.
Can stuttering be cured? / Is stuttering an illness?
There is no cure for stuttering. What is necessary is rehabilitation that requires maximum engagement of an individual in continuous, consistent and constant application of acquired techniques and methods. Stuttering is a disorder, not an illness.
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If a pre-school child does not show interest in paper (drawing or writing) or books (reading picture books, recognising letters or reading), should help be requested?
If the child does not show interest in the above activities, this means that he/she has not developed preliminary skills for reading and writing which are necessary to successfully master reading and writing. We can recommend VaLMod ČiPi Programme®, through which a child is prepared for starting school. The Programme lasts 6 days and the child must be accompanied by one parent who will be trained and able to continue with the stimulation once the child returns home.
What to do if a child demonstrates difficulties in reading and writing?
VaLMod ČiPi Programme® lasting 6 days has been designed for children with difficulties in reading and writing. A child must be accompanied by a parent who will be trained, and is subject to a preliminary diagnostic examination at the Centre.
How can we help a child who has difficulties in reading and writing?
VaLMod ČiPi Programme® lasting 6 days has been designed for children with difficulties in mastering reading and writing skills. A child must be accompanied by a parent who will be trained.
How do we know whether a child holds a pen correctly?
A correct hold of a pen involves three fingers, with the thumb and the index finger positioned one opposite the other to hold the pen and the middle finger is placed underneath, serving as a support. The ring and the little fingers form a fist and stabilise the wrist.
Does a dyslexic child necessarily have a dysgraphia, too?
A dyslexic child does not necessarily have dysgraphia.
How do we know that a child is ready to start school?
A child who is ready to start school must be physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally mature. He/she should also have developed certain skills and knowledge, so when it comes to the domain of speech therapy evaluation, before starting school every child should be able to: emphasize the first and the last sound of the word, analyse and synthesize sounds and syllables, recognise and create rhymes, recognise symbols for numbers and letters, demonstrate visual and spatial orientation, demonstrate visual and audio perception, have developed grapho-motor abilities. Pre-reading skills are a preliminary condition for the development of reading skills, which can be a clear indicator of any possible difficulties in reading at school. Pre-reading/pre-writing skills can be checked at ValMod Centre with a standardised PredČiP Test. |
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What do you do with autistic children?
We deal with all communication difficulties, including children displaying elements defined on the autistic spectrum.
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Can programmes be paid by credit cards or in multiple instalments?
All VaLMod Programmes can be paid by credit cards and in multiple instalments. Repayment options have to be checked with your personal banker. Foreign banks do not offer instalment payment options. A list of payment options is given below.
Should VaLMod Programmes® be paid before starting the therapy?
Payment of all VaLMod Programmes® are made upon arrival to u VaLMod Centre.
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Is accommodation included in the price of VaLMod Programme®?
Accommodation is not included in the price of any VaLMod Programme®, and you arrange and organise accommodation and at your own expense. See the list of beneficiary accommodation rates offered to attendants of VaLMod Programmes®.
Where can I find accommodation?
See the list of beneficiary accommodation rates offered to attendants of VaLMod Programmes®.
Who makes the bookings and how?
You book your accommodation ALONE AND AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE by telephone or e-mail sent directly to Garestin Pension or Hotel Boutique Park.
How far are Garestin Pension and Park Boutique Hotel from VaLMod Centre?
It takes 20 minutes of light walk from Garestin Pension and Park Boutique Hotel to VaLMod Centre. |
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What is the MNRI® Method?
The MNRI® Method is a neuro-senso-motor integration of reflexes developed by Dr Svetlana Masgutova (Masgutova Neuro-senso-motor Reflex Integration, SMEI – Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute, USA) which stimulated neurological development and integration of primary movements, reflexes, coordination system and possibilities for normal functioning, development and learning. Dr Masgutova’s method is oriented to encouraging reflex patterns which stimulate inherent, congenital, motor abilities necessary for motor memory and sensory-motor harmony.
Do you apply this therapy in patients who suffered from a stroke?
In patients who suffered from a stroke a neuro-sensory-motor stimulation of reflexes is applied in accordance with Dr Svetlana Masgutova’s MNRI® Method which stimulates neurological development and integration of primary movements, reflexes, coordination system and possibilities for normal functioning.
Can reflex integration be performed while a child as asleep?
Reflex integration can be performed while a child is asleep.
By what age should a child learn how to ride a bike without training wheels and tie his/her shoe laces?
A child learn how to ride a bike without training wheels and tie his/her shoe laces before he/she starts school, i.e. by the age of 6.
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By what age should a child be able to pronounce the sound [r]?
A correct pronunciation of the sound [r] should have been mastered by the age of 5 and a half.
By what age should a child be able to pronounce the sound [l]?
Incorrect pronunciation of the sound [l] can be tolerated until the child is 4 years old.
By what age should a child be able to pronounce the sound [nj]?
Incorrect pronunciation of the sound [nj] can be tolerated until the child is 3 and a half years old.
By what age should a child be able to pronounce the sound [lj]?
Incorrect pronunciation of the sound [lj] can be tolerated until the child is 5 years old.
By what age can incorrect pronunciation of sounds [s], [z] and [c] be tolerated?
A correct pronunciation of sounds [s], [z] and [c] should be mastered by the age of 4.
By what age can incorrect pronunciation of sounds [ʃ], [ʒ] and [tʃ] be tolerated?
Incorrect pronunciation of sounds [ʃ], [ʒ] and [tʃ] can be tolerated until the child is 5 and a half years old.
Which sounds develop first during development of a child?
The line of development starts with vowels: a, e, i, o, u and consonants: p, b, m, t, d, n, k, g.
By when should a child start talking?
According to a pattern of regular linguistic-speech development, the final deadline for production of a first word with meaning is 15 months.
Can a child stop pronouncing a sound correctly if he/she spends time with a child who has difficulties in pronouncing that sound?
Children often copy and imitate speech they are exposed to within their environment, so this can happen.
What is the difference between a sign language and baby signs?
Sign language is a language that has all the features which other languages have, whilst baby signs is a simple and natural ways of establishing communication with a child. It involves signs adapted to children’s small fingers, which enable communication in a pre-linguistic stage and expression of their needs, thoughts and feelings.
Can baby signs harm linguistic-speech development of a child?
Baby signs establishes solid foundation for communication that remains with the child once he/she starts talking and stops using signs. It encourages language development, influences expansion of vocabulary and enriches syntactic complexity of sentences. By using gestures a child will strengthen his/her communication skills, transfer messages more easily, be active in communication and build a healthy linguistic and communicational development.
When should a child start composing sentences?
A child starts composing first sentences at 24 months.
When should a speech therapist be contacted if a child does not speak?
If a child does not produce a meaningful word after 15 months of age, a speech therapist should be contacted to start the encouragement of linguistic-speech development as soon as possible. By the age of 2, a child’s vocabulary should include a minimum of 250 words, which represents the basis for development of language and grammar. |
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What is dysphonia?
Dysphonia or hoarseness is a speech disorder that is typified by any deviation from normal volume, intensity or quality.
What causes hoarseness in children?
Hoarseness in children is most often caused by organic or functional changes in the throat. Depending on the amount of time the condition presents it may be acute or chronic. Acute hoarseness may be caused by inflammations in the throat or the entire respiratory tract caused by viruses, bacteria and allergies, while the most common causes of chronic hoarseness include chronic laryngitis, vocal oedema, polyps, vocal nodes or nodules and papillomas.
How to ‘protect’ one’s voice?
Voice is protected with voice hygiene, i.e. correct care of voice. This includes avoiding dusty, non-ventilated and smoky rooms, hydration of vocal cords by sufficient intake of water and avoiding loud talk, shouting and screaming.
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Can speech therapy at ValMod centre be followed by a therapy with another speech therapist?
This is subject to prior arrangement.
Does work at VaLMod Centre interfere with other therapies (work therapy, education and rehabilitation, physiotherapist etc.)?
No.
Is a referral note from a GP necessary to be admitted to VaLMod Centre?
No referral note for examination or therapy at VaLMod Centre is necessary.
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News
Testimonials
Obiteljski pristup i briga za svaku osobu s punom pažnjom o usvojenoj terapiji. I redovitim kontrolama.
Meni se kod VaLModa najviše sviđa to što kad dođeš tamo i objašnjavaš neke osjećaje i situacije vezane uz mucanje, oni to sve razumiju. Dok recimo, kad to pričaš nekom drugom, osjećaš se bedasto. A čovjek se ugodno osjeća ondje gdje ga razumiju.
Hvala puno VaLMod timu! Neizmjerno smo Vam zahvalni! Toliko ljubavi, pažnje i profesionalnosti moraju dati rezultate! Nema dana da se ne sjetimo svih vas(posebno tijekom svakodnevnih vježbi doma:))! Naš svijet ste promijenili i do neba Vam hvala na tome!! Puno pozdrava od Marka!
Eto ja sam jedan staaariii polaznik i učim engleski...
A jedva sam govorila i na hrvatskom....
Novim polaznicima želim uspješnu terapiju, da imaju dovoljno vjere u stručni tim, dovoljno hrabrosti i odlučnosti, te mnogo ugodnih trenutaka u ValMod centru i Varaždinu za koje sam siguran da će pamtiti cijelog života. Mi smo iz prethodne grupe polaznika i za ValMod program i tim imamo samo riječi hvale i divljenja.
Za cijeli tim imam samo riječi hvale. I sama sam bila u logopedskom centru ValMod (2003) koji su mi pomogli i uz njih sam rješila svoje probleme sa mucanjem! I svaki puta kad zamucam u nekim situacijama sjetim se dr. Novosela i dr. Tatjane da treba polako govorit i tada sve ide.
Tko zaista ima probleme sa mucanjem preporučam ValMod - pomoći će vam sigurno.
I cannot but honour the entire VaLMod team by saying that they have all helped me very, very much. They are not only experts in stuttering therapies but also beautiful people who love what they do and who transfer that love, positive energy and kindness to everyone who comes to the Centre. Warmest Greetings!
Wonderful experts and first and foremost great people whom I remember with warmth in my heart even though it has already been 12 years since my therapy. You do not treat only stuttering, you treat the human soul. Thank you!
They are excellent: we couldn’t be more satisfied! They treat not only stuttering but also children who do not speak at all!
ValMod, led by Prof Tatjana, are a successful team helping young people with pronunciation issues (stuttering), but we must not forget about Prof Darko Novosel, who developed this learning method. Everyone in the team is a successful and very nice person.
Dr Novosel and his team helped me not only to resolve my stuttering problem but also ‘put my life in order’ as well. The relationship with my family, my mind-set... everything. I love you and I think about you a lot The phrase: I feel relaxed and can breathe calmly, is my rescue in every stressful situation, which there are many.
I accompanied my son, but I myself benefited from the therapy as well. What can I say, you’re wonderful! I would recommend this to everyone who stutters.
The best and the most professional.
My son attended the Programme 8 years ago and we have resolved our serious problem... We are delighted with the entire team of doctors, I can only praise you highly and I would recommend you to everyone!
"My dearest, I still remember you gladly, although it’s been 10-ish years since we first met. There are things and people that change other people’s lives and get them going and you most definitely are one of them! My most sincere congratulations for your well-deserved success and warmest greetings from Dubrovnik!"