By Tom Scharstein
Chairman, World Stuttering Network

Van RiperIn every generation, certain figures rise to a level where their influence reshapes an entire field. For physics, it was Albert Einstein. For speech therapy (especially in the treatment of stuttering,) it was Charles Van Riper. To this day, his work stands as a foundation, and perhaps the most exciting news for our community is that his legendary Van Riper Tapes are now freely available through the Stuttering Foundation’s website: Click here and use code VR2025.

Van Riper’s motto, “Learn to stutter easier,” was not only groundbreaking in his time but remains a lifeline today. Instead of promising a world where stuttering was erased, he showed us how to live fully with it. His approach emphasized acceptance, openness, and reducing the struggle. He believed that stuttering could be managed, modified, and carried with dignity . . . and that people who stutter could thrive while still being authentically themselves.

What Are The Van Riper Tapes? 

The Van Riper Tapes are a series of recorded lectures, therapy demonstrations, and discussions by Dr. Van Riper himself. Produced in the mid-20th century, these tapes captured his unique blend of science, wisdom, and humanity. They reveal not only his techniques but also his warmth and compassion toward people who stutter. In them, viewers hear Van Riper outline his famous stages of therapy:

Identification – becoming aware of one’s own stuttering behaviors and attitudes.

Desensitization – reducing fear and shame associated with stuttering.

Modification – practicing strategies to stutter in ways that are less tense and more controlled.

Stabilization – integrating changes into daily life.

While the recordings are several decades old, the ideas are anything but outdated. His voice still rings with clarity, urging us to strip away fear, face stuttering directly, and reclaim the joy of communication.

Why They Still Matter Today

One of the most remarkable things about Van Riper’s work is its timelessness. Just as Einstein’s theories still shape modern physics, Van Riper’s principles still shape and inspire modern speech therapy. His understanding of the human side of stuttering, not just the mechanics, makes his teachings as relevant in 2025 as they were in the 1950s. In a world where technology advances at breathtaking speed, it’s easy to assume that old resources are outdated. But the Van Riper Tapes remind us that wisdom and human insight don’t expire. His strategies for stuttering modification remain cornerstones of therapy, and his compassion continues to offer hope.

The Stuttering Foundation Gift

The Stuttering Foundation has made these historic and invaluable tapes freely available to the public. For students of speech-language pathology, they are an essential glimpse into the roots of our profession. For people who stutter and their families, they are an invitation to hear from the man who pioneered acceptance and empowerment long before it became part of mainstream conversation.

You can now watch these tapes...unedited, authentic, and powerful...through the Stuttering Foundation’s website. They are more than historical documents; they are living lessons, filled with insights that still change lives today.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

Van Riper’s message was clear: stuttering does not have to hold you back. With courage, knowledge, and the right tools, you can learn to stutter in ways that reduce struggle and open doors to connection. His legacy is one of hope, empowerment, and dignity.
So when we say that the most exciting thing in the stuttering community today is the Van Riper Tapes, it’s not nostalgia...it’s recognition. Recognition that the wisdom of the past is fueling the progress of the present, and guiding us into the future.

If you haven’t yet experienced Van Riper’s voice, now is your chance. Visit the Stuttering Foundation’s website, scan the QR code, and step into the presence of a giant in our field. Because just as Einstein reshaped how we understand the universe, Van Riper reshaped how we understand stuttering. And his voice is waiting for you . . . steady, hopeful, and still urging us all to “learn to stutter easier.”

From the Fall 2025 Magazine