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From: Pam
Date: 13 Oct 2011
Time: 16:33:17 -0500
Remote Name: 67.248.218.106
Hi Marissa - thanks for the good question. I remember the last time I was in therapy (before I got kicked out!)I had two grad student clinicians so it was a bit awkward. They wanted me to work on voluntary stuttering, which I already knew of, but don't like to do "on command". Isn't that funny? It's fine if I decide to do it, but I didn't like it being suggested. Anyway, they thought going out in the community would be fun. I agreed, only if they would both do it too. They, like you had a hard time.One felt like doing VS as a fluent was too close to "making fun of" someone who really stutters. It was a good experience, because they got to see what it's like and we all discussed the very different reactions. Anyway, yes, I have used it. I almost always voluntary stutter at the start of any presentation I do about stuttering. That helps me a LOT. It breaks the ice right away and any anxiety I might have. It also lends credibility right away, as they know someone who stutters is going to talk about stuttering. But interestingly, I don't always do it for a general presentation, of which I do a LOT. Sometimes I will choose not to, and when I stutter, if it seems approproiate, I might mention it or even use humor. Sometimes, in a real pressure-filled situation, I will hope to be as fluent as possible. Sounds strange, huh, from someone who is so comfortable with stuttering and talking about it? That's the complexity of stuttering - sometimes shame and fear creeps back in ANYWAY and when I am addressing administrators or someone I find might "judge" me, I do sometimes hope for the best and good fluency. But as a rule, yes, Voluntary Stuttering, on my own terms, has been helpful. When I asked the members of my club to try it, they reacted just like kids in school I have asked to try it - varying reactions. "Oh, this is awkward, or hard, or frustrating" Or, "I didn't know". Hope this helps. I was always a tough "client" because I seem to have it together, but sometimes fear and shame pop up, and that needs to be talked about, and SLPs need to be comfortable with that. ~Pam