Self Therapy for the Stutterer

This is the book in English
http://www.stutteringhelp.org/sites/default/files/Migrate/book0012_11th_ed.pdf 


This is the book in Chinese

http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/wang.pdf

This is the book in French

http://www.stutteringhelp.org/sites/default/files/Self_therapy_French_Translation.pdf

This is the book in Portuguese

http://www.stutteringhelp.org/sites/default/files/selftherapy_portuguese.pdf

The book may have other translations in print form.

Rapping and no stuttering!

This young man did not benefit from speech therapy. It helps some, but some find that they do not profit from it. It may be that going to a specialist for those who stutter would help him. At least he found his voice in rapping. I like his attitude "Don’t let one small thing get in between your dreams. We are who we are.”

Click on the title of this post to go to the article about Jake Zeldin.

Vote for a camp for children who stutter

Please vote for Camp Shout Out, a camp for children who stutter, in this contest. Then ask others to vote, too. Clicking on the title of this post will take you to this link http://5x5night.com/ideas/detail/camp-shout-out-something-to-shout-about

Camp Shout Out for stuttering

"Camp Shout Out which is non-profit,traditional overnight camp setting for youth around the world who stutter ages 8-16 where they will participate in speech therapy and camp activities. Camp Shout Out is also a clinical training opportunity for SLP's and selected
graduate students who will improve their skills working with youth who stutter.

The best part is that the clinical training and treatment portion of the camp is
being developed by and will be directed by: Kristin Chmela and June Campbell,
two VERY well known fluency specialists and trainers of clinicians. If you want
to know more we have a facebook page: Camp Shout Out for youth who stutter
and our webpage will be up very shortly: campshoutout.org
We are also working in collaboration with Western Michigan University and the
Stuttering Foundation."

I found this on a stuttering group site.

Job interviews and people who stutter

The Stuttering Foundation states "The research is conclusive that people who stutter perform successfully in a range of jobs that require communication skills, from sales to medicine to public relations. However, this may not be evident during the initial interview, perhaps the most stressful speaking situation for everyone, much less someone who stutters. The best way to approach an employee’s stuttering is through honest communication and by refraining from making assumptions about job-related abilities and skills."

A brochure about stuttering is available to take with you on a job interview. Download it at http://www.stutteringhelp.org/DeskLeftDefault.aspx?TabID=13 and give it to the interviewer while telling them you stutter.

The most important thing for stutterers to remember is that it is best to tell the interviewer that you stutter. By doing this at the beginning of the interview and letting them know that stuttering will not hinder work performance, the interview will be much easier. You will stutter more if you try to hide the fact that you stutter. You will also be concentrating more on that then on the best answers to the questions because you will be trying to avoid using words that give you problems.

Get a friend or family member to go through a mock interview with you. Be prepared ahead of time for questions that might be asked. To prepare for a phone interview, use the phone as much as possible ahead of time. Make the telephone a friend instead of your enemy as many stutterers have done.

If you can, get speech therapy from a therapist who specializes in stuttering. If you don't live close to one or can't afford it, try self-therapy.

Parents of or adolescents 11-19 years old who stutter needed

Please help Lucy if you can:

"I am a fourth year university student at De Montfort university studying speech and language therapy. I have an interest in stammering and hope to specialize in this area once qualified. As part of my degree I am conducting a research project looking at the difficulties faced by young people who stammer and their parents. I hope that this project will inform the speech and language therapy service as to what can be done to improve the service provided to help people with a stammer. You do not have to have had speech therapy to participate.

I am looking for parents of adolescents who stutter/stammer and adolescents aged 11 to 19 who stutter/stammer themselves to complete a short questionnaire to help me with my research. All of the information will be confidential and no identifying information will be included. If you are interested in volunteering or would just like more information please message me and I will contact you.

Many thanks,
Lucy Culliford
p0527321x@learner.dmu.ac.uk "

Class Presentation on Stuttering

I have read of students doing a class presentation in order to teach their classmates and their teacher what stuttering is like and how it affects them. This page http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121 has tips for doing such a presentation plus a suggested outline to follow. There is a link at the bottom that takes you to a kit made specially for this purpose with enough brochures about stuttering for an entire class. There are also brochures on this page http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=131 that you can download. I would recommend the "Tips for Teachers" and "Tips for Speaking with Someone who Stutters" brochures. Teaching teachers and classmates about stuttering and how to help is a good place to start changing the way all stutterers are treated.

Teenagers summer camps for stuttering

Camp Our Time is a summer camp in August young people who stutter. Read more about it here http://www.stutteringhelp.org/default.aspx?tabindex=639&tabid=652.

Check out this page http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Portals/English/ui-speaks.pdf for information on a great way for teenagers to spend the summer with other teens who stutter and get help with their own stuttering. The session for 2008 is over, but keep in touch with Dr. Zebrowski so you know about the session for next summer.

For more information, or to request an application, contact:
Patricia M. Zebrowski, Ph.D.
Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology
The University of Iowa
Phone 319.335.8735
Email tricia-zebrowski@uiowa.edu

Confidence is the best cure for stuttering

Read about some teens who stutter and who believe that gaining confidence in yourself is the best thing to help with stuttering. At the end of this page http://www.stutteringhelp.org/default.aspx?tabindex=635&tabid=648 is a link to a presentation they put together. It is certainly worth watching. Take time for it to buffer and play smoothly.

Stuttering in school

Many students who stutter, no matter what age, do not participate in class and dread speaking assignments because they are "afraid of stuttering." Some students have found that they do better if the teacher allows them to do a presentation about stuttering. That helps the rest of the class understand what a stutterer goes through. Teachers can help with these tips from the Stuttering Foundation of America:

"8 tips for teachers

1. Don’t tell the child “slow down” or “ just relax.”
2. Don’t complete words for the child or talk for him or her.
3. Help all members of the class learn to take turns talking and listening. All children — and especially those who stutter — find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions and they have the listener’s attention.
4. Expect the same quality and quantity of work from the student who stutters as the one who doesn’t.
5. Speak with the student in an unhurried way, pausing frequently.
6. Convey that you are listening to the content of the message, not how it is said.
7. Have a one-on-one conversation with the student who stutters about needed accommodations in the classroom. Respect the student’s needs, but do not be enabling.
8. Don’t make stuttering something to be ashamed of. Talk about stuttering just like any other matter.
Compiled by Lisa Scott, Ph.D., The Florida State University"

Communication pressures

Communication pressures cause many trials and tribulations for those who stutter. Students should ask that they be allowed to recite first or close to the first as they are more likely to stutter if they must wait behind half the class for their turn. They should also let their teacher know that they have good days and worse days and that is why they participate in class one day and not the next.

Stutterers who are in the workforce should do the same thing with their employers and coworkers. It is better to tell them upfront that you stutter and that certain things help you or hinder you. You will be accepted better as part of the team if you talk with them about your speech and let them know how they can help you.

Tips for doing a presentation if you stutter

Know your subject matter really well and practice reading to your dog or just out loud to yourself ahead of time.

Look over the heads of the class at a point on the wall in the back of the room. The class will think you are looking at them, and the teacher will think you are looking at your audience.

Don't notice any reaction from the class. Their reaction doesn't matter, but it might make you feel more nervous.

Concentrate on what you are saying rather than how you are saying it.

Don't try to keep from stuttering as that will make you stutter more. If you stutter, just let it happen.

Maintain a steady pace, not too fast, and don't get in a hurry to "get it over with."

Speak in a relaxed manner and pause every so often.

Start into words easily keeping your lips, tongue, and jaw relaxed.

Tips for teens who stutter

Here are some things that teens said about stuttering - their tips to help others like them who stutter too!

• More haste, less speech
• People are more interested in what you have to say than how you are saying it
• Make a list of the things you are good at
• Notice other people's communication skills - no one is perfect!
• You can't mind-read - imagining the worst doesn't help
• Notice the colour of people's eyes when you talk to them - this will help you to maintain eye contact
• You can help others feel relaxed. Smile and try to look relaxed (even if your stomach is all knots and butterflies)
• To stop people asking you questions - ask them something first (e.g. "where do you live, work, go to school etc?")
• The harder you try not to stutter, the worse it gets - go with the flow
• Use pauses to give yourself time
• Try to talk about your stutter to someone today
• Mention the stutter in passing as if you are not concerned about it!
• Notice those things that seem to help - and do some more
• Praise yourself for having a go at something you usually avoid
• Noticing something you have done well is better than self-criticism
• Be fair to yourself
• Try to avoid self-talk which includes 'I must' and 'I should' - try 'I might have a go' and 'I could try to'
• Set one small but achievable goal today - and pat yourself on the back
• Notice the times when you stutter less, rather than concentrating on when it is worse
• Don't start speaking until you are ready
• Say a little more than you usually do
• When you mind less about your stuttering, you often stutter less too
• Smile a bit more; this will help others feel relaxed
• Feel the fear and do it anyway!
• Worrying about what others might be thinking is very unhelpful - you could be wrong
• Can you really read other peoples' minds? Do you really know what other people think about your speech?
• Do most people know you stutter? Try not to hide it from them
• Is everyone nasty about stuttering? Or are some people just nasty?

Speech Therapy for teens and adults

Stuttering therapy for teens and adults usually means changing long-standing speech behaviors, emotions, and attitudes about talking and communication in general. As a result, length and type of therapy can vary greatly depending on your goals. A list of sample therapy goals for teens and adults includes:
Reducing the frequency of stuttering;
Decreasing the tension and struggle of stuttering moments;
Working to decrease word or situation avoidances;
Learning more about stuttering;
Using effective communication skills such as eye contact or phrasing; and,
Determining whether goals relate to long-term change or to meet a specific short-term need, such as a job interview.
Working together with a speech pathologist who is knowledgeable about stuttering will help you identify your personal goals.

source: The Stuttering Foundation of America

Fear of stuttering is one thing to conquer in a quest for fluency

I was reading a health book and ran across this paragraph "It is perfectly natural for the older man to respond more slowly to sexual impetus. If the slowing down of response results in a fear of performance, this fear itself can lead to impotence ..." This reminded me of my uncle, who stuttered, saying that the more he tried not to stutter, the more he did. He said that, before he started working through the book "Self Therapy for the Stutterer," he had instances of having to do some important speaking in front of a group where it was of utmost importance for him to speak professionally. That was the time that he was the worst ever, and he thought he would lose his job over it. Only having an understanding employer helped him save face (and job). He talked to his employer and it was agreed upon that he would give the information to another employee to present for him. The other employee would let the group know that he was only presenting the information and was not to get credit for the knowledge.

Uncle Kenny went to work on his speech therapy and was happy to eventually get to do the presentations himself. He realized that the fear of stuttering was the first thing he had to work on; once he was able to go into meetings and presentations without fearing that he would stutter, he was able to talk with less stuttering.

Video to help teens who stutter

Every teen should watch the video "Straight Talk for Teens" that you can find by searching Google.com for "stuttering" and clicking on the video with that title. That one and "For Kids, By Kids" are two videos that can help teens who stutter as well as their friends who want to understand what they are going through.