Hi PWS,
My peers Victoria, Katlyn, and I (Emily) are pursuing a Master’s Degree in science in Speech-Language Pathology. We wanted to ask: What has been your experience with speech-pathology and stuttering if you have had any? What is your opinion on stuttering therapy?
Hello Victoria, Katlyn, and Emily!
I’ve had quite a few different speech therapists throughout my upbringing, all of whom approached my stuttering treatment quite differently. I began seeing a speech therapist at the age of 6, and I’ve been in regular therapy sessions up to now (I’m 21). I believe the desired treatment may depend on one’s age and how they personally relate to their stutter. Since I started, I’ve been profoundly dissatisfied with being a person who stutters. For me, it has been essential to work on accepting that this is who I am and this is how it is, and that my stuttering doesn’t define me as a person. I can achieve anything I want despite my stutter, and I don’t need to fit into the stereotype that the media and television often associate with stuttering.
I found out that techniques like “jumping” and “extending” sounds and letters didn’t work well for me (we use these words in Norwegian, but I could not find the right term in English for “jumping” and “extending”). This was more because I could use them effectively during therapy sessions but was never comfortable applying these techniques in front of others. Since I was a covert stutterer until last year, the best approach for me is to make friends with my stutter and learn to live with it in the best way possible. However, as you know, stuttering is highly individual, and what worked for me may not necessarily work for others. Nevertheless, I believe that stuttering is often closely linked to our inner well-being. Therefore, a treatment approach that focuses on both the stuttering (not just fluency as the ultimate goal) and the individual’s mental health is a good mix. I think stuttering treatment works well when both of these components are well balanced, and when the stutterer’s wishes are taken into account.
Best regards,
Ylva!
Hi Victoria, Katlyn, and Emily
As stuttering was “wrong” in our family, I wasn’t sent to therapy until I was in my teens. The first two abused me, one physically, the second one mentally. After that I’ve seen a few others, who only focused on my breathing and stuttered syllables, and told me I was doing it wrong as I didn’t get fluent. Which is why I am so happy times have changed and I have so many SLPs even as my personal friends! As today more and more SLPs listen, ask questions and step outside the box and the book. As we’re all different, want and need different approaches. Some might want total fluency. If so, make sure they understand that this might not be an obtainable goal, but that there are many steps in between. Some might want help to accept and live with stuttering. Some might simply want some techniques to get out of a block. Some might want to know more about stuttering. Some might want help to get family members to understand. And therapy can be a full smörgåsbord with different things to try, of which some are maybe completely different than speech therapy. F ex yoga, singing, art. Also bring your clients to support groups, camps and online places where PWS meet. This has been life changing for me.
Keep them talking
Anita