The Prof Is In

[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]


Re: Voluntary Stuttering

From: Gary J. Rentschler
Date: 08 Oct 2008
Time: 18:50:42 -0500
Remote Name: 71.162.16.178

Comments

Pamela: A similar and related activity I have some of my clients do is to "freeze" or hold onto their stuttering moment for an extended period of time. The point of this exercise is to feel the stutter transition from feeling involuntary to becoming voluntary (in other words, after a while the stutter only continues because you are holding on to it as part of the exercise). Once the stutter comes into your control, you can end it. My rule of thumb is to have my clients freeze in the stuttering moment until they start to smile, finding some humor in the silly notion that they are now stuttering on the same sound for a full minute of more. At one stage of therapy, this helps to demonstrate that stuttering is controllable, but only after you get beyond the discomfort of it seeming involuntary. This may not be something to try in the workplace, but perhaps with a friend who you can explain what you are doing. Congrats on having the courage to look your stutter squarely in the eye!


Last changed: 10/08/08