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From: Mike Hughes
Date: 10/9/01
Time: 8:33:08 AM
Remote Name: 134.29.30.79
Woody,
Your reply was a perfect example of the "negativism" the questioner cited. You state that the DAF and similar devices "…help only with fluency, of course, not with anything else, and they only help as long as they are worn. There is no continued effect."
That is simply wrong. Not only do these devices help, in many cases - not all, with fluency, but also they help with self-confidence, self-esteem, knowledge of what a stutterer does in trying not to stutter, and other aspects. Despite your statement, there definitely is a continued effect - it is called the "carryover effect" and is well known.
I found wearing such a device to be effective, not too cumbersome, and definitely NOT freaky. It was far less "freaky" than stuttering. It taught me that I WAS capable of speaking more fluently and directed my attention towards "communication" rather than "fluency."
I can see how some of your clients became more effective using your therapy techniques -- due to the positive influence of the electronic devices. They had found out that they WERE capable of increasing their fluency through the devices, and brought this knowledge with them to your therapy. It helped them to implement your techniques.
I've always been puzzled by those therapists who would deny their clients any means to communicate more effectively and thus enjoy life more.
Mike