Faking Stuttering

A few of the blogs I follow and the stuttering community on Face book recently mentioned the episode of “Glee” about a character who stutters. It is a new TV show that started this season about a high school glee club. The members of the glee club are so different, its amazing that collectively they are able to produce beautiful harmony and music together. But that is what makes diversity so important, right?

I tuned in to the series midway, and watched the episode where the character who stuttered revealed that she had actually been faking it for several years so that she could get out of having to do an oral presentation in class. I never expected that. (Of course, having missed the previous episodes, I had no idea what build up, if any, had been given to the stuttering story line). The character in the wheelchair obviously never expected either that she would reveal that she had pretended to stutter. He had thought they were kindred spirits, both sharing a difference. It gave them something special in common, he thought. (You can catch the episode on www.hulu.com -it was the one on 11/18/2009).

I thought about this issue of faking a stutter. I didn’t like that stuttering was portrayed this way in the show. I would have preferred that she really stuttered, so that we could have a popular television show include a positive portrayal of stuttering. I watched the show this week, and heard the character sing. She was remarkable, and it would have been great to have that story line play out, as many people who stutter can sing beautifully without stuttering. Interestingly, no mention was made at all about her having revealed her fake stuttering.

This character obviously used voluntary stuttering to make it seem she really stuttered. Hers was very mild. I have also used voluntary stuttering, but to advertise my stuttering and as a desensitization tool. So, another way to use voluntary stuttering? I wouldn't recommend it!

As I reflected more on “faking it”, I realized that I was doing the exact same thing for many years with my covert stuttering. I was trying to fake being fluent, so that I could pass myself off as something I was not. Even now, I still find myself faking it sometimes. Meaning that in some situations, I will not disclose that I stutter. Especially if I am having a very fluent day, or more importantly, it is a situation where I feel I will be judged negatively if I let the “stuttering me” out. Wait a minute! Is that the same thing? Is that faking it, or is it just me managing my stuttering so I will be comfortable in certain situations?

Giving Yourself Permission to Change

I had a really great meeting last week in therapy. One of the graduate SLP students that I am working with this semester took a big risk and and confronted me on something that I have been struggling with. That's why it is SO important to have a "right relationship" with your client, so that risks and important discussions can happen.

Just as a covert stutterer has to give herself permission to stutter openly, we also have to give our selves permission to change.

Check out this video. I talk about what I learned, how significantly it impacted me and how change is a process, a life long one that we MUST be open to.

Link to video! Let me know what you think! (feel free to rate the video too - the star system).

Doing What I Thought I Couldn't

One of the things that I had always wanted to do was teach. But I thought I couldn't because of stuttering. When choosing a career path in college, I remember thinking that teaching was out of the question. It would require too much talking and who would want to hear a stutterer? So I chose a field that I thought would entail less talking- social work. Well, it didn't quite turn out to be less talking, because as we know, social workers/counselors talk to people every day. I had thought that at least I wouldn't have to stand up in front of groups and talk, and risk stuttering.

Now, some twenty years later, I am doing exactly what I thought I could never do, and in a way, I am teaching. I consider myself to be very lucky. I have put myself in a position to be talking to different groups about the stuttering experience and acceptance. And I really love doing it. It is a way for me to give and do volunteer work about something I am passionate about. Over the last two years, I have facilitated several workshops and presentations on acceptance of stuttering and how we can manage it in our lives. Something I never would have dreamed was possible. And I don't have to be a certified teacher to teach.

Two weeks ago, I helped to present a 6 hour workshop to speech language pathologists, with two other people who stutter (Dr. Klein was one of them). Our workshop covered therapy approaches for pre-school and older kids and teens, and adult considerations. I covered the section on adult issues and spent considerable time discussing covert stuttering. There were over 120 SLPs in attendance,and we received excellent feedback about our presentation. The day proved that there needs to be a partnership between professionals and people who live the stuttering experience.

Two days ago, I participated in a NSA Youth Day in Syracuse NY. I volunteered to present a workshop for parents. As it turned out, me and my friend Joe (Klein) actually co-facilitated the presentation for a group that included both parents, students and professional SLPs. This was one of the most moving experiences I have had. We talked about stuttering being OK and acceptance. Parents shared their worries and fears and their hopes for their kids. Some shared that this was their first experience talking openly about stuttering, and hearing adults who stutter do so freely. Parents commented that they wished they had knew about resources like this long ago.

Some parents openly showed emotion throughout, and especially when we had everyone practice voluntary stuttering. For some parents, it was the first time they had experienced what their child experienced. Two moms who had just met practiced voluntary stuttering with each other and both were visibly moved and teary eyed. They felt a powerful connection. We then finished with having everyone try a Chinese finger trap and feel how it feels to get stuck during a block. It was a good way to end the adult workshop. We had all shared powerful emotional moments with each other. I felt very proud and honored to be a part of that with my friend Joe and new friends from Syracuse.

The kids joined the adults as we concluded the day and shared with us what they had worked on during their workshop. Some of these kids had NOT wanted to be at this workshop. Their parents had strongly encouraged them to come. The kids made a video of what its' like to stutter in public and get made fun of. It was amazing to see this, and listen as the kids excitedly answered questions about how they worked together to act this out. The kids were grinning from ear to ear. They had learned something about their own stuttering on this sunny Saturday. And the looks of pride on the adult faces was unmistakable.

A mom came up to me as we were leaving and asked if it was OK to give me a hug. She said she always thought it was her job to fix her kid. She said she feels relief to know that acceptance can be part of her job too. My eyes welled up along with hers.

Yep, it was a great way to spend a Saturday. I feel lucky to be a part of something I never thought I could do. All the smiles and tears will stay with me for a long time.

Covert Stuttering

Just had a quick conversation with a Twitter friend from UK who is experiencing discomfort as she comes out of the covert closet. Covert stuttering is near and dear to my heart, as I was an expert at hiding my stutter from the world. Lisa has been doing that too, for many years. But she is now taking small steps towards being more open and letting herself Be who she is.

She asked tonight, "Where do I belong, covert or overt? Cause there's no place in between, help. Feeling lost!"

I so know that feeling, being caught between two worlds. Like you don't fit in with the people who stutter openly and can't hide it even if they tried. And you don't fit in with fluent speakers either. So you feel lost, sort of in a nowhere place.

Professionals who will work with coverts really need to understand how emotionally complex this can feel. You feel no one understands. Lisa is experiencing growth in leaps and bounds, but it is also scary. Very scary, because it feels like you are abandoning the person you knew for someone you haven't met yet.

I talked about the covert stuttering experience at a workshop I did earlier in the week with Dr Klein and another SLP who stutters, Steve Marchant. A lot of the SLPs in the audience were incredulous that coverts can so well hide their stuttering and be so good at passing as fluent.

A fellow PWS who is also a current member of Fluency Council wrote a great piece on covert stuttering for this month's council newsletter. In it, he describes covert stuttering as a perfectly acceptable management technique towards more fluent speech. He does not believe it is hiding at all. He likens covert stuttering to wearing eye glasses if you need to correct your vision or a hearing aide if you are deaf. He simply substitutes feared words for easier words to correct his stuttered speech.

I know where my friend Lisa is coming from. It can be lonely and scary confronting what you have denied for years. Stuttering is not just stuttered speech.

What do you think? How would you advise Lisa?

Being Around People Who Stutter

Just a quick note . . . . . I have a good friend that I used to work with about two years ago. We keep in touch more now that we don't work together than when we saw each other every day at work. She was always very comfortable with my stuttering in the work place, and would ask me questions sometimes, like did my stuttering vary or increase according to certain circumstances.

I remember one time she commented to me (and prefaced it with, "no offense intended"), after being with you for a while, I notice that I stutter a little bit for a day or two afterwards. It also reminded me of when I myself have visited Southern states - Louisiana or Texas - that for a day or two afterwards, I find myself speaking with a bit of a southern drawl! What's up with that?

At first, I didn't know what to make of her mentioning that my stuttering was "rubbing off on her", but then I just laughed, because it was kind of funny. And I actually noticed her stutter a bit sometimes after hanging out with me.

What do you think? Do you think its possible that someone can "pick up"another's stuttering? Do you think a person who stutters might be offended by this? Or think they are being made fun of?

Addressing Fear Through Meditation: Zen and Stuttering

I recently read this article written by Stefan Bogdanov, who was born in Bulgaria and started to stutter by the age of three years. Stefan is also a member of the Toastmasters Club and felt that connecting with the audience and being himself would help with his public speaking. He experienced a life crisis at the age of 25 and was in search of a solution to alleviate anxiety that he felt with stuttering and public speaking. He was ultimately influenced by John Harrison's article, "Zen in the art of speaking" which focuses on mindfullness meditation and achieving effortless, fluent speech. In addition, he practiced Vipassana or mindfulness Buddhist meditation which also concentrates on breathing and focuses on ones thoughts and feelings. He writes that some of the activities would include meditating for periods of no longer than 25-30 minutes to avoid potential strain. The goal of meditation is to help with ones behavioral management, that is approaching fears and anxiety associated with speaking. He believes that an individual who stutters should not resort to this form of practice with the expectation that stuttering will be entirely removed. Rather, he feels that an individual can change their attitudes and feelings associated with stuttering through meditation. He writes that meditation also allows him to concentrate on life "from moment to moment" and referred to the Zen saying "Spontaneity is the only truth."

The question that I presented to him was whether or not Zen meditation had a direct or indirect effect on his fluency. In other words, because of a reduced fear of speaking, was he fluent or was it that it helped him with the covert phase of stuttering? He responded that meditation allowed him to focus on mindfulness and on the whole self which is a long term process. He also talks about how it helps reduce fears that a block may occur when producing a /t/ or /p/ sound. As we talked about in class, the covert theory states that an individual has difficulty with the monitoring of sounds before the articulation phase. I also wanted to get his thoughts on interactions with other kids in Bulgaria. He responded that they were understanding and he was not teased. He also does believe that more efforts and attention should to meditation as part of an SLP education.

This article is very interesting and offers another perspective for treatment. However, there are many forms of meditation so I am not sure how convincing this form of meditation is with removing fear and anxiety. Also, interestingly he indicates in the end of the paper that he still has some fear with public speaking and that stuttering may occur. This is a form of behavioral management that helped him to some degree but may not necessarily be effective for others.

Changing Attitudes in Children and Teens who Stutter

“Changing Attitudes in Children and Teens who Stutter” by Diane Games

I chose to read an article about changing the attitudes of those who stutter. With in the field of stutter is an area of concern that continues to grow. Many children and teens who stutter have been discouraged by comments from their peers. Often when they experience difficulty communicating this helps contribute to the negative attitudes. No two clients move through the process the same way, but several types of treatment activities appear to help facilitate attitude change. Five of these activities were discussed in this article.

1. Learn the vocabulary to describe stuttering
2. Learn to analyze and problem solve approaches to various speaking situations, ie. what happens during these difficult speaking situations.
3. Understand the impact of negative thinking on attitudes while speaking in different situations and transfer negative thoughts into positive ones
4. Tell your story
5. Meet other people who stutter

This article talks about using these techniques and creating a powerpoint presentation to describe and talk about their stutter. Using these powerpoints to then share with other people who stutter, their family and even their friends has been found helpful to everyone involved.

I asked the author: “I found your article both interesting and informative. I found, as a Speech language pathologist, your ideas for ways to help children not only realize and express their attitudes/feelings about stuttering were not only helpful, but also easy enough to put into therapy sessions, as I have not yet worked with a person who stutters. I am wondering at what age you suggest these techniques would work? and do you think sharing the information the child develops with his or her guardians may also be helpful to everyone involved (with the child's consent of course). Thank you for you time :)”

And receive the answer back: “Thanks for the great questions...however,every client is an individual. I try to listen to what the kids are telling me about their speech and also what the parents are saying. The general edcuation about talking/stuttering often starts the diaglogue. My students are used to sharing ppts with other students...this is also a learning component. As for the age, it really depends on the child...and I do share these ppts with parents as part of the education process. I have never had a student refuse to share..in fact, students feel empowered to give add ideas and comments, to alter the slides and to update their thoughts/information. Good luck...:)”

I found this article very helpful and full of wonderful ideas that can be easily implemented into therapy.

Voluntary Service to Help People Who Stutter in Cameroon, Africa

by Samatha Jansen

This article focuses mostly on Canadian Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), Mr. Gordon Skinner and his contribution to the stuttering community in Cameroon. In the country of Cameroon, with a population of 16 million people and given that one percent of any given population is made up of People who Stutter (PWS), it would be expected that approximately 160,000 people stutter. However, the prevalence rate in Cameroon may be as high as 5 percent. The Speak Clear Association of Cameroon (SCAC) was created to bring hope to the people who stutter in Cameroon and this is a national self-help movement.
Mr. Skinner began his visit by organizing intensive therapy sessions for 12 adults who stutter, with a focus on slow easy talking (set). Remarkable progress was made that was recorded during the sessions as some of the participants who had difficulties saying their names at the start of the sessions could speak without much stuttering at the end of the sessions. In addition to offering speech therapy for PWS, workshops for teachers and health professionals were offered. Mr. Skinner also spoke on a television broadcast, where he spoke out against making fun of people who stutter because comedians on the television show were poking fun at stuttering right before he went on air.
I initially wanted to know why the author, Joseph Lukong, thought the prevalence rates were higher in Cameroon. This question had been answered previously, but I would still like to share the author’s explanation. He stated that it “was difficult to say,” but that “higher rates of stuttering have also been reported in some of the tribes in West Africa.” Therefore, it is not only in Cameroon that prevalence is higher in Africa. He felt that this may be an important subject for research and speculated that it may have something to do with ethnic origin, culture, climate or the food they eat. The question I asked Mr. Lukong was if there were other therapy techniques used besides the slow easy talking. He responded by saying other techniques were taught, although he didn’t mention which kinds. However, he stated that most of the emphasis was placed on slow easy talking, as the time was relatively short to cover all techniques in detail. They also used support group meetings when practicing their tools.
I believe that this article is relevant to our fluency class because it helps us to understand how diverse stuttering is and shows the influence that therapy can have in just a short amount of time. This article also provides encouragement to those who wish to work or volunteer abroad in countries that do not have a great amount of access to therapy.

What Marty Jezer Taught Me About Counseling

by Kristen Van Hage

I recently read the article, What Marty Jezer Taught Me About Counseling People Who Stutter by Lisa Vadnie (Minnesota, USA) and Marty Jezer (deceased). The article was all about Marty Jezer and his opinion as a person who stuttered about the emotional side of stuttering and what he would want from a therapist to help him the most. Ms Vadnie chose special excerpts from Marty Jezer’s book that best highlighted the feelings and emotions that a speech pathologist may need to address during therapy. In his book Mr. Jezer spoke about when he would use avoidance to steer clear of having to stutter when saying a word he thought he might stutter on, or taking a long time to talk to a girl that he had an interest in. Mr. Jezer also believed that his stuttering impacted his ability to get a job. He let his stuttering impact him when getting a job because he limited his possibilities when he thought that the job he had in mind would not be suitable for a person who stutters. He also talked about how he thought that employment agencies did not want to provide him with employment. He made the statement, “ I went through the motions of job hunting with no confidence that I'd ever land a job.” He brought up the feeling of denial that he would tell people that his stuttering did not bother him but after lying he would feel ashamed. Mr. Jezer brought up the feeling of fear. His fear of talking and fear of what a communication partner might think of him. Perhaps the most interesting point that he brought up was that he did not like to voluntarily stutter because he knew who he was when he was stuttering but not when he was trying to stutter.
The article went on to discuss the critical clinical attributes that clinicians should have when working with people who stutter. This article was wonderful because it gave the reader another person’s opinion on the important factors of stuttering therapy. Reading about Marty Jezer’s experience was a great way to see what the client wants when providing therapy for a person who stutters. The article made crystal clear to the reader that there is so much more to fluency therapy than helping an individual to be more fluent. The needs of the client must be first and foremost in the therapy along with attitudes and feelings.
I asked the author, “I was just wondering in your professional opinion which of Mr. Jezer's important clinician attributes is the most important, which is the most helpful for clients?” She has yet to respond to me but the one that I felt was the most important was that the therapy be client centered.

Stuttering: Falling through a hole in the academic web?

by Sarah Ettorre

Grant Meredith is studying engagements of stuttering students in Australian universities with the schools’ disability services. At this point he is focusing on the accessibility and content of the information that potential students are able to find on the websites of 39 universities that can support them into and through academia. One point of his was to find out whether each site contained the direct contact details for the disability liaison officers. He found that each site offered a range of methods to contact the DLOs (phone, email, postal, etc.), an important option for people who may not wish to use the telephone. An issue he found was that about half of the schools did not provide the specific name of a DLO. This can be problematic for stutterers, as searching for a name or not knowing who to speak with can add another later of anxiety and pressure to a situation that they may already find challenging.
Another major issue investigated in this article was whether universities offered public access to any type of guides that provide staff with information concerning the teaching as assessment of disabled- especially stuttering or speech-impaired- students. Though half of the universities did provide access to disability related teaching information, most were not accessible to the general public, and were concerned with popular disabilities (hearing impairment, mobility, mental health, etc.). Disappointingly few of the sites had any information specifically on speech impaired students, including stuttering. What little was provided was very general in content, relatively short, and not well thought out. Many of the strategies for speech impaired students were general teaching strategies should in place to benefit all students, for example ``maintain eye contact``. A simple `Google` search provided the few strategies that were offered, often verbatim. The author was sorely disappointed to discover how little effort is being put into providing the public, potential and current students, and faculty with potentially valuable information from people whose job it is to disseminate such information. Meredith finishes off with a push for such education about stuttering to come from stutterers themselves. He feels being proactive in matters of education, and presenting information to various disability services is the best way to raise awareness, understanding and to formulate strategies for assistance.
The comment I posed to Grant Meredith was that disabilities liaison officers may not be the best people in most universities to advise about certain 'disabilities'. Many universities have undergraduate and graduate programs specializing in speech disorders and/or speech-language pathology. My query was whether these departments’ students and faculty should be involved in disseminating the appropriate information to potential students and teaching staff. It could be made into a special project for the students, and linked to the university's disability services site. This would keep the information provided current and hopefully not blindly taken from other sites.
His response was that the idea of getting SLPs, associated departments and students to disseminate information is a great idea, but may difficult to coordinate. He posed the question back....Are there a lot of programs specializing in speech disorders and/or speech-language pathology that teach and know a lot about stuttering? Direction has to come from those most educated and currently up to date in the field. I guess that is why I preach that PWS themselves should be more pro-active about education the public and the decision makers in the world. An international program of mass stuttering awareness and education to all sectors is called for.

Using Stories to Teach Fluency Strategies to Young Children

I loved this idea! This book is a graet way to incorporate fluency strategies while at the same time working on pragmatic skills. In everyday life we are always in a rush, to speak rapidly and we often don't give people enough time to finish their thoughts and ideas. This book seemed to be very helpful in reducing the rate of speech while teaching techniques in pausing and phrasing. Also the pictures that are used are very animating and really keep a child involved instead of working with an SLP just on repetitions of pausing and phrasing techniques. These strategies will help kids to look at other things they may read or mark in their reading when they get in older grades such as presentations or class projects. It's a great way to help many children boost their self confidence and be home active at home and in the school environment.

My questions were, what age level did the author think this book was appropriate for? and also did the author have any other books with different characters or story lines. The author said this book was apporpirate for ages 2-8. The author is working on other stories that will target negative reactions of stuttering, another that target reduced tension and many other topics. They are available on mcspeechbooks.com

“How Beliefs and Self-Image can Influence Stuttering”, By Alan Badmington

I choose to read the article, “How beliefs and Self-Image can Influence Stuttering”, By Alan Badmington. Within this article Alan stresses the importance of developing a positive self-image, as what one believes about his/her self significantly influences behaviors and emotions.

In order to initiate change, one has to highlight the areas in which they are holding back. Alan stated that while developing a positive self-image is a gradual process, it begins with exploring your belief system and the blue-print you have created of yourself. This exploration begins by looking at what you consider to be your failures and success, strengths and weaknesses, as well as your competency and worth. When you can identify the flaws within this blue-print, you can begin to change/adapt your belief system.

One of the components that Alan discusses in order to help with the development of a positive self-image is the use of visualization. To apply visualization Alan created a visual image of the desired behaviour to improve performance. For example, Alan would imagine the upcoming event, visualize himself doing the presentation, and then ingrain in himself that he had done an excellent job. This process was used as a way to reduce or eliminate the fear of stuttering in specific situations. I found this interesting as I had never thought of using visualization techniques with a fluency client. I think it would be an extremely useful technique to use with individuals who have anxieties about upcoming events/situations. You can not only help the client to develop a positive mindset, but also assist them with identify areas in which they may have difficulties and strategies or techniques they can implement (e.g., easy-onset) to guide themselves if they do experience a problem.

Alan’s discussion on the development of a positive-self image addressed the importance of discussing attitudes and feelings in the therapy setting. Using the Synergistic approach in fluency therapy can help clinicians target all areas of need. I think attitudes and feelings are extremely important to address in the therapy setting as without a strong sense of self and the belief that you are able to succeed, progress in treatment would be slow and limited. This article would be beneficial to show to clients to clients of all ages, as it stresses the importance of coming to terms with your stuttering and ways in which you can do so.

I asked Alan for strategies or tips that he would recommend in order to encourage client’s to discuss attitudes and feelings. I have not heard back yet, but will be sure to post his answer.

"Things I learned in Therapy" by Pam Mertz

I chose to read the article, “Things I learned in Therapy”, by Pamela Mertz. I highly recommend this article to everyone in this class as well as other student clinicians and SLP’s. The topics that Pam highlighted in this article are things that clinicians need to keep in mind when working with individuals who stutter. In this article, Pam stresses the importance of the “right” client/clinician relationship. The relationship that we build with our clients will directly impact their progress in therapy and our success as clinicians. We must start out on a good foot and take the time that is necessary to build a bond with our client, before we can even begin to try to tackle the observed behaviors.
As clinicians, we must also be open and accepting of stuttering, as many of our clients will be struggling with this issue as well. As we learn in class, we must have fun with stuttering, get it out in the open, and get rid of that stigma that surrounds subjects that are just not talked about. We also must be willing to stutter ourselves if this is what we will ask of our client. How could we ask them to do something that we would not be willing to try? Our goals must follow the client’s goals. They need to be meaningful to the client in order to increase motivation. Goals should not be based on required clock hours or good data collection. This is a person we are working with and their life is in our hands! We must be open and honest with our clients, as this will help to build a good relationship. If we are inexperienced with an area, we should let the client know and ask for help, as we can learn just as much from the client as they learn from us. Lastly, we must know when and how to push the client to the next level in order for them to feel successful. It is important for the client to feel successful in therapy for them to keep coming back.
I asked Pam if she thought the key points that she learned in therapy applied for the children in the program, as well as adults. She thinks that these things are important for older children, teens, and adults. She added that she is not the “typical fluency client”, who wants to work on strictly fluency. Also, most parents of children who stutter will want to see more structured and goal oriented therapy. When I asked her for some tips to help build a strong relationship between clinician and client, she pointed out that a client clinician relationship should be a mutual give and take, built upon healthy rapport. The clinician should be authentic, attend to client needs, and not focus too much on data collection.
Overall, it was a great article, especially for those of us who will be participating in fluency council. I highly recommend everyone reads it!

Changing Attitudes in Children and Teens Who Stutter, by Diane Games

The article I read was called Changing Attitudes in Children and Teens Who Stutter, by Diane Games. This article aimed to make the reader understand that working on attitudes and feelings with children and teens who stutter is a crucial part of therapy. It provided the following steps to doing so:

1. Learning vocabulary to describe stuttering, the speech process and techniques to modify rate and tension
2. Learn to analyze and problem solve approaches to various speaking situations
3. Understand the impact of negative thinking on attitudes while speaking in difficult situations; transfer negative thoughts into positive ones
4. Tell your story! Read stories of other children/teens!
5. Meet other people who stutter!

Mrs. Games describes activities and procedures that help children gain control over their stuttering, such as creating PowerPoint presentations where they can share their information with others. The students who work with Mrs. Games are encouraged to bring in positive thoughts and feelings associated with their stuttering and in communication in general. This is in direct correlation to what we’ve learned class. It is based upon the idea that the more comfortable a person who stutters is with their stuttering, the less tension they will have in conversation therefore decreasing their stuttering. One thing Games suggests is that tension makes it harder for the child to use the strategies they learn in therapy. This seemed to me like a great way to explain to children how anxiety can affect their speech. She also says if there is tension, it “Makes avoiding seem like a good idea!”(Games, 2009). She seems very skilled at knowing how to communicate with children and teens on a level that they will understand and benefit from. In discussing with children ways to improve their speech, Mrs. Games includes a PowerPoint slide with a picture of a magician saying “Call a magician?”, which is a fun way to get the message across that it is the children who have control over changing their communication.

When I wrote to Mrs. Games, I asked her whether she uses the PowerPoint activity with a group or in individual sessions and how the final product is presented. I also asked her what she would do if a child was resistant to meeting other children who stuttered, and continually refused this. She began her response with this: “Melissa..first of all, I spent a lot of time at St. Rose with my dear friends Sr. Char Bloom and Donna Cooperman! You have a wonderful program.” She continued on to say that the PowerPoints are usually used in individual treatment sessions so no one is influenced by others, and that it is the students’ option to share. She said if they are resistant, at least we have opened the door for communication. Some children may simply not be ready to take this step even though we think it is right for them.

In conclusion, attitudes and feelings should be a main focus in stuttering therapy with children and teens. Mrs. Games introduces and exciting teaching tool to use in therapy that can help children gain control over their speech. I would recommend anything Diane games writes as it seems she has the same philosophy as our program does in working with clients. This article was interesting and gave me some great ideas for therapy.

"How Beliefs and Self-Image Can Influence Stuttering"

Recently I read the article, "How Beliefs and Self-Image can Influence Stuttering" by Alan Badmington, in which Alan discusses how he recognized the ways in which his behaviors were directly linked to his poor self-image. I also contacted Alan and asked him to expand a bit of his reprogramming and the techniques he used to create positive change. Alan explained that he began to actively change his self-concept in 2000; he asked himself "to identify the roles that [he] wished [he] could fulfill had [he] not stuttered" (A. Badmington, personal communication, October 17, 2009). His admiration for those who can be successful in speaking publicly initially sparked his quest for change-- he began by joining public speaking clubs. He was able to acknowledge how his feelings of fear and guilt regarding his stuttering had limited the way he lived his life and, thus, narrowed his self-image. His increased awareness of why he desired to "hide" his stuttering (and himself) from the world, and that he didn't want to continue this behavior, allowed him to take charge of his life and create positive change. Specifically, he wrote about his ability to change through visualizing positive events; this allowed him to trick his subconscious into believing that he already lived through positive experiences in various situations he faced (or desired to face one day). He explained in both his article and in his response to my question, that he convinced himself that he already encompassed the qualities that he desired to attain and successfully used such attributes- according to Alan, "These positive images [obtained through creative visualization] eliminated anticipatory fear, allowing [him] to enter speaking situations with immense confidence" (personal communication, October 17, 2009). Alan also stated that he also used positive affirmations to re-build his self-image. Statements such as "I am a confident speaker in any situation" and "I am able to deal with whatever challenge life presents" was a positive technique Alan used to reprogram his self-image and existing belief system. Due to such strategies, Alan built his confidence and is now able to face opportunities, such as speaking in front of an audience, among many other situations that were at one point "impossible." This article was immensely inspiring, though I recognize that these strategies, though they were extremely successful for Alan, may require to be accompanied by other forms of therapeutic techniques for others. I recommend this article to everyone!

"Stuttering: The Rest of the Story."

I read the article titled, “Stuttering: The Rest of the Story”, by Bobby L. Childers II. The article described Bobby’s personal experience dealing with his stuttering, or “lack of speech”, as he liked to call it. He discussed how his early experiences with speech therapy were unsuccessful. Bobby had no friends and thought of himself as a “loner.” He found it “easier not to talk to anyone” and existed this way well into his forties. He graduated high school and then decided to attend community college. He dropped out of college because he couldn’t handle talking to people. Bobby sought jobs that allowed him to speak minimally and have little outside interaction with people. Bobby finally went back to speech therapy classes when he attended college for the second time in the year 2000. A college professor suggested that he go to the speech and hearing center on campus. On Bobby’s first visit he felt the student SLP changed his whole perspective on his stuttering. He explained how she treated him “like a real person.” With the student SLP’s help, Bobby was able to give his first public speech since grade school. The student SLP that Bobby worked with provided him with “real world” experiences that helped him confront his stuttering. For example, they ordered food together and he talked with people that he tried to avoid. Bobby suggests to all SLP’s that you treat your clients as friends and try to provide them with many real world experiences. I felt his story was a positive message for graduate student SLP’s on how you can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Just by being real and genuine towards your clients you can help them feel good about themselves.
I would recommend any graduate SLP read this article to realize the life changing effect that we can have on people. I was so moved by this article and it was written from the heart.
The question I asked Bobby was: Dear Bobby- Reading your article confirmed why I decided to go into Speech as a profession. I was so touched by your kind words regarding Graduate Students working with people who stutter. I have one question for you. Do you ever wish that you had your positive experience working with a graduate student earlier in your life? I only wished that you did so you didn't keep living in shame about your stuttering. Don't you feel like you have missed out on so many years? Thank you again for commending how graduate student SLP's affect people who stutter in a positive, life-changing way!
Bobby’s response to my question: Rachel: Hindsight is always 20-20, and wishing that something in your past had been different is of no practical use. I’m not really sure that I missed out on much growing up. My stuttering only increased my natural tendencies to be left alone, it did not cause it. I’ve probably used my stuttering as an excuse for my “lone-wolf” attitude much more than I should have. I will admit that when I was younger, especially in my teenage years, I was ashamed of my speech, but now it’s more frustration at not being able to convey what I want to say. Frustration is the reason I took up writing because when I write I don’t stutter and I can then express myself. I just very, very seldom ever let anyone read what I wrote because it allows people see a part of me that I have tried to keep “out of sight” for years. I do hope though that other people who stutter have the opportunity to work with graduate SLP students. The students are always so eager to try out their new skills and test their knowledge that it tends to infect the client with the same optimism. I know a couple of times with my student SLP’s I had the urge to place a large heavy rock on their heads to keep them from bouncing out of their chairs. Their enthusiasm carried over into me and changed my attitude towards my speech for the better. If I could make a wish and it be granted, it would be that all PWS’s have the chance to work with students at least for a while. Both parties benefit because the client gets to see themselves through the student’s eyes and the student get insight as to how a PWS’s mind considers their stuttering. I am very grateful for the student SLP’s that helped me, and I hope that I was able to help them in their careers just a little bit.

Changing attitudes in Children Who Stutter

I chose to read the article titled “Changing the Attitudes in Children Who Stutter.” I picked this article because I believe it is very important to have a good understanding of the child’s attitudes and ways to help them form more positives ones about themselves. The article was extremely helpful and provided some great tips when working with a child who stutters. Here are some of them:
1. First: Learn vocabulary to describe stuttering, the speech process and techniques to modify rate and tension.
2. Second: Learn to analyze and problem solve approaches to various Speaking Situations
3. Third: Understand the impact of negative thinking on attitudes while speaking in difficult situations; transfer negative thoughts into positive ones.
4. Fourth: Tell Your Story; Read the stories of other children/teens!
5. Fifth: Meet other people who stutter
I asked the author what she would do when working with a child who was hesitant to open up and talk about stuttering. Here is her response: “Great question...sometimes clients are not ready for what you (as a clinician) may think is best. I really try to listen to what the client is saying and thinking. Then explore those issues. Sometimes, I suggest some activities. This is one reason that I generally start with some discussion of the various aspects of stuttering. The powerpoints often help as the client is responding to another person's feelings/comments.”
I thought that her response was very insightful and definitely came from a place of experience and knowledge. It made me realize that just because I may think it is best to be open and talk about feelings and attitudes related to stuttering, the child may not. This may be a very sensitive subject that they have a difficult time talking about and I need to be aware of this and give them the space they need to feel comfortable to eventually talk about it. I will always try to refer back to this when working with a child who stutters.

Changing Attitudes in Children & Teens who Stutter

The article I read, titled, "Changing Attitudes in Children & Teens who Stutter looks at the specific strategies to help change the attitudes or negative judgments children and teens have on their stuttering. The article lists five important treatment activities/strategies to incorporate when working with young adults and children who stutter. The strategies/activities/approaches were:
1. Learn vocabulary to describe stuttering, the speech process and techniques to modify rate and tension
2. Learn to analyze and problem solve approaches to various speaking situations
3. Understand the impact of negative thinking on attitudes while speaking in difficult situations; transfer negative thoughts into positive ones
4. Tell your story; Read the stories of other children/teens!
5. Meet other people who stutter

I found these strategies to be particularly helpful in seeing the counseling aspect of fluency and in seeing how to modify negative attitudes towards stuttering. When I came upon strategy # 2, I did not think of fluency as thinking of ways to problem solve to various speaking situations. In this part of therapy the client identifies the difficult places and situations in which they speak and then they develop a hierarchy of difficulty and come up with ways to manage and analyze changes while speaking in these situations. I also found it interesting that time pressure and avoidance are key aspects to address when coming up with ways to manage stuttering in difficult situations. I posed a couple of questions to the author. I asked the author how she approaches parents of the children who stutter in terms of ways they can help their child accept their stuttering. I wanted to know how you can help parents look at stuttering in a positive light? I also asked about the Behavior Assessment Battery that was mentioned in the article. I wondered how this battery measured the child's behavior and perception of their stutter. The author responded by saying that the Behavior Assessment Battery is a published test that addresses a number of areas that are relevant to communication. She said that measuring attitudinal change is important over time and that she sees gradual changes in attitudes on this type of test. The author also explained she works with parents in private practice in that the parents are bringing in their kids so it gives their kids the opportunity to explain what they have done in treatment and how to see stuttering in a positive way. I think this article was worth reading because it brought up ways of treating the attitudes of stutterers in both children up through teens and into adulthood. The article also provided links to related activities and information on each strategy/approach. All of these strategies are very helpful in modifying the negative feelings and attitudes.

A Stutterer's Pain

So by now, most of you know that I also write on another blog. Mostly I reflect on attitudes and feelings about the covert experience. I do consider myself more covert than overt, although that balance is steadily tipping more towards overt everyday.

I have recently invited friends to share some of their stuttering experiences on my blog. The most recent guest blogger's story generated a LOT of interest, discussion and comments.

I really can't offer much insight on the experience of severe stutterers. But, I do think that all of us who stutter can relate to the core feelings of shame, fear and pain at some point in our journeys, regardless of severity.

So, I invite you to read Adam's story here. It is poignant, emotional and raw, and opens your eyes to the pain of some people who stutter. Adam wrote to me one night last week, and his words so struck me, that I asked for his permission to share his story.

Please, let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or on the other blog, or both!

Apologizing For Stuttering

I wrote up a piece about apologizing for stuttering on my other blog (yeah, I stay pretty busy and love to write). I wanted to write about it based on a conversation I had with a friend who stutters who was describing to me a tough speech day he had, experiencing long blocks when in a conversation with his Professor. My friend told me he said "I'm sorry" after the blocking moment.

I asked him about that, and we had a lengthy conversation about why we apologize, and how sometimes saying "I'm sorry" doesn't mean an apology at all.

This post generated some good responses. Please take a look, by clicking on the title of this post. I would be interested in what you think! You may run across this with future clients who stutter.

Working on Blocks

In the three years I have been attending therapy here at St Rose, I have always been somewhat resistant to learning and practicing techniques. I have always said to myself: "that's not me, its unnatural, I don't like how I sound, it takes too long, etc." Most of that is true for me. I am a fast paced person, fast thinker, fast talker, always two steps ahead. (That probably comes from years of scanning ahead in conversations, so I could choose words that I would not stutter on!)

I am pretty certain now that my resistance has come from the need to accept myself fully as a person who stutters. I am sure you have heard that in class. That clients receiving therapy for stuttering very often need to work on acceptance - either simultaneously with fluency targets or before attempting fluency work.

I am probably as close as I am ever going to get with acceptance. I am comfortable with my relaxed, easy stuttering. For the most part, it is forward moving, and my stuttering does not impede my communication.

I do not like the blocking that I have been doing more and more of. I have tried to even deny that's whats going on, but it is what is happening. I am getting stuck, because my breathing pattern is off. So, momentous for me, I have AGREED to work on identifying moments of blocked speech, getting a feel for whats happening in the block, and finding ways to get out of it.

I am doing this with the two grad student clinicians I am working with this semester.

This is huge for me. I have consistently resisted working on speech tools. Maybe now I'm ready. Stay tuned - I will report here how this goes over the next weeks. We are going to record some conversations so that we all can see where my tension is when I block! Cool!

Secondary Behaviors

Hi Everyone,
You can click on the title "Secondary Behaviors" and it should take you to the youtube video of Ellis Lankster (they spell his name incorrectly) really using secondary behaviors to try not to stutter. This is the video of what was played on Howard Stern that we heard through www.stuttertalk.com. It's very hard to watch this man struggling so hard not to stutter. As SLPs, we have to make sure that we are not falling into the same trap as our clients, and just helping them do other things not to stutter. Stuttering, as Walt Manning has said, needs to be picked up, plopped down on the table, and really worked with. You cannot just try to work on Fluency... the stuttering is the problem, and the trying not to stutter is perhaps a bigger problem...

Talking With My Sister

For all the years I stayed covert, so did the actual topic of my stuttering within my family. It was taboo, not talked about. I guess everyone felt, including me, that if it wasn't talked about, it wasn't really there. Big time denial!

Since coming out and being open about my stuttering, it has mostly been with non-family members. But I have been able to talk with my sister Kim from time to time. We talked about stuttering Friday night. She called me at 1:30 in the morning with a computer problem (not unusual). The talk led to the presentation I had done last week at the parents group. She asked me about it. I told her I had recorded parts of it, and she could see it on YouTube.

So she watched it while still on phone with me. Kim then said she was so proud of me. She says it is "so cool" that I am opening myself up like this and inspiring others. She then went on to say that God made me with a stutter, and it is beautiful and unique. She said all the rest of the world talks like her, but I get to stutter. By that point, I had tears streaming down my face.

That was worth staying up until 2:30 in the morning for!

Differences Are Universal

A friend from Toastmasters invited me to speak at the monthly meeting of her parents group. Shayna has heard me talk about stuttering, and stutter, many times at our club meetings. She thought my story was inspirational and wanted me to share my message with her group.

We agreed that I could use my story of trying to hide stuttering and relate it to how acceptance of differences promotes tolerance and community.

I was especially nervous about this talk because my friend is Orthodox Jewish and I would need to be observant of the group's very conservative views. The talk was to be at their community Hebrew Day School. Shayna has taught me about many of her religious customs and traditions, and I had previously attended the wedding reception of her daughter. So I was familiar with how I should dress and with the fact men and women do not shake hands upon introduction.

But I was still nervous. I wanted to make a good impression, and not do anything that would seriously breach any Jewish customs. And I really wanted to be honest and open about stuttering and its impact on my life.

Well, it turned out just fine. The group welcomed me and were genuinely interested in my story. I could tell by their great questions. I spoke for almost an hour, and felt very relaxed and at ease.

Shayna's husband was kind enough to use my camera to take a few pics. He also used the video function to record several different clips. I hadn't realized he was going to do that! I took the clips and stringed them together and posted this about the talk. I had some good stuttering, and it was OK. They asked me to come back and talk to their high school students!

Excerpts of Pam's talk to Parent Group 9/23/2009

Stuttering in School

Now here's something really profound. It is not always easy to stutter publicly. People's reactions are as unpredictable as my stuttering is.

I work in a high school, which is challenging enough. Add to the mix some stuttering and it feels like a roller coaster ride some days. Anyway, part of my job is to train all the students in the building on sexual harassment prevention. Its a big job for one person. There's about 500 students in the building, half there in the morning, the other half in the afternoon.

The only way one person can get this done is class by class, so a whole bunch of presentations. So I am talking to kids about negative sexual attention all day. And kids get giggly when we talk about this! Sometimes I have trouble with "s" words, which sex and sexual both begin with. And it would be stupid to try and substitute those words - it just wouldn't make any sense.

So I have muddled through this week, doing fairly well, managing the stuttering. But today, I was having a stuttery day and "sexual" was not easy to say. Some kids were giggling as I stuttered on the word. It was coming out "se-se-se-se-sex-u-u-ual".

One kid shouted, "don't worry miss, no need to get nervous about saying sex. We know even older people have it."

Whoa, even I had to laugh at that one! The whole class did. We were laughing together, and it was OK.

Which One Was Really Me?

One of the most complex things about stuttering is its variability. Some days I can be so fluent that you wouldn't even know I stutter, and other days it is very obvious. That is very frsutrating for me, and I am sure it can be just as frustrating for the SLP new to working with someone who stutters. I am most inclined to want to deal with my stuttering or at least talk about it after I have had a difficult time. Then I am more emotional about it. Let me share an example.

Yesterday, I had a work meeting with my boss and several other colleagues to discuss design changes for our recruitment catalog. The meeting was about 90 minutes and I was almost totally fluent. I felt good. I also tend to focus more on my speech when in situations where I feel I will be judged. In meetings like these, I project my voice more.For some reason, I feel like I am "performing" and my fluency remains steady.

Right after this meeting, I had a picnic to attend. I sit on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization and they were having their annual employee recognition event. One of the first persons I saw was my former supervisor from when I worked there. We made small talk and I realized I was stuttering quite well! He didn't care, as we had talked about it very openly when I was employed there. But I cared! I couldn't help thinking, "what's going on? I am very comfortable with this guy, yet I am stuttering more with him than I have all day!"

As I headed into the pavilion area and saw many more people that I knew and hadn't seen for a while, the same thing happened. I was stuttering quite noticeably with just about everyone. It was a very strange feeling. I felt self-conscious. I hadn't seen a lot of these folks in quite a while and just saying hi and giving hugs was emotional.

I wonder if I stuttered more at this event because people know I stutter and I felt I had license to just be me and let loose. Or maybe because the situation was very casual and comfortable. I thought about it on the way home and felt some emotions rise. I felt like I had been two different people in the course of just several hours. Which one was really me?

Will I Be OK With It?

I had a big presentation at work yesterday, and want to share my reactions/feelings about how it went. For some reason, I was not able to copy and paste successfully, so I am sharing the link to the post I wrote for my other blog. This is a wonderful way to get you to read that too.

It is important for you to read about and hear stuttering experiences from someone who stutters, and sometimes tries not to. It will make you a better clinician!

Anyway, here's the link. Please let me know what you think!

http://stutterrockstar.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/will-i-be-ok-with-it/

More Than What Comes Out Of My Mouth

Stuttering has touched every aspect of my life, but for a very long time, I didn't realize it. I have stuttered since I was 5 years old. I received negative messages right away, from both by father and my kindergarten teacher. Don't let anyone tell you that a kid that young can't internalize, because they can.

I learned right away that something was wrong or bad about stuttering. I felt like I was bad, and didn't want to hear bad things from the adults around me. So I learned very quickly to not stutter, then I wouldn't be told to "shut up" or "stop that". But it was hard to not stutter, so I pretty much just didn't talk.

I am in my forties now, and have lived a very long time trying to keep this huge secret. A little more than three years ago, I decided enough was enough, and chose to come out of my stuttering closet. IT WAS HARD! Life long habits are very hard to break.

Even harder to deal with was the overwhelming emotions. Not only had I hid my stuttering, that which you can see and hear, I had also hid so many of the emotions. Fear, shame, guilt, hopelessness, embarrassment. You see, stuttering includes so much more than what comes out of my mouth. Actually, what does not come out may be just as, if not more than, significant.

I hope those of you reading this decide to make a real commitment to understand stuttering. It is a complex speech disorder that effects the whole person. You absolutely must understand that if you are going to work with people who stutter. If you work with kids and teens who stutter, you have to understand the family dynamics and include the parents. And if you work with adults who stutter, like me, understand that there is much to be gained by really getting to know all what is included in this thing called stuttering.

Fear of stuttering publicly kept me locked up inside of myself for a very long time. I was afraid of social punishment - of being rejected, misunderstood, ridiculed. I was afraid of not being accepted. But I couldn't stand not being true to myself any longer. The internal struggle became more fearful than the fear of allowing myself to be vulnerable.

I have realized that I have so much to offer the world, and my stuttering self makes me unique. Don't be afraid of stuttering - open yourself up to what you can learn about the power of relationships, by realizing its way more than just what comes out of my mouth.

I have made several videos about stuttering - check out this one! Feel free to leave comments!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDL3zGNMiGo

Welcome to the Stuttering Class Blog

Hi everyone. Welcome to our blog. To the left you will find useful links both for class and for therapy with people who stutter. Pam Mertz, who is a member of Fluency Council and a blogger, will be my co-host during the semester. We hope you find this blog to be a great way to learn more about stuttering and post questions and comments. The video linked to the title is a great example of how stuttering is a very individual disorder. Each person has their own stuttering pattern, as unique as a fingerprint. We will be doing a lot of work early in the semester discussing what stuttering is and what about stuttering is important.