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Re: How to make the transfer from learning Fluency Shaping in Cli...

From: Gary J. Rentschler
Date: 16 Oct 2011
Time: 09:41:16 -0500
Remote Name: 74.98.204.172

Comments

James... its a very difficult job market out there (you didn't say what type of job you are looking for) and its easy to look inward at your stuttering as being the reason for not yet getting a job. But your question was about transferring your fluency skills in clinic into the real world. This is a challenge for all clients in stuttering therapy, not just for you. One issue I picked out of your post was that you aren't yet comfortable with your controlled fluent speech. Over time two things will happen; your will become more accustomed to your new speech and you will become more confident as a fluent speaker. With more confidence (which comes from the knowledge that stuttering will no longer control you, but you can control it), more natural fluency emerges. As you become more naturally fluent you will be happier and more accepting of your speech. But it takes a great deal of time and practice to get to this point.. it's a process. It sounds like you learned the basic tools to be fluent from the fluency shaping program. Speaking in a controlled manner to earn fluency requires a great deal of discipline and practice... don't take it out on yourself by beating yourself up over this; perhaps thinking about it as people do about a youngster learning how to walk.. the first steps are very awkward and there are usually plenty of falls. But with time and practice they develop the skill... its not always a "pretty process", but you too will get there. I take my clients out and practice in real world settings with them. I use the speech targets that I ask them to use to demonstrate them and show them how to manage people's reactions to controlled fluency too. Sometimes you need to 'buddy up' with someone else to provide you feedback and see things that you yourself cannot see. Go Nike... just do it. Don't give up, don't beat yourself up.. be persistent and determined... you'll find that those are qualities that employers are looking for too. Best of luck.


Last changed: 10/22/11