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From: J Scott Yaruss, Univ of Pittsburgh
Date: 03 Oct 2011
Time: 23:27:17 -0500
Remote Name: 72.194.64.133
Hi all - Terrific question and wonderful discussion by my colleagues. I just want to maybe add one thought...a couple of people mentioned how uncomfortable this can be for speakers, and how hard it is to do at times. This is certainly true. I also want to point out, though, that if the clinician is careful to set up the therapy so the client moves toward desensitization and acceptance gradually, then many people can make improvements in their ability to tolerate moments of stuttering. (Remember, acceptance doesn't mean you have to like it - it just means you have to be able to tolerate it.) And, the more progress a person makes in this process of desensitizing to stuttering, the closer they will get to acceptance. Every step in along that hierarchy is a step in the right direction. For some people, it is extremely hard - and as somebody pointed out, those are the ones who need it the most - but each step helps...little by little, people can move toward that goal (and the closer they get, the faster they progress). Thanks again to all for the lovely discussion! S