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From: John B. Ellis
Date: 21 Oct 2008
Time: 19:03:01 -0500
Remote Name: 75.71.16.152
I find the notion that coupling SpeechEasy use with additional clinical treatment (broadly described here as traditional) is somehow novel an interesting one. After all, if, by itself, the SpeechEasy could passively inhibit stuttering across all meaningful contexts and conditions and without significant drawbacks, then I guess we could each find another of life's challenges to confront. Instead--at least in all of the SpeechEasy's iterations to date--this is not the case, for even with those examples of dramatic amelioration of stuttering, conditions occasionally exist that simply preclude device use. So, even for those who may arguably experience a "miraculous" response as described by some--but not by us--there will inevitably come a time and place when one must speak without its support. Additionally, SpeechEasy therapy guidelines clearly include the use of traditional behavioral strategies (e.g., easy onset of voicing) as a means to enhance individual treatment outcomes. These strategies represent the "active" component of therapy as opposed to "passive" benefits potentially derived from simply wearing the device. As a practical matter, arguably every SpeechEasy user--at some time or another--must utilize active therapy techniques (i.e., must DO something) to manage his or her stuttering. How much and what kind of additional support needs to be taught and learned depends upon clinical perpective and client preference.