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Message from the Coordinator of the International Cluttering Association (ICA): 

On behalf of those who clutter, their families and friends, and the researchers and professionals who specialize in this communication disorder, I welcome you to our website. Cluttering is a communication disorder which has been documented in Europe since 1717. The first textbook on cluttering was written by Dr. Deso Weiss in 1964. Although cluttering has been researched by a few speech and language professionals, there has been renewed interest in cluttering among professionals of late. Reflecting that renewed interest, and honoring eastern European pioneers in cluttering, the First International Cluttering Conference was held in Bulgaria in May 2007. Here sixty individuals from eighteen countries met to share their research, their work and their insights about cluttering. It was at this conference that a unanimous decision was made to form the International Cluttering Association (ICA). We are extremely grateful to the organizers of the Bulgarian conference. It is because of their efforts to bring so many together that the formation of the International Cluttering Association has been possible.

The primary goal of the International Cluttering Association is to increase public and professional awareness about this communication disorder, so that ultimately more effective treatments can be established.  In addition, given that those who clutter offer an inside perspective to the disorder, and that a significant portion of cluttering research has been done outside the United States, it is of primary importance to the International Cluttering Association that: 1) the consumer (i.e. the person who clutters) is represented; and 2) representation is international.

Since the formation of the International Cluttering Association in May 2007, our membership has increased tremendously. In addition, the International Cluttering Association currently has an executive committee, with chairs representing consumer, clinical and research interests, and international representatives from ten countries working to increase awareness at the national level. Our membership and leadership continue to grow daily.

This website is designed for both those with general and specialized needs in cluttering. Through this website, we hope to provide information to the pubic about what cluttering is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and where consumers and their families can go to get more information and support. We also hope to develop a forum for experts in cluttering to share their work and to carry on fruitful research and clinical discussions. For speech-language pathologists who treat cluttering, those students who are studying to be speech-language pathologists, and those professors who teach them, we hope to provide resources for learning and teaching more about this communication disorder.

Although our website is new and will take time to build, we already have a wealth of information available. At the rate the International Cluttering Association is growing daily, the website will continue to be refined to better serve you. Your suggestions are always welcome.

Thank you for your interest in the communication disorder of cluttering. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Kathleen Scaler Scott, M.S., CCC-SLP, BRS-FD

Coordinator, International Cluttering Association

Speech-Language Pathologist

Board Recognized Specialist and Mentor in Fluency Disorders

University of Louisiana at Lafayette, USA