The Experience of People Who Stutter: A Survey by the NSA

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Re: Mixed Results for assistive devices

From: Jim McClure
Date: 12 Oct 2009
Time: 13:23:54 -0500
Remote Name: 71.228.102.188

Comments

The numbers of assistive device users in our survey are small, but the findings track with other surveys. Larry Molt of Auburn University is doing a long-term study of SpeechEasy users, and has found that fluency gains often are not permanent. The devices change how you hear your own speech, but also change how you hear the rest of the world, and some people find this distracting. Our survey showed no significant difference among different assistive devices. I think assistive devices can be a useful tool for very severe stutterers as part of a speech therapy program, because the device makes it easier to apply stuttering modification techniques. Unfortunately, the SpeechEasy was initially promoted as an all-purpose cure for stuttering, and many people try to use the device with no speech therapy or attitude change. For people looking for a miracle cure, an assistive device is essentially a $5,000 lottery ticket. I recently heard about some low-cost DAF software that works with an iPod or iPhone, and this may be a low-cost alternative that people can try out before purchasing an expensive device. Again, I think assistive devices can be a useful therapy tool but not an alternative to speech therapy.


Last changed: 10/12/09