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From: Tim Mackesey
Date: 10/1/03
Time: 7:58:21 PM
Remote Name: 68.211.113.142
Nice contribution, Alan.
When you think about it, a pws who is intentionally holding eye contact when voluntary stuttering or anticipating a block is overlaying a state of confidence over the other. Confidence clearly translates to better speech. Averting eye contact or looking down (kinesthetic/feelings access) during a voluntary stutter would defeat the purpose of the desensitization.
On a side note, in therapy I have always been intrigued by the often sudden jump in fluency when someone looks at themself in the mirror. With absolutely no instruction, many will begin to slow and modify their speech immediately. Obviously, there are a number of cognitive and behavioral things to consider. One 50+ year old adult who's speech fluency increased by atleast 50% said:"I don't want to see myself stutter." He took control of motor movements, rate, breathing, etc to become more fluent. Some will avert eye contact with themselves when they stutter. That is avoidance.
Cheers, Tim