HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF STUTTERING THERAPY

Produced by the National Stuttering Project

Most of us who stutter do not need to be reminded that our speech is tied closely to how others think of us. Speech is the most important means of communicating our emotions, needs, and hopes to our listeners. Much of our opinion of others is determined by our reactions to what and how they are talking. A person who talks as if he/she knows more than others may turn us off. On the other hand, we find it enjoyable to talk with someone who has a friendly, relaxed, and sincere manner of speaking.

Unfortunately, those of us who stutter find our speech frequently gets in the way of this important means of interacting with others. Stuttering can make it difficult for us to demonstrate the exact form or manner of expression we desire in letting others know how we really feel.

So even though many of us have learned over the years to fear speaking and to use all sorts of techniques to avoid talking, we recognize the advantages of gaining control over our stuttering. There are many things we can do to insure that stuttering does not prevent us from achieving what we want out of life. One way to gain control over our stuttering is through speech therapy. And one important key to getting the right kind of therapy is to find a speech-language pathologist who understands the problems faced by people who stutter, and who is experienced in working with those who stutter. But how do we go about finding the right speech-language pathologist? Speech-language pathologists are not equal in their knowledge and understanding of stuttering and its treatment. There are many different speech-language disorders and most clinicians tend to be better with some than others. Some find it easier to work with young children whose language is delayed. Some specialize in speech-language problems associated with brain damage. A few speech-language pathologists have devoted more of their practice to stuttering. Some have been more successful than others in helping their clients improve their fluency and their confidence in speaking. So what are some of the keys to look for in selecting a speech-language pathologist to help us with our stuttering?

ENTERING THERAPY

As you enter the therapy process, here are some general principles to keep in mind:

In short, as one NSP member described it, your speech-language pathologist is a coach. He or she cannot do the work for you, but can be instrumental in the success you have in achieving your goals by providing guidance, support, motivation, and friendship.

A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT STUTTERING THERAPY AT UNIVERSITY CLINICS

It may be that the therapy most readily available and most within your budget is that given at your local university speech clinic. It is good if you can take advantage of these programs, but you should know that:

CHOOSING A CLINICIAN - TWO VIEWS

We have asked two internationally known speech-language pathologists with long records of successful stuttering therapy to give us their views on selecting a speech-language pathologist. Both are long-time members of the National Stuttering Project and have specialized in stuttering treatment throughout their careers.

From Hugo Gregory, Ph.D. Northwestern University

The decision about whom to go to for stuttering therapy is a very important one in terms of a person's time, financial resources, and future plans. Here are some questions that a person who stutters should consider in selecting a prospective clinician.

  1. Does the clinician believe that one general type of program is appropriate for all people who stutter or that therapy must be tailored to fit the particular characteristics of each individual?

  2. Does the therapy program focus mostly on modifying speech or does it emphasize change in thoughts and feelings? Is there a focus on both of these dimensions?

  3. Does treatment include procedures for identification and modification of stuttering or is the emphasis on learning skills for the production of stutter-free speech?

  4. Does the treatment program combine procedures for identifying and modifying stuttering with teaching of skills for building fluency?

  5. Does the clinician arrange for the transfer of learning from the clinical situation to real-life situations? Does the clinician appreciate how much diligence is involved in acquiring modified habits of speaking in situations that have been associated with failure in the past and/or may be difficult for all people, whether they stutter or not?

  6. Does the clinician demonstrate an understanding of the frustration and embarrassment the person who stutters has felt and how these life experiences may influence the person's ability to succeed both in therapy and in life in general?

  7. Is therapy represented as being relatively short term (several weeks or months) or is it described as involving a core period and a follow-up program to assist the person in problem solving and extending the process of change?

  8. Is there an opportunity to communicate with others who stutter about their experiences before therapy, while in therapy, and during follow-up?
From Eugene B. Cooper, Ed.D. University of Alabama

Because the client-clinician relationship is the single most important factor in successful therapy for individuals experiencing the chronic stuttering syndrome, choosing the right clinician us critical to success in therapy.

How can you tell if you've found the right one? From the very beginning of therapy you should feel your clinician is more interested in you as a person than in your stuttering as a clinical problem. If your clinician focuses exclusively on your disfluencies and does not explore with you how those disfluencies affect your whole life, you may have found yourself a technician and what you need is a clinician.

If, from the very start, you don't like and respect your clinician, find another one. You need and deserve a clinician with whom you feel comfortable and with whom you can be open and honest about how you feel, think, and behave. If from the very first time you meet, your clinician doesn't make you feel good about being in therapy, find another.

I am not saying everything should be sweetness and light in therapy. In fact, if it is, probably nothing is happening. But I am saying your clinician should make you feel good about being there.

Research reveals that effective clinicians:

If your clinician does not rate high on every one of these traits, and if he or she does not command your respect, it is time to find a new one. Again, there is nothing more important to success in therapy than your relationship with your clinician. Keep searching until you find a clinician you like and respect and with whom you can be open and honest. When you succeed in finding the right clinician for you, you will have maximized your potential for a positive, productive therapeutic experience.

We would be very happy to assist you in choosing the right program or speech pathologist for you. We can most likely refer you to one near your home.

If you are interested in intensive (residential) programs, we have a list of them here. They are listed in alphabetical order. Contact the programs in which you are interested for information, and then call the NSP office at 1-800-364-1677 in San Francisco and we will share with you what we know about each program, and try to help you decide which one best meets your needs.

INTENSIVE PROGRAMS

Computer Aided Fluency Establishment Training CAFET and Cafet for Kids: Contact Martha Goebel, Annandale Fluency Clinic, 4208 Evergreen Ln. #213, Annandale, VA 22003 (703-941-8903). CAFET is offered in Calgary, Alberta, and in Maryland as well. Contact Annandale for addresses.

The Hollins Communication Research Institute (formerly the Precision Fluency Shaping Program), P.O. Box 9737, Roanoke, VA 24020 (703-362- 6528).Hollin's Precision Fluency Shaping

Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research: 3rd floor, 8220 114 st, Edmonton, Alberta. T6G 2P4 (403-492-2619). Has year-round as well as summer programs for all ages.

Northwestern University Speech and Language Clinic: Contact: Northwestern Univer., Dept. of Communication Sci., 2299 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60208 (708-328-1460).

The Precision Fluency Shaping Program: Contact Ross Barrett, P.O. Box 1980, 855 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, VA 23510 (804-446-5938); or Andriana DiGrande, New England Rehabilitation Hosp., Woburn, MA 01801 (617-935-5050 Ext. 376).

San Francisco State University Center for Fluency Development: Contact Dr. Stanley Goldberg, San Francisco State University, Communicative Disorders, 1600 Holloway Ave., S.F., CA 94132 (415-338-7654).

Total Immersion Fluency Training: Contact Catherine Otto, M.A., 27 West 20th St., Suite #1203, NYC, NY 10011 (212-355-7111).

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Fluency Management Clinic - Intensive summer program. Contact Pat Sacco, 2173 SE Morningside Boulevard, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 (407-335- 1910).

Fluency Training Through Parent Involvement: Contact Dick Mallard, Ph.D. Communicative Disorders Program, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666-4616 (512-245-2344). (Program is in summer and for young people, their parents, and speech pathologists.)

Harold B. Starbuck Memorial Fluency Enhancing Clinics, Geneseo, N.Y. They have a summer program for children and adults. Contact: Kathleen R. Jones, SUNY Geneseo, Dept. of Speech Pathology, Sturges Hall, Geneseo, NY 14454 (716-245-5328).

Speech Camp for Children Who Stutter: Contact Sally Bowman, Ph.D., Otolaryngology Dept., Riley Hosp., A-56, 702 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46223 (317-274-8868).

Successful Stuttering Management Program: Contact Dr. Dorvan Breitenfeldt, Eastern Washington University, Speech Clinic, Cheney, WA 99004 (509-359-2301). They have a three-week summer workshop and a manual of their program you can buy.

Summer Remedial Clinic, Central Michigan University: Contact Suzanne S. Coughlin, Moore Hall, 444, CMU, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 (517-774-3472). For children and young adults.

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND REFERRALS

The Stuttering Foundation of America: P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749 (1-800-992-9392). They have a whole range of wonderful books and other materials on stuttering, and a referral network.

Stuttering Resource Foundation: Contact Ellin Rind, 123 Oxford Rd., New Rochelle, NY 10804 (800-232-4773) They have a referral network.

Speak Easy of Canada: Contact Mike Hughes, 95 Evergreen, St. John, N.B. E2N 1H4 (506-696-6799).

STUTTERING THERAPY DEVICES

For information about Delayed Auditory Feedback, the Edinburg Masker, the Fluency Master, and other devices used in stuttering therapy, please contact the office the National Stuttering Project and we will provide you with whatever information we have.

National Stuttering Project
5100 East La Palma Ave.
Suite 208
Anaheim Hills, CA
92807
800-364-1677
FAX 714-693-7554


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