Finding My Voice: A Personal and Scientific Journey with Light Therapy

As a scientist and executive who stutters, I have navigated demanding professional environments by embracing resilience. Recently, I discovered transcranial photobiomodulation, a noninvasive light therapy that remarkably improved my speech fluency. Aligning with the conference theme, this workshop shares my lived experience and translates the science behind this therapy, empowering attendees to explore new tools and thrive despite speech disruptions.  
 

Outcomes

Attendees will gain a rigorous, evidence-based understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying stuttering, including cerebral hypoperfusion and impaired basal ganglia timing loops. They will learn how 810 nm transcranial photobiomodulation provides targeted bioenergetic support to vulnerable speech-motor networks, increasing ATP synthesis and improving blood flow. Participants will acquire actionable strategies for building professional resilience in high-pressure environments, leaving empowered to critically evaluate emerging clinical tools while thriving confidently with their stutter. 
 

About the presenters

David Speicher

Dr. David J. Speicher, PhD, DTM, is the Chief Scientific Officer at Cyrus Scientific Inc., possessing over 20 years of expertise in virology and R&D operations. A lifelong person who stutters, he bridges rigorous science with clinical innovation, utilizing his lived experience to advance neurophysiological interventions like transcranial photobiomodulation.

Type
Lecture
Date/Time
August 23, 2026, 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm (NDT)
Location
Salon B
Audience
Adults
Allies
Parents
SLPs and SLP Students
Teens
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