The University of Iowa Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center will co-sponsor FRIENDS Day, a conference for children and teens who stutter, their family members, and clinicians Saturday, Oct. 5 at Heartland Area Education Agency 11 in Johnston.

The program begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m. Prior registration is required. Fees for children and family members have been waived thanks to proceeds from a Des Moines fundraiser.

There is a $70 conference fee for clinicians. However, those who register in conjunction with a client's family will receive the reduced rate of $25. Discounts are available to clinicians who meet the early registration deadline of Sept. 25.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend presentations, discussions and group activities. Key facilitators and presenters include UI Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders clinical associate professors Toni Cilek and Linda Louko, and professor Patricia Zebrowski.

The event welcomes speech language pathologists (SLPs) and students who wish to learn more about stuttering, current treatment methods, and intervention strategies. Qualifying SLPs in attendance will receive .5 continuing education units

Those requiring overnight accommodations are encouraged to make hotel reservations as soon as possible. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Ramada Tropics Resort and Conference Center, 500 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines.

FRIENDS Day is organized by FRIENDS: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter, and The Stuttering Foundation. For more information or to register, visit clas.uiowa.edu/comsci/files/comsci/friends-brochure.pdf.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact Patricia Zebrowski at 319-335-8735 or tricia-zebrowski@uiowa.edu.