Can drugs help stuttering? Reda this interesting post:http://stutterstories.blogspot.com/2009/01/reasons-i-stopped-taking.htmlI have tried anti-anxiety drugs- like Alprax (alprazolam). Yes, they reduce the anxiety. Make you feel as if nothing matters. But they also reduce your initiative. Dulls you. So, if the stress is too much, a small dose occasionally might help. But, it does not offer long term […]
Hi, About a couple of years ago, I decided to try DAF, and see whether it really helps. Now the Speecheasy device is really expensive (about USD 5000), so I thought of an alternative – to go for Windows Mobile version of DAF software, and use a bluetooth head-set with my mobile. I downloaded the […]
We have been hearing a lot about hypnotism at our Chennai chapter. No single cause has been identified for stammering and therefore anything and everything can help to some extent for a short while, especially if you believe it is going to help. Example: A vitamin tablet can lower your headache if it is given […]
My birthday is approaching (01st March) and I have been thinking of gifting myself an iPhone. But I wasn’t able to comprehend how I will justify spending 25K on something essentially non-essential in these recessionary times to my wife. Well it looks like there is one justifiable reason 🙂 Scientists at Hollins Communications Research Institute […]
Many SHG facilitators often worry- what do we do in SHG meetings week after week? We have done all those 3 minutes introductions and reading the book etc etc. What new can we do?Hetal has contributed a very usefukl link. Manny of these activities I have conducted perosnally in different settings and each one of […]
After a long gap TISA Mumbai Chapter held its 2nd meeting at Shivaji Park between 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m..Four members were present at the meeting, 1) Ajit2) Ashish (New Member)3) Rajkumar (New Member)4) Venu Here are the minutes of the meeting, 1) Excessive thinking and not able to sharing it with others can lead […]
Received this link, through Dr Akash. It gives list of Indian SLPs specialising in stammering.http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=298
Here are two more therapy ideas from David Ward’s book “Stuttering and Cluttering”. We need to remember that most of these ideas take lot of courage and long time to completely unfold at practical level. Yes, if you have a support of a Self help group, there is nothing like it. SHG is the right […]
Here is an excerpt, adapted from “Stuttering and Cluttering”, a book by David Ward. It discusses advantages of group therapy, which can be both facilitated by an SLP or equally well by an older PWS. “..Commonplace in adult therapy approaches, group therapy is also used by some clinicianswith adolescents and older primary school children. With […]
Here is a technique from David Ward’s book “Stuttering and Cluttering”. I have used it some and it teaches you to remain calm when it is MOST needed- ie. when you are stuttering. Once you learn this, then you can build other technique on top of it- like block modification, eye contact etc. First practice […]
I came across a thought somewhere: PWS often lack self-awareness, in the sense that they are acutely aware of the other (the audience reaction, real, imagined or feared) but no awareness of what is going on in their own bodies (throat, chest, mouth, face etc) or in their own minds (expectations of failing, fear, biases, […]
Here is a very interesting transcript of a phone interview with a recovered PWS; Some significant features in this story are: sometime a deeper change in life (changing jobs, city, friends etc) can help; self-knowledge, calmness and looking inwards can also help.. and what about Martial arts like Karate? Read on this very frank and […]
Stuttering is a big issue for the PWS/ CWS. For academics and therapists, can it have the same significance and personal meaning, if they dont stutter themselves? For some sincere souls, yes. But by and large, medical authorities tend to think the way they were trained ten years ago- in their formative yearsas clinicians. Hence, […]
Eric McSherry has guts to do self advocacy.. Many PWS would love to do it. This child from Massachussets can teach us something. Encouraged by his teacher, he goes to classes and educates children about stammering and how they should respond to it. Here is the complete article:http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/lifestyle/health_and_environment/x1016923564/Teen-explains-stuttering-in-order-to-educate
This very interesting write up from Stein Fibiger captures stammering from ancient times to present era and critiques various approaches to stammering therapy – from quacks to Wendel Johnson, Van Riper, Mistress Leigh to Bryngelson…A good read for everyone.http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad11/papers/fibiger11.html
Uncommon changes among common men are always fascinating and fit subject for deeper inquiry. How does a person do a U-turn? at the attitude level? is it just a ‘ripe time’ factor? We will have only theories but there is something which defies all attempts at analysis and categorization of such changes. Here is one […]
“..People who stutter report greater success with speech treatment that focuses on attitudes than on speech modification। And active participation in self-help activities appears to reduce the negative life impacts of stuttering. These were among the findings in a survey conducted last year by the National Stuttering Association (NSA)..”Please note – role of Attitude and […]
Someone has left a comment (anonymous, no email ID and poor choice of words!) questioning the concept of ‘cure’ from stammering. This has made me think deeply and pen following thoughts. From mainstream medical perspective, there can be many kinds of cure: bacteriological, symptomatic, functional etc. If the sick person has been able to reach […]
We have been reading some accounts of recovery from stuttering mindset.. One common thread appears to be: freedom from shame and fear of stuttering. Many of us focus too much on fluency, speech techniques, breathing, eye contact etc. but not enough on these deeper pervasive issues- attitude and emotions. Dr Sheehan’s iceberg model also talks […]