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

From: J Scott Yaruss, Univ of Pittsburgh
Date: 17 Oct 2011
Time: 18:32:45 -0500
Remote Name: 64.134.65.148

Comments

Hi James -- I'm sorry to hear of your struggles, but as Gary noted, it does take a lot of determination and patience and practice. It sounds like you've down tremendous determination in getting this far - and that will help you carry yourself further. You had asked whether you should let people know that you're using your strategies when you're talking to them. I have known many people who have used this strategy ("purposeful self-disclosure") with great success. Letting people know about your stuttering - and the fact that you're working on in - helps them understand your speech patterns while you are developing more comfort with them and shows people that you have the determination and grit to face and work through your problems. It can be hard to do this at first, so maybe try some easy situation - talking to somebody where you really don't mind if you stutter and they really don't mind if you use a speech management strategy. It can help to go out to a mall or someplace else for your practice, and see what it's like to let people know that you stutter and that you're using your strategies to make it easier for you to say what you want to say. Many people I've done this with find that it's a very freeing experience to "let it out." As you have success in the easy situations, then you'll have an easier time moving into the harder situations like phone calls and job interviews. It's a tough process, as Gary mentioned, but with determination, you can do it! (Consider going out with a friend to do this practice...ideally, another person who stutters who can offer you encouragement even as you offer encouragement back!) It is worth facing your fears - the more you face them, the more you overcome them. You've taken several important steps to help prepare yourself for success... You can do it! Good luck! -Scott


Last changed: 10/22/11