Is Fluency a Curse Word? (Frank Stechel)

frankAbout the author Frank Stechel.  Frank is a person who stutters. He currently lives in Central New Jersey with his family and Labrador retriever. He is currently retired but worked for 31 years in the vocational rehabilitation office of the New York State Education Department as a counselor, supervisor and manager. He now actively volunteers in his synagogue and community and enjoys the many recreational and cultural activities available in New Jersey and nearby New York City.

The host of the StutterTalk podcast (StutterTalk.com), often refers to fluency as the “f-word” of stuttering. He is both a Person Who Stutters (PWS) and a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), was a covert stutterer and overcame his fear of talking by openly stuttering and using voluntary stuttering. He, therefore, views the need of some PWS to “chase after fluency”, as he sometimes calls it, as counterproductive, serving mainly to increase concealment and the fear and shame associated with stuttering. He is not opposed to using speech “tools” to modify stuttering – he, for example, has suggested the use of occasional pauses during speaking in order to decrease speech tension – but prefers to describe these techniques as helping someone to “stutter differently” or “stutter more easily” rather than speak more fluently.

Certainly stuttering openly, either as a prelude to or accompanying speech modification, is a hallmark of most legitimate speech therapy, with the possible exception of fluency shaping. It’s also the case that the goals of therapy have to be realistic and many PWS cannot expect total fluency, as it’s traditionally understood. But is it really the case that we can’t, in some sense, “own” fluency as well as stuttering? I would like to briefly examine this proposition:

  1. The definition of fluent, as it relates to language, is (someone who is) capable of using a language easily and accurately (http://www.merriam-webster.com).

Based on that definition virtually all PWS are fluent in, at least, their native language in addition to other acquired languages. Fluency in a language is not only, or even primarily, how proficiently the words are pronounced, but based on knowledge of the vocabulary, grammar, idioms, etc. of the language itself. That being the case, PWS can claim fluency as a birthright in their own linguistic environment no matter how they speak.

  1. Even though as a mild to moderate PWS, and I’m fluent on 80 – 90% of my utterances, my self-definition is still that of a PWS. That is because, as we know, stuttering is much more than the number of our disfluencies, but includes our feelings and attitudes about ourselves and those around us. (See Joseph Sheehan’s Iceberg Theory of Stuttering summarized at http://www.geocities.ws/batalosweb/methods/iceberg.html. Nonetheless, when I challenge myself and use fluency enhancing techniques to be able to say a word fluently, where I previously anticipated problems, I prefer to think of my success as achieving or approximating fluency rather than stuttering more easily or differently. Why does it make a difference? Because – and this is simply my own feeling – when I’m speaking essentially fluently, even with some repetitions or prolongations, I feel in control and can feel the flow of my speech, which is not my experience when I’m stuttering with more tense blockages. That feeling of speaking “essentially fluently” is self-rewarding, not because I’m denying my self -definition as a stutterer, but because my communication is “smooth” and “flowing” which is the very definition of fluency.
  2. There is a lively debate between some people in the self-help and disability studies communities about the value of fluency enhancing approaches to therapy. One group sees stuttering as having intrinsic value, and, therefore, view therapy that enhances fluency negatively. Another group sees value in fluency enhancing approaches – especially with young children who may be able to avoid future stuttering (see the blog Did I Stutter at http://www.didistutter.org/blog for a description of the former position). This is an important debate. However, for those of us who stutter who want to see more effective therapies, I’m concerned that new modalities of treatment will be sidelined if the desire for fluency is considered “politically incorrect”. I’m also concerned that research and funding efforts will not be prioritized within the self-help movement if fluency is not viewed as a positive outcome. This would be unfortunate given the progress in understanding the genetic and neurological basis for stuttering and the prospect for future medical breakthroughs.

In conclusion, I hope that “Stuttering Pride “, the motto of this year’s ISAD conference, will be experienced by ever increasing numbers of stutterers, while bearing in mind that some of us also view our fluency with pride and satisfaction.

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Comments

Is Fluency a Curse Word? (Frank Stechel) — 59 Comments

  1. Hello Frank. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic. I appreciate the point that you make about feeling pride and satisfaction in achieving your fluency. Coming from a point of severe struggle, there certainly is pride to be felt in overcoming that struggle.

    Balance is needed, as always. Balance can be found, perhaps, by accepting ourselves and being proud of ourselves, and still seeking ways to lessen our struggle. I feel that Acceptance is a necessary precursor to finding ways to effectively reduce the struggle.

    Thanks a lot for writing.

    • Thanks for the comment Hanan. I agree on the importance of balance in dealing with many of life’s challenges. Unfortunately balance can be viewed as boring and we tend to gravitate to more absolutist but untenable positions. There is a tension, I believe, between acceptance as a PWS and reduced stuttering, but this is something I’ve had to navigate throughout my life so I can be honest with how I feel about my own stuttering. Shana Tova!!

    • Hi Frank,
      I greatly enjoyed reading your piece about this topic of stuttering. It is helpful and informative to learn about stuttering from your perspective. That balance between acceptance and reduced stuttering you talk about in your writing was definitely insightful. I certainly have a deeper understanding of the concept of stuttering after reading your article.
      -Thomas

  2. Hello Frank,

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on a controversial subject. I’m both an SLP and a person who stutters. As a clinician, based on my client’s values and goals, I strive to help my client become an effective communicator. Depending on the client, that may, or may not, involve working directly on “fluency.” Personally, however, I cannot imagine my own journey toward communicative freedom without fluency shaping. It has helped me tremendously. At the same time, an excessive focus on fluency once drained the vitality from my life for a period of time. Learning to accept some stuttering helped in my journey, too. I tend to agree with Hanan that acceptance and balance are needed – in my view, whether one stutters openly or seeks to speak fluently. Best,

    Rob

    • Thanks for the comment Rob. I agree totally with your sentiments. My purpose in writing the article was to take another look at fluency, not as the enemy, but as something that we can work with, just as we work with concepts like acceptance, positive self-regard, etc. All the best!
      Frank

  3. Hello Frank,

    Thank you for your input! I really appreciated a different look at stuttering. I am a graduate student in speech language pathology and I feel like in the (albeit limited) experiences that I have had with PWS, more often than not prefer to “stutter differently” instead of aiming for fluency. But my sample size is quite small. Do you find that more people in your experience strive for fluency or “stutter more easily?” And as an SLP, how would you recommend adjusting therapy for each perspective?

    • As my bio above indicates I am a PWS and not an SLP so I can’t comment directly on your question. However, from my own perspective I don’t believe speaking fluently or “stuttering differently” is an either/or proposition. I sometimes use some fluency shaping techniques that may allow me to speak relatively fluently but at other times may use some stuttering modification techniques so I’m still obviously stuttering but with less tension and fewer secondaries. Good luck!
      Frank

  4. Hi Frank,

    Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts regarding fluency as a PWS. I am an SLP graduate student and have been struggling to understand how an “acceptance and confidence” philosophy coincides with fluency-based therapies. Your paper provides some valuable insight regarding the differing opinions on this subject within the community of PWS. You’ve given much food for thought! Thanks again for sharing your perspective.

    • Thanks for your comment Deanna. It was very nice to hear you found the paper interesting. Gook luck in your career!
      Frank

  5. Dear Frank,

    HI! Thanks for your paper! You bring up some nice perspectives and an important point and perhaps theme to this entire conference. That is we all don’t have to think the same. What one person believe as right for them, might not fit with another person’s life or perspective. Using your topic, one person who stutters might feel that “fluency” is not a term that fits their life and values and stuttering pride while another person who stutters may find pride in finding THEIR PERSONAL fluency. Both perspective are correct in the sense they are relative to each individual. The moment we try to put our believes and opinions onto another person is the moment we see our ego.

    On a person note, as a person who stutters and a professor in speech pathology (and a speech pathologist), I love seeing all sides to this word,and have experience my own opinions evolve with respect to this word. They have evolved as I have learned to accept ME. So I used to dislike the word “fluency” with a passion, because I associated with a content of being a Person who stutters. However, I see not that my speech (and myself) are more than just one thing, but a host of other behaviors. When I communicate I don’t just use my mouth, I use my eyes, body, vocal intensity and pitch of my voice, not to mention the content of the message. All parts of communication I might not label as stuttering or fluent but just parts of my communication.

    Anyway, very well thought out manuscript and nice points. Thank you for sharing yourself and your thoughts.
    With compassion and kindness,
    Scott

  6. Greetings Frank,
    Thank you for your presentation on whether a PWS can “own” fluency as well as stuttering, and for expressing your thoughts regarding what it means to be a PWS. I am a graduate student studying speech-language pathology, and I recently completed an assignment that took us out of the brick and mortar classroom and into the community “classroom” to spend a day pseudo stuttering. Although it was only for one full day, the experience was invaluable, as it helped me become more empathetic towards the daily life experiences a PWS may encounter.
    Additionally, through the experience itself and from what I have learned so far in my fluency class, I have a new found appreciation for pseudo stuttering and what it means in regard to building self-confidence and taking back control. I say this because I am now an advocate of volunteer stuttering, as it appears you are too. I appreciate how you mentioned that you overcame your fear of talking by openly stuttering and using voluntary stuttering. I too agree that the need to “chase after fluency” is counterproductive, and is likely to increase the fear and shame associated with stuttering. Also, I appreciate your point of view regarding the use of speech “tools” to modify stuttering, and how you prefer to describe these techniques as helping someone stutter “more easily” rather than fluently. Thank you again for your presentation.

  7. Hi Frank,

    Thank you so much giving insight about divergent perspectives regarding the value of speaking fluently. I am also an SLP graduate student and your article was my first exposure to the concept that an emphasis on fluency can sometimes be detrimental to some PWS. Has the importance of “fluent” speech (smooth, flowing speech with no breaks or repetitions) held by many in society contributed to your personal negative feelings and attitudes?

  8. Frank:
    Thank you for presenting this discussion and sharing your thoughts. I am an SLP who does not stutter (and am guilty as charged for calling “fluency” the other “f” word). To me it is a semantic issue. I don’t feel “fluency” is a curse word, but have found it has different meanings to different people. I personally avoid the use of the word fluency unless I describe what I mean by it, because I fear it may be interpreted as meaning speech without disfluency, which I believe is an unattainable goal, especially if you consider the research in the area of psycholinguistics. It reveals that speech disfluencies are a part of talking (filled/unfilled pauses, repetitions, etc.). In fact, filled pauses such as “um” and “uh” have been shown to serve communicative functions. When I have someone tell me they would like to be fluent, I have them listen to typical, nonstuttered speech (of perceived “fluent” speakers) for disfluencies. It is often an eye-opening experience and leads to a more descriptive definition of what is meant when discussing “fluency.”
    As a clinician I view my role as helping a person who stutters become a more competent communicator. The notion of competency, I have found, varies with each individual. I have had some clients who prefer to stutter as little as possible and have preferred to expend the daily effort to use fluency shaping strategies to achieve their goal (of near stutter-free speech) and I have worked with others who have elected to go ahead and stutter with reduced tension. In both cases, the person has felt therapy was successful because the end result was that he/she could communicate effectively. As speakers, they felt a sense of control and could choose to speak the way they preferred. To me, the person achieved his or her own definition of what it meant to be a “fluent communicator.”
    My role as a clinician is not to tell someone how they should speak (using fluency shaping or stuttering modification methods), but to help each person find what works and is acceptable to her or him. I don’t believe the determination of stuttering easier or of speaking more fluently is an either/or decision, but rather lies along the continuum of what speaking fluently means (to the individual person).
    I hope my ramblings make sense to you. On a side note, even though I do not stutter, I am often quite disfluent when I speak, using repetitions and sometimes even some prolongations and very mild tense pauses. I don’t have any tension and do not experience any sense of loss of control (and consider myself a “fluent” communicator).
    Thanks again for sharing your insightful thoughts!
    Charlie

  9. Frank,
    I loved your perspective on how fluency is viewed, and I agree with you. You mention a potential downfall of not viewing fluency as a positive outcome being that funding efforts might not be prioritized in the self-help movement. Do you also think that maybe stuttering would also be less prioritized as a whole if fluency is not viewed as a positive outcome? I think viewing fluency as a curse word could definitely be detrimental in how it is considered in medical fields, by a PWS, and by people who do not stutter.

    Thank you again for your thoughts!

  10. Hello Mr. Stechel,

    Thank you for your perspective! I couldn’t help but think about the deaf community in terms of the “camps” of people who stutter- those who want to be more fluent and try to avoid stuttering and those who want to embrace stuttering. Is this a comparison that has been made before? If so, is there tension with people in either “camp” when discussing the issue of fluency versus embracing the stutter?

    Thank you!
    Best,

    Avery Perryman
    SLP Graduate Student

  11. Frank,
    I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on achieving fluency while still identifying as a person who stutters. I am a second year graduate student currently taking a Fluency course and have found that the goal in therapy should be a combination of working on attitudes and emotions about stuttering as well as a focus on strategies that help our clients become more fluent.
    My question to you is, as a therapist, is it difficult to teach someone to both embrace their stuttering while also teaching them how to control their speech? And how do the different attitudes about embracing stuttering and embracing fluency come into play?
    Thank you for your time!

  12. Frank,

    Your post is very intriguing. As a Speech-language Pathology graduate student, I feel that it is very important to know how PWS view the world around them. Honestly, I have never thought of PWS finding the word “fluent” to be a bad word. I am very thankful that you have posted this paper, so I can become more aware and considerate of others thoughts and feelings.

    My question to you is, do you think that more people tend to have the “fluency-is-a-bad-word” view or the “fluency-should-be-included-in-therapy” view? This can be referring to other PWS you know or SLPs you may have come into contact with, etc.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Katy

  13. Hi Frank,

    Thanks so much for your submission. I found it very interesting! I am an SLPA who works with PWS at a fluency clinic. Something that often gets “lost in translation” is the client’s feelings towards stuttering, because we get so focused on fluency enhancing techniques.

    I found it particularly interesting that you said you feel that you are “approximating fluency” when using fluency enhancing techniques, and that this makes you feel more in control of your speech. I have never looked at it in that way, and I really appreciate you bringing this different way of thinking to light. As someone who works on fluency enhancing techniques, I always thought that the techniques simply made the PWS feel fluent.

    It was also interesting to read how fluent you feel in utterances (80-90%). I feel that this is perhaps something that clinicians forget to address with clients, as we are busy taking our own data. However, your post made me realize how important it is to be aware of how fluent the PWS feels.

    Thank you for your insights!

    Katie

  14. Hi Frank,

    This was a very interesting read. The thought of “owning” fluency while stuttering is intriguing. Asking from a Speech-Language Pathology graduate student standpoint, would you advise future SLPs not to focus so heavily on the term ‘fluent’ while in therapy?

  15. Mr. Stechel,

    I look forward to checking out your podcast. This was an interesting read for sure. As a future SLP I would like to know what advice you have for treating fluency? What in your view can SLP’s do better when treating PWS?

  16. Hello Frank,
    I loved reading your article because I am always so interested in perpectives of those who stutter. I am currently in graduate school to become a SLP and I believe understanding perspectives is a key part in successful therapy. As a PWS what advice would you give younger children who are stuttering and in therapy? I know there are so many emotions that coincide with stuttering, especially in young children. As a future SLP I want to be able to relate to my clients in order to have effective therapy and in order for the client to open up to me. I believe your advice would be extremely helpful and would be very appreciated.

    Thank you so much for sharing,
    Katie

  17. Hi Frank,

    I thoroughly enjoyed your read as I feel your expressed a different outlook on how to view and perceive one’s stutter. I really appreciated how you described that PWS are fluent in their own language, I think that is true, I just never thought of it in that sense. In terms of counseling a client who stutters, would you recommend that a therapist begins counseling by allowing the client time to “own” their stutter? Do you believe that will set a stronger foundation for therapy?

  18. Frank,

    I really enjoyed reading your story. As a Speech-Language Pathology student currently taking a course in Fluency, it is helpful to be able to attach the perspective of a PWS to what I have been learning. We have talked a lot about the emotional convert aspects and I like the way you described your perception of fluency versus disfluency. I currently have about five kiddos who stutter on my practicum caseload and three of them are completely unaware of the overt disfluencies. When I attempt to probe them for their feelings (covert aspects) at the time of overt stuttering, they don’t appear to be impacted. I am afraid that by pointing out the disfluencies, they will become self-conscious. My question is, how can I teach these kids to accept/ become aware of their stuttering so they can utilize techniques when they want to in a way that will be a positive experience?

    Thanks for sharing!

    Brittany

  19. Frank,
    I found your story interesting. It is nice to see the views of someone that has actually experienced something and their view on it. It is one thing to learn in the classroom but to hear from someone is another. It is wonderful that pride is something that you can experience with your stutter.
    Do you think that this method that you used is something that would work with other stutterers? How would you recommend this method to a person that stuttered so that they could be proud too?

  20. Hi Frank,
    From the many replies to your paper, it is obvious that this is topic that deeply touches the stuttering community. You spoke about fluency as “That feeling of speaking “essentially fluently”” and “communication is “smooth” and “flowing””. I think you hit on something very important. Fluency isn’t non-stuttered speech; it is the feeling of flowing communication. Could this possibly be a swear words? I don’t think so. I really don’t believe there is anyone out there who thinks it’s negative to communicate in an easy flowing way.

    The bad name that fluency received came from requiring the speaker to work hard to do various techniques so as not to stutter. This way of speaking, when successful, did not usually lead to flowing communication. I believe that is why it has been rejected by many. I would even call this effortful non-stuttered speech “false fluency”. In that sense I think it is a double f-word.

    Real fluency i.e. the smooth flowing speech that you mention is quite something else. Stuttering is effortful to one degree or another, so what could be politically incorrect in finding a way to speak effortlessly. The idea is not to chase fluent speech, but rather achieving the sense of flow. When you are in the flow, there might be hesitations and repetitions in your language, as there is in everyone’s speech, but communication feel natural.

  21. Hi Frank,
    I appreciated reading your perspective on this topic. I am an SLP graduate student currently, and I’ve gained some insight personally and for further future clinical experience with PWS in seeing two different views of stuttering and fluency. I like how organizations, events, podcasts, etc., like StutterTalk, seem to be great avenues that serve as advocacy and support groups for PWS that were not as easily accessible years ago. I can also see how third party payers, insurance, research funding, etc. could become even more reluctant to pay for funds or therapy services if PWS seek the self-help movement. Do you have any ideas on how to encourage PWS to be confident with themselves and stuttering, yet still advocate for receiving services?

  22. Hi Frank,

    I think your point is very interesting. I am an SLP graduate student and I am currently learning from a professor who stutters about the past of the politically correct reference of “persons who stutter” and the evolution throughout the years toward and away from that phrasing. In your experience, do you feel you are alone in this mindset of embracing both stuttering and fluency with pride, or do you feel there are many other people who think similarly? As a future SLP, I would love to have a more confident understanding of how to approach this field because I do not have many personal experiences with stuttering, and although each person is different, I would love to have a better understanding of the general mindset on stuttering therapy out there.

    Thank you!

    Lisa

  23. Hi Frank,
    Thank you for sharing. We are SLP graduate students at the University of South Carolina. It was very interesting to read your thoughts on using the term fluency. Because we learn so much about evidence based practice in our program, and the importance of using therapy techniques that have research to back them up, we can definitely understand the point you are making when you say that new modalities of treatment might be sidelined if we avoid the desire for fluency. We also liked that you acknowledged how important stuttering openly can be, but that it is also important for PWS to allow themselves to be proud of their own fluency. As future SLPs, there will be PWS who come to us for help with obtaining fluency (or control over their stutter), and we agree that they should be encouraged to find satisfaction in the progress they make during therapy.
    Sincerely,
    Kaleigh, Sara, and Megan

  24. Hello Frank!

    I really enjoyed your paper and your view on this issue. That being said do you think there is too much emphasis placed on the word “fluency” during therapy? This is coming from a SLP graduate student’s view as I am entering the field very soon.
    Thank you,
    Chelsea Jones

  25. Hi Frank,

    Thank you for this article. I think it’s an important one, the stronger the word “acceptance” becomes in our community. I do agree that sometimes fluency is a goal for clients and we shouldn’t brush it to the side. However, we must also keep in mind what therapy approaches achieve the most fluency. Sometimes, in speech therapy, the more we work on direct fluency shaping techniques, the less fluent the client will actually become. Oftentimes, the more we try to be fluent and try not to stutter, the more we stutter. Do you think SLP’s should work on fluency enhancing strategies if the client’s goal is fluency? Aren’t all PWS initial goals to be fluent? Can we replace “fluency” with “successful communication?”

    Courtney
    PWS and SLP graduate student

  26. Hi Frank,
    Thank you for sharing your perspective on fluency and advocating for Stuttering Pride! I am a graduate student studying speech-language pathology, and I enjoyed gaining greater insight into the divergent perspectives of PWS regarding fluency and fluency-enhancing approaches to therapy Regarding the use of the word “fluency,” have you found that the “fluency is a bad word” perspective has a negative impact on PWS? Does this perspective perhaps lead PWS away from owning their fluency, as well as their stuttering? I am wondering if perhaps this “fluency is bad” approach guides individuals away from “owning” every aspect of themselves, which I would think would lead to increased feelings of contentment in their lives.
    -kaite

  27. Hi Frank,

    Thanks for sharing! Do you believe that the therapy would be more beneficial if the SLP focused on the individual’s feelings towards stuttering rather than the definition of fluency?

    Thanks,
    Emma

  28. Hi Frank,

    As an SLP and a PWS, you can bring a different perspective to this area than many of us can. I am an SLP grad student studying fluency right now, and I wondered how you began to embrace your desire to be fluent and acceptance of your stuttering. We’ve studied the importance of balancing emotions and attitudes toward stuttering with stratgies to improve fluency and it sounds like a difficult balance. While SLPs want to push clients to become more “fluent,” what they really mean is for speech to be easier, flowing, and with less tension and anxiety. How were you able to find this balance in yourself?

    Thanks!
    Katie

  29. Hi Frank,

    As an speech and language therapy student who is currently studying the term ‘fluency’ and stammering, I found your thoughts very interesting! I didn’t realise that some people view fluency therapy as negative because it links with their identity. Fluency is a difficult concept, with lots of variations in the way it is defined it has caused confusion. However, after reading your story I feel that the main importance of speaking more fluently is the psychological impact it has on people like yourself. Being able to speak more smoothly and flowing allows people to feel more in control and thus happier and relaxed? I feel I have learned some valid points from your article. So thank you!

    Eleanor

  30. Hi Frank!

    Thank you for your contribution! It was insightful to read about how you have coped with your stuttering and how you feel about fluency overall. I was fascinated by the fact that you have developed your own internal scale with regard to whether or not you are approximating fluency. As a speech-language pathologist and a person who stutters, you are able to provide an important perspective to readers that many others cannot provide.

    Thank you,
    Ashley

  31. Hi Frank,

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on fluency. I enjoyed reading your article and thought it was very interesting. I am currently a graduate student studying to be an SLP and currently taking a class on stuttering. Everyone is different and your article reminded me that you need to take in everyone’s point of view and feelings towards their stuttering before starting therapy. As a future SLP is there anything else you would like me to keep in mind while working with a person who stutters?
    Thank you for sharing!
    – Kristina

  32. Hello Frank,
    I really appreciated this post for this year’s theme of “Stuttering Pride,” you are discussing an issue that I was wondering myself. As a culture we are beginning to use the word “Pride” frequently to encourage people to not be ashamed of who they are. I believe this is a great movement and I am glad to see people so accepting of themselves, however, people should be able to still be “prideful” with who they are and facilitate change within themselves. I do not believe that there is anything wrong with a PWS accepting that they stutter and also experiencing fluency. As a 22 year old female I do not look like a supermodel and I accept that I never will but I still believe that I can change my habits (eating healthy, working out, keeping my stress level down) to make myself a happier and more beautiful woman. I know this example does not directly compare to stuttering but I understand and appreciate your willingness to accept who you are and make a change.
    -Carissa

  33. Mr. Stechel,

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I found them to be very interesting. I am currently a graduate student studying stuttering for the first time. In our class we have discussed what “fluency” really means, and even people who don’t stutter and consider themselves to be fluent still have disfluencies in their speech. I think it’s really important to be aware of disfluencies one has as a PWS or someone who is considered to be a “fluent” speaker. I also think it is important for PWS to have pride in their speech. Fluency should not be seen as the end all goal because even people perceived to speak normally have dis-fluent speech. I like your outlook on having it not be seen as the enemy but something you can build on in treatment.

  34. Frank,

    I loved your message about stuttering pride and how it is okay to embrace it and be who you are. How difficult do you find it to be to get to that point for a PWS, and what advice do you have for new SLP’s to help a client in that situation?

  35. Hi Frank,
    Thank you for being so open and honest regarding how you feel about fluency. I 100% agree that each case is individual, and people view their own speech in combination with so many other underlying factors. I am really glad you mentioned the impact of “being fluent” has in different stages of life. Of course, we should give young children all of the therapeutic opportunities available, but as adults, the need to be fluent may be higher or lower, depending on the personal situation. Again, taking the whole person into account is so important, and I loved your personal input on the subject.
    Kathryn

  36. Hi Mr. Stechel,
    I found your paper to be fascinating. I can see what you mean about how this newer movement toward celebrating the identity of PWS may negatively impact research being done to modify stuttering. To me, the idea of less research being done in the future on fluency disorders is a scary one. I am currently in a master’s program for speech-language pathology, and the limited, inconsistent research available to me in my fluency disorders course is very frustrating. The text we have is wonderful, but so often I find myself wondering “do we actually know anything at all about this?” So much work is left to do in this area of the field, and we cannot afford to not put in the work. As you said, fluency has different value for different people, and for different stages of life. Why should we hamstring people who stutter with hopes to become essentially fluent, in the pursuit of celebrating those who don’t desire fluency? I appreciate that you mentioned that stuttering is so much more than verbal – it comes with difficult emotions, and speech therapy plays an important role in helping people to discover and understand those emotions. I share in your hope that people who stutter can learn to celebrate who they are and be self-confident, while still managing to move forward in the development of therapeutic strategies to support those still on that journey.
    Kyle.

  37. Hello Frank,

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions regarding fluency as a person who stutters. I am currently a graduate student in a Communication Sciences and Disorders program and enjoy reading perspectives on the word “fluency”. The definition of ‘fluent’ you used in the article above was fascinating and it challenged what my own personal definition of ‘fluent’ was! I also liked your message about embracing who you are and feeling more in control while speaking. Thank you for sharing your perspective on this subject!

  38. Thank you for your post, Mr. Stechel.

    Like many of the other posters on this forum, I am also a graduate student of speech-language pathology. One of the exciting aspects of the English language to me is the countless ways in which one can describe a thought, feeling, or concept and the different interpretations of a word from person to person. Currently, I am working alongside a licensed SLP in a couple public elementary schools. I have a few students on my caseload who are enrolled in speech-therapy for “fluency.” It has never occurred to me to perceive the word “fluency” as “the other ‘f’ word;” however, I can understand why an adult who stutters such as the host of StutterTalk may view it as such. Thank you for your concluding thoughts on the issue, that is, suggesting that one can have “Stuttering Pride” while still being proud of one’s own accomplishments in fluency. Your post and personal perspective has helped me understand that the two do not need to be exclusively one or the other.

    • Mr. Stechel,

      Thank you for sharing your view of stuttering and how it personally effects you. I am a graduate student and currently pursuing a degree as a speech-language pathologist. The definition you posted of fluent was one I have never heard and made me take a different approach when considering a PWS. We had a graduate teacher explain how she thought of students who presented with a phonological disorder to also have their own language and how brilliant they were to create this language they used to communicate with. Growing up, did you ever consider the concept that you had your own language? And what additional advice could you give to me regarding working with future students who may present with a dysfluency?

      -Emilee

  39. Hello Mr. Stechel,

    I am currently a first year graduate student studying speech-language pathology and am taking a fluency class. I was very intrigued while reading your article about how much you seemed to stress the importance of accepting stuttering. We have discussed this in class multiple times along with ‘stuttering more easily’. In fact, we recently completed a pseudostuttering assignment that allowed us as student clinicians to be aware of how stuttering is more than just the physical verbal problem. It was interesting then to read that you are highly ‘fluent’ yet still identify as a PWS. Moreover, the last point regarding the risk to funding and therapy caught my attention. If the stuttering community continues to move in the direction that calls fluency “politically incorrect”, then those who are young and able to avoid stuttering may lose the ability to have the required services. Do you think that because of this, new modalities of treatment and funding for research will continue? Also, our society has a tendency to change terms in order to deem them appropriate. So is it possible that we will adapt and ‘create’ a less abstract word than ‘fluency’ in order to provide treatment to those who want it? Best wishes,

    Sally

  40. Hi Mr. Stechel,

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts! This paper was so interesting to me. I am a graduate student in school for speech-language pathology, and am currently in a fluency class. The topic of fluency is so unique in our field because we focus so much on the thoughts and feelings of our clients. Our professor encourages us to see the positive and focus on the fluent speech instead of the stuttered speech to help the person who stutters see themself as a successful communicator.

    As a former college athlete, I can say from experience that it helped me be more successful on the field when I focused on the positive aspects of my game rather than setting my mind on the negative aspects. This has been a true concept in my life as well, and lately, I have really started trying to always see the positive first no matter what situation. With that said, do you think that focusing on the stuttering instead of the fluency with terms like “stutter more easily” and “stutter differently” is detrimental to the client’s fluency and overall success in speech therapy?

  41. Hello Frank,

    I found your thoughts on fluency very interesting, as it relates to much of what I am currently learning as an SLP graduate student. For some individuals who stutter, who want and can achieve total fluency, fluency shaping is a great treatment option. However, for many others, such as yourself, approaching the stutter with treatment options such as stuttering modification seems to work well to help eliminate the emotions affiliated with stuttering. As I am someone who deals with a great amount of social anxiety, I feel as though I can relate to the negative emotions one feels when stuttering, although the circumstances are not completely related. Learning about the different treatment approaches professionals will use with their clients to eliminate stuttering, I find that many people, including those who do not stutter, can benefit from trying to form a more positive outlook on their ability to communicate and their perception on life as a whole. Do you try to take what you learn from stuttering modification and apply it to other aspects of life? if so, would you mind sharing?

    Thank you,

    Jaclyn

  42. Mr. Stechel,

    Thank you for your insight on stuttering and the idea that fluency is the “f-word” for stuttering. I am currently a graduate student studying speech-language-pathology and I have had very little information provided to me about stuttering. I have definitely never thought of fluency in a negative way because in the overview class I took during my undergraduate career, that is what the teacher emphasized as being the ultimate goal for individuals who stutter. Currently I am enrolled in a fluency class and the information given is completely different than from what I learned in the previous class I took. My professor is not a PWS; however, he has made me realize that we all have disfluencies in our speech. No one individual can be 100% fluent, but that is okay. I really liked when you said that “stuttering is more than the number of disfluencies; it includes your feelings and attitudes as well as those who surround you.” I have read stories and met individuals who do not let their stuttering negatively impact them, rather they take pride in their speech and have their own idea of what “fluency” means to them. I definitely think that it has something to do with the idea of embracing who you are and not letting the actions of others impact your thoughts about yourself. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and providing me with a different way to view the term fluency.

    Thank you again,
    Nicole

  43. Hello Frank,
    Thank you for writing this paper and for sharing your thoughts. As a first year graduate student studying to become an SLP, I have limited experience working with people who stutter. Therefore, I am always interested in hearing about new perspectives that I can grow from. I was particularly interested in the definition of fluency that was provided and how it related to concept of “owning fluency as well as stuttering”. Overall, regardless of personal opinion of fluency enhancing approaches, your paper helped highlight the importance of being aware of the various perspectives. Thank you again!
    -Jaynie

  44. Hello Frank,

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding fluency as a PWS. This paper was very interesting to read because I did not know there was a debate on the value of fluency enhancing approaches to therapy. I originally thought fluency was always the goal for PWS, and I always thought of fluency to be positive. As a result of reading this paper, I will research this debate more to get a better understanding how people can view therapy that enhances fluency negatively.

  45. Hi Frank,
    Thank you so much for sharing your story with everyone – I am a second year graduate student studying speech pathology and have a brother who is a PWS. I think it is very inspirational that you are a PWS and also an SLP. First, I think that can give huge hope to other PWS that their opportunities are endless and their stutter shouldn’t restrict them from any career path they may desire to pursue. Second, I believe that with children therapy should focus on reducing stuttering characteristics. However, once stuttering has persisted into adulthood I too think it is really important that therapy focuses not only on reducing or managing the stuttering characteristics but also how the individual feels about their speech or fluency. Being that you are a PWS and an SLP, in what ways do you think being a PWS has impacted how you do intervention with child or adults who stutter?

  46. Hello Mr. Stechel,
    Thank you for your thoughtful insight on this subject. I am a graduate student and am only now understanding the differing opinions on fluency. Your paper has given me an insight to the feelings and thoughts surrounding fluency from a first-person perspective. I feel that I will be able to have a better understanding of this subject and the pride associated with both sides of the argument with my future patients because of your paper.

    Thank you,

    Nolan

  47. Very interesting! Like a pendulum, we often move from one extreme position to the other: From the most desirable therapy goal to a Curse word! I am sure, the “truth” and the “peace” lies somewhere in the middle. That Merriam-Webster definition changes the whole thing. It came as a surprise to me too; I thought fluency means- speaking with a flow…
    In fact, that definition hints at “Communication” (exchange of meanings) being the crux of the entire debate. Whether we stutter easily (and with pride) or manage a good flow, using some fluency shaping technique – end of the day, we want to be understood. We also want to relate to others in an easier relationship. We, as pws, want to look at the entire system, the context – and be at peace with the totality. Fluency paradigm, unfortunately, did not consider this broader context – enough, imo. It focused just on the speaker, just on the act of “talking”, not listening etc. In India, in TISA, we are trying to look at the big picture, focus on communication, connect with others through self-help and be at peace with ourselves (through acceptance) .. as they say- the world is only a mirror.
    Thanks for sharing!

  48. Hello Frank!
    I am a graduate student who also listens to Stutter Talk, and I appreciate your points of view of this subject. It is good to hear another side of the argument, especially one with a more moderate bearing. There is certainly room in the world for everyone to have their own approach based on their needs.
    Thank you so much for the insightful and well-written thoughts!
    -Kevin

  49. Hello Frank,
    Thank you for sharing your insight and providing a different outlook on stuttering and fluency. I am a first year graduate student in a speech-language pathology program, and I think that viewing fluency in this way could potentially shed some light on therapy approaches. For example, helping a PWS learn strategies on how to “stutter more easily”, rather than obtain fluency. I really enjoyed this paper, and was interested to see how PWSs can view the word “fluency” differently. I feel that it is important to understand how each PWS feels about this and that it should be kept in mind when therapy techniques are considered. Do you think that the first step in promoting this mindset is to promote pride and acceptance?

  50. Hi Frank,
    I have never listened to Stutter Talk, but after reading your entry would like to read more about what you have to say. I had never thought of the term fluency as having a negative connotation, but definitely see your point regarding stuttering pride. I also liked the point you made about identifying yourself as a stutterer, even though you are 80 – 90% fluent. It really is all in how we identify ourselves. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I look forward to checking out Stutter Talk.
    Wendy