 About the Author:
My name is Faith Leung. I am a registered SLP, a specialist in stuttering treatment in the Chinese language. Currently, I serve as the Vice President of Professional Clinical Education at the Taiwan Stuttering Association. With over a decade of experience, I find myself especially passionate in stuttering treatment. Over 90% of my caseload are people who stutter, including adults and children. What I find most rewarding in my work is the unique alliance I form with my clients, journeying together to explore their stuttering. It brings immense satisfaction to witness people realizing that they have magnificent wings and they can fly up high. This makes me feel I have the power to set people free. I am wholeheartedly committed to continuing my service for this remarkable community. |
I did an interview with my client Wei Ya. Our discussion centers on this year’s theme “One Size Does NOT Fit All”. The summary of the video is “An interview with my client, a person who stutters and an excellent communicator”.
Faith,
Have you worked on the cognitive/emotive aspects about speech? Are the muscles that are nervous? Or is the mindset about stuttering that might be the culprit? Have you investigated why your client is nervous?
What approaches have you investigated with your client? Any Cognitive Behavior Therapy? Any Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy for Stuttering?
When it comes to stuttering, it’s important to address both the physiological and psychological aspects. While the physiological aspect involves the coordination of speech muscles, the emotional and cognitive aspects can significantly impact stuttering. Stuttering can often be exacerbated by anxiety, self-consciousness, or fear related to speech situations. This psychological component can create a cycle where the anticipation of stuttering leads to more stuttering.
Therapists often employ a holistic approach to stuttering therapy, which may include:
1. Speech Techniques: These focus on improving speech fluency through techniques like slow and controlled speech, easy onset, and gentle voicing.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help clients manage anxiety and negative thought patterns associated with stuttering. It can also address avoidance behaviors that perpetuate the problem.
3. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): REBT is another form of cognitive therapy that focuses on changing irrational beliefs and thought patterns, which can contribute to stuttering-related anxiety.
4. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: These can help individuals manage anxiety and increase overall speech confidence.
5. Support Groups: Connecting with others who stutter can provide emotional support and strategies for coping with the social and emotional aspects of stuttering.
6. Desensitization: Gradual exposure to feared speaking situations can help reduce anxiety and increase speech fluency.
The specific approach will vary from person to person, as stuttering is highly individualized. It’s essential for therapists to assess their clients’ unique needs, including their emotional and cognitive factors, to tailor the therapy accordingly. The goal is not just fluent speech but also improved quality of life and reduced anxiety related to speaking situations.
Hello Faith!
This interview was so informative and enlightening, thank you and Wei Ya for sharing. Do you think explaining the physiological reason that people stutter is still useful for more severe clients who stutter?
Hello! I’m glad you found the interview informative and enlightening. Explaining the physiological reasons behind stuttering can still be valuable for clients, even those with more severe stuttering. While the severity of stuttering can vary, understanding the physiological aspects of stuttering can help individuals and their families develop a clearer picture of what’s happening and why.
For more severe clients, it’s essential to approach this explanation with sensitivity and in a way that is tailored to their individual needs and comprehension levels. Some individuals may find it empowering and reassuring to know that stuttering has a neurological and physiological basis, which can reduce any misconceptions or self-blame.
However, it’s equally important to balance this information with a focus on effective therapy techniques and strategies that can help manage stuttering and improve communication. Stuttering therapy often combines both physiological understanding and practical strategies to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing stuttering.
Ultimately, the decision to discuss the physiological reasons for stuttering should be guided by the client’s needs and preferences. Open communication and collaboration between the client and their speech-language pathologist are crucial to developing a personalized and effective treatment plan.
Hi Faith. Thank you and Wei Ya to taking time to share this information with us! During your therapy with Wei Ya did you try to create opportunities for her to stutter so that she could work on the techniques she learning? If so, how?
Hello, and thank you for your question! During the therapy sessions with her, creating opportunities for her to practice the techniques she was learning was indeed a valuable part of the process. The goal was to provide a supportive and structured environment for her to apply these techniques and gradually increase her confidence in using them in real-life situations.
We used various strategies to create these opportunities:
Structured Conversations: We engaged in structured conversations where we discussed topics of interest, practiced particular speech techniques, and gradually introduced challenging speaking scenarios.
Role-Playing: Role-playing exercises allowed her to simulate real-life situations where she might encounter difficulties with speech. This approach helped her build confidence in using techniques to manage stuttering in practical scenarios.
Gradual Exposure: We gradually exposed her to more challenging speaking situations as she became more comfortable with the techniques. This progression helped her develop a sense of achievement and confidence.
Self-Initiated Challenges: She was encouraged to identify speaking situations that she found challenging and take the initiative to apply the techniques on her own. This self-directed practice was essential for her long-term progress.
Support and Feedback: Throughout this process, we provided a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Constructive feedback and positive reinforcement were important to motivate her and help her refine her skills.
The goal was to help her build a toolbox of techniques and strategies that she could apply in different communication scenarios. The gradual exposure and practice in real-life situations were key components of her therapy to ensure that she could confidently and effectively manage her stuttering.
Hello Faith,
Thank you and Wei Ya for sharing this video. I could tell that Wei Ya appreciates and trusts you. I think it is very important to have a client who trusts you. I am wondering what technique you have found most helpful to those with severe stutters. If you reach a point in therapy where you don’t know how to help them, what is your “go-to” strategy?
Thank you for your kind words and for watching our video. Building trust with clients is indeed crucial in our line of work. When working with individuals who have severe stutters, one technique I have found particularly helpful is using a combination of speech therapy exercises and mindfulness practices. These approaches can help clients gain more control over their speech and manage their anxiety associated with stuttering.
In cases where therapy reaches a point where progress is challenging, my go-to strategy is to collaborate with the client to set realistic goals and expectations. It’s essential to maintain open communication and work together to find alternative strategies that might be more effective for that individual’s unique needs. Every client is different, and a tailored approach can make a significant difference in their progress.
Thank you again for your interest and support.
Hi Faith! Thank you for sharing this video of you and your client. It is really insightful to hear from people who stutter. I think it’s amazing that she hasn’t let her stutter get in the way of her career. I loved hearing her perspective on understanding when she stutters and which muscles are stressed during her stuttering moments. It would be interesting to hear about her experience as someone who stutters in Hong Kong, as I wonder how it differs from someone’s experience in the US.
We appreciate your kind words and interest in her experience as someone who stutters. Her resilience and dedication to her career are indeed remarkable.
Understanding the unique experiences of individuals who stutter in different cultural contexts, like Hong Kong compared to the United States, is a fascinating topic. Factors such as cultural attitudes, linguistic differences, and the availability of support can influence their experiences. We hope to explore this further in future discussions.
If you have specific questions or would like to delve deeper into any aspect of her journey or her experience in Hong Kong, please feel free to share your thoughts. Your insights and questions are greatly valued.
Once again, thank you for your interest in this important topic!