commentr/StutterNovember 30, 2023

Content

I underwent a two-month therapy program where my therapist introduced and guided me through various techniques, **including pausing after every two words, speaking slowly, utilizing the exaggeration technique (with light contact and vowel elongation), and adapting a flexible rate**. To reinforce these methods, I dedicated time to reading essays while applying the learned techniques daily morinig (for 10 mim). Joining a Stamurai group call on a daily basis proved immensely beneficial, providing a supportive environment for practice. Taking my progress further, I engaged in conversations with random individuals on Discord, particularly in the Anime Soul Discord group. there were moments of hesitation, where I'd challenge myself by pronouncing challenging words like "pro.pro.probability" "ch .... .. choloform" before swiftly moving to another channel due to embarrassment. Discord, with its anonymity and easy username changes, became a safe and effective platform for approximately 4-5 hours of daily interaction with strangers it was fun ,there were instances when the excitement took over, causing me to momentarily forget about my speech techniques. and I surely bring it back when I remember it or get stuck because of not using it . Additionally, I discovered and participated in a Discord community dedicated to stuttering , expanding my network for continued practice. The breakthrough came after around 4-5 months of consistent virtual conversation practice when I realized I hadn't stuttered in a month. However, it's crucial to note that this progress was confined to online interactions, and practical face-to-face interactions were yet to be tested. Upon entering college, initial challenges surfaced as my practice had primarily been in virtual settings. Undeterred, I persisted in daily practices, reading passages, and engaging in slow conversations with introverted peers. Over the next 3-4 months, I gradually reached a point where I could confidently sustain extended and meaningful conversations at a moderate pace with individuals in my college community

Themes

Coping & AdvocacyTherapy & Professional

Subthemes

Fluency TechniquesMindfulness & BreathingTherapy Experiences