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From: Samantha Gennuso
Date: 17 Oct 2010
Time: 20:35:12 -0500
Remote Name: 173.3.84.166
Thanks for asking this Katie. I usually do not consciously use fluency shaping all the time (which, in short, is a combination of a four-part diaphragmatic breathing technique with an intense focus on vibrational contour in the vocal folds during the production of speech--takes much discipline and practice to master at a "normal sounding" rate) but I do use stuttering modification pretty much all the time. I may not always be completely successful (sometimes I will stutter) but my use of prolongations, easy onsets and pullouts, among other things have become ingrained in my speech mechanism since doing American Institute for Stuttering's intensive program in 2001. I also try my best to not avoid words and situations, as you could probably gather from my essay. I've been told I have a forward-moving way of speaking that doesn't hinder my communication despite stuttering, because I don't necessarily "struggle" when I stutter. Hope that is insightful! Thanks! :)