commentr/StutterMarch 26, 2023

Content

I don't believe in techniques. My stutter always adapted to any tricks I tried. Any techniques that ill-equipped therapists suggested were never successful for more than a short time. It wasn't until I worked with an SLP who specializes in stuttering that I was able to achieve fluency. It was a program. We worked through stages of the program. I progressed through the program. None of it being used outside of the therapist's office. I worked on my fluency in the office and practiced in private. Only when I was completely fluent in therapy was I allowed to transition my fluency outside of therapy. The challenge is finding a qualified SLP who specializes in speech therapy. ​ IMO u/George2034 is kind of in the ballpark, a bit. Using the legs analogy, the program I followed retaught me to use my legs. But you don't start by teaching someone to walk. You teach them to lift a foot. Over and over, you lift the foot and set it down. Once you have that down, you lift a foot, and you put it forward. Not all the way forward. Just an inch. And you practice that. It's all very mechanical and not at all natural. And you progress through the mechanics. And through many stages, you're eventually taking solid steps. It's very mechanical, and not at all natural. But you aren't ever stumbling. Each step is sure and certain. And you are able to cover the distance. Where before you couldn't walk without stumbling constantly, now you can walk confidently. Then you start smoothing the steps to be more natural. Eventually achieving a natural gait. This too is a process with stages. This is a ground up approach. Not a removing / fixing your stutter. It's a learning to speak again, with fluency.

Themes

Coping & AdvocacyTherapy & Professional

Subthemes

Fluency TechniquesTherapy Experiences