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From: Lynne Shields
Date: 10/21/03
Time: 9:37:49 AM
Remote Name: 199.217.208.172
Heather,
Good question about advertising. I really believe that the answer varies from person to person. Many of the adult clients whom I have worked with find that letting their listener(s) know early on is a real tension-breaker. It makes them more at ease with their audience, and also sets their listener at ease, as a byproduct. Others decide not to advertise in any way, and just talk about their stuttering if it comes up in conversation. For those who elect to advertise, there are many ways to do it. Some decide to do some voluntary stuttering right away when they first speak, so that it is obvious that they are a person who stutters. Others actually say something about their stuttering. Each person decides what feels most natural for them to say. One man decided to simply say something to the effect, 'I stutter sometimes, so be patient with me!' A teenaged client elected to make a little joke about his speech in some situations to break the ice and let their audience know about their stuttering.
If you do decide to advertise, it isn't necessary to do so every time you talk to someone new. That's a personal decision, as well. Short exchanges on the phone or with a salesperson may not warrant any sort of declaration for some folks, while a situation where you are seated next to an unfamiliar person at a party or speaking to a group in a presentation format may be places to consider advertising.
Hope this gives you some ideas about advertising that may be useful.
Regards,
Lynne