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From: Peter Reitzes
Date: 14 Oct 2005
Time: 13:22:59 -0500
Remote Name: 165.155.128.132
Rachael, thanks for writing. There is no exact science for determining when a person is ready to begin using voluntary stuttering. I have noticed that many (but certainly not all) stutterers need to be at a “rock bottom” point with their stuttering before they are ready to make significant and difficult changes. Unfortunately, many stutterers only become ready for voluntary stuttering during very challenging and difficult times. Let me give you an example. I worked with one gentleman who had turned down a prestigious promotion at work, frequently avoided answering his phone, dreaded going to his weekly staff meetings, and avoided many social engagements such as coffee and lunch with colleagues because he did not want to stutter. While he was not completely covert (most people knew he stuttered), he went to great lengths to avoid stuttering. For example, he refused to ask questions at stores. If he wanted something from behind a counter at a store he would point to it. If he could not point to it, he would go from store to store until he was able to get what he wanted without speaking. This gentleman, in my opinion, was ready for voluntary stuttering. Other people who are not at a “rock bottom” point may also benefit from voluntary stuttering. For example, as I say in my article, stuttering on purpose allows the speaker to practice speech tools in public speaking situations. It is exceedingly common for people who stutter to be able to use speech tools in the therapy room, but they are not able to remember to use the tool in public during “real” moments of stuttering. By stuttering on purpose and then using a speech tool such as a pull-out, the speaker gives himself much needed practice for using speech tools in public. You ask about other “procedures” I use besides voluntary stuttering. In general, I work with clients to help them identify when and how they stutter, to “advertise” (be open and talk about) stuttering, to use speech tools to move forward through speech, and to learn about stuttering in general. I also strongly encourage people who stutter to participate in support organizations so that they can meet and learn from other people who stutter. As a beginning clinician, I recommend that you spend as much time as possible meeting and getting to know people who stutter. Go to a National Stuttering Association or FRIENDS conference and meet people who stutter, their families, and seasoned clinicians. At this time, I am not working on collecting data, but I would hope that any such research would focus on how people who stutter feel about themselves and their abilities to communicate even if they happen to stutter.