[ Contents | Search | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Rob Grieve
Date: 07 Oct 2007
Time: 15:32:33 -0500
Remote Name: 90.240.111.128
Hi Stephanie, Thank you for your question. Firstly a new environment like a university with all the resultant pressures is enough to increase one`s stress levels regardless of speech proficiency (and often does with our students). This could in turn could have a negative effect on the fluency of a PWS. Hopefully as she becomes more comfortable in her academic studies, her speech should become less of an issue. As you know there is often a strong link between stuttering behaviour and self confidence, self esteem, etc.. Linked to the confidence in her speaking get her to take risks and try not to avoid uncomfortable speaking situations. This will in turn increase her self confidence and have a positive effect on her fluency. As is often the case if she has fun and gets on with her studies, makes friends and enjoys the university experience……. the stuttering will may become less of an issue! Ask her to have a look at this great paper with sound advice “Two Things I Wish I'd Known About Stuttering When I Was Younger “by Alan Badmington (Wales, UK). This paper is part of the ISAD 10 online conference. Over emphasis on her fluency and telling her things like , "Just spit it out"….is enough to make things worse. The other key thing about self confidence is that it often improves “like a good wine, with age”. I have only recently (mid forties) grabbed my stutter by the scruff of the neck and kicked it into touch!! Although at times it still causes pain and anxiety! Finally, the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA) should make provision for your sister`s speech dysfluency, if it affects her studies. At her University there should be a designated disability advisor who could arrange for extra time in verbal/oral assessments. Hope this helps, Rob