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From: Tatyana Exum
Date: 29 Apr 2010
Time: 21:24:59 -0500
Remote Name: 76.106.165.197
An excellent question! I think every one of us may have a slightly different answer - some manifestations of our problems (stuttering/cluttering) may be as unique as we are. Among the common denominators, as Barutti said, are breathing and self-monitoring. However, our life experiences also provided us with unique strategies. Mine were connected with music,Phonetics and interpreting(playing instruments and singing, with the use of metronome developed better breathing patterns, pausing, volume, Phonetics helped with the sound formation and intonation). Spontaneous interpreting _required_ fast rate speech and did not leave any time for fear of block. It worked for both stuttering and clutttering. However, my biggest breakthrough in realizing of the level of my speech problems came through teaching GED class (every subject area - Social Studies, Science, Math, and Language). Teaching students how to write an essay made me realize how disorganized (=mazed) my speech was quite often. I learnt how to channel my thinking and speaking processes (webbing is really helpful). My students are aware of my cluttering and are eager to let me know if my self-monitoring occasionnaly fails under the influence of multiple obligations. There are still some areas I am working on, including overfocusing on the inner "I should have...." statements. I hope that my answer was helpful. I feel that this conference will make your clients feel ensured that they deal with the knowledgable specialist.