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How important is counseling in stuttering therapy?

Although stuttering is considered a neurogenic or developmental, there are several emotional factors that play into it. Sometimes, fluency disorders can lead up to psychosocial and emotional issues too. Shame, guilt, higher expectations play a key part in stuttering. There’s a prevalence of stuttering in about 1% of the adult population. People who suffer from stuttering disorder will have to face stigmatization and discrimination as a consequence of society. This is where counseling becomes imperative as a part of stuttering therapy. Often when speech-language pathologists work with clients who have stuttering issues, they go beyond just training them on speech techniques. It’s beyond a regular speech or fluency disorder, most of the time there are attitudinal and emotional aspects connected to it. What is counseling? Counseling is not just about providing information and solving client’s concerns or even telling them what to do. It is all about building an interactive […]


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Posted on June 30, 2020 7:52 pm by

Is Stuttering a Disability?

Is Stuttering a Disability? Stuttering is legally identified as a speech disability in many countries around the world. But is it really? When the flow of speech is interrupted by involuntary repetitions, silent pauses, and prolongations, you may be classified as having concerns with stuttering. Even as adults, most people struggle to find resolutions to stop stuttering. It’s important to identify stuttering early to minimize developing social anxiety and negative attitudes toward communication. It is estimated that about 1% of the adult population gets diagnosed with this speech disorder. In the US alone, there are approximately three million people who have concerns with stuttering and occurs mostly amongst males versus females. Neurogenic and Psychogenic stuttering is mostly found in adults. While Neurogenic stuttering is caused due to strokes or head injury, Psychogenic stuttering can be an aftermath of extreme psychological stress. Is disability the right word? As per the Americans […]


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Posted on June 24, 2020 11:08 pm by

Stuttering Treatment for Adults

Do you get stuck with words or keep repeating some over and over again or may even take a pause at certain syllables? Chances are that you have been having stuttering issues while having a full-fledged conversation. Stutter or stammer is a speech disorder that is often developmental or neurogenic. While developmental stuttering is often identified amongst children as they develop speech and language skills. Whereas, neurogenic stuttering can be caused due to stroke, head trauma, tumors, meningitis, and other health concerns that may cause temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. How is stuttering diagnosed? While stuttering may seem obvious to many, for some it is not. To help diagnose stuttering, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) must examine the patient to analyze the speaking concerns they have. They also assess different scenarios, including how the person copes with stutters, speech rate, and language skills. These close observations of the […]


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Posted on June 22, 2020 12:33 am by

Stuttering: Basic Facts for Parents

  STUTTERING : BASIC FACTS FOR PARENTS: What is Stuttering? Stuttering (also known as stammering or dysfluencies) consists of disruptions in the normal flow of speech. It includes repeating words or parts of words, complete sound blockage, sound prolongations and physical tension or struggle.   What causes Stuttering?: There is no single cause of stuttering. Research has found that genetics, language skills, sound development, the child’s temperament and environmental factors play a role in the development of stuttering.   Is Stuttering an emotional problem? No. It is not caused by anxiety or being nervous. However it can cause fear of speaking.   Is Stuttering Cyclical? Yes it is common for people to stutter more at times and then be fluent at other times. It tends to come and go and people often learn to avoid words they might stutter on. Avoiding speaking can have a negative impact on social, emotional […]


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Posted on June 20, 2020 4:00 pm by

Adult Stuttering -What is Prolonged Speech?

Adult Stuttering-What is Prolonged Speech? Most people want to stop stuttering.  In fact we pray to stop stuttering.  I am an adult who stuttered severely so I get it.  Did you know continuous movement and prolonged speech improve fluency?  If you say “III waaannt to eaaaat piiiza” you might be fluent with help but sound robotic. That is the problem. It is unnatural and hard to maintain. None of us want to be boring speakers and put others to sleep. We want to be heard and be “normal” speakers. We all want to learn how to stop stuttering. We all want to end tomorrow. When I was stuttering severely I took fluency programs that taught me how to talk more fluently and slow down to 2 seconds per syllable. I did this for 7 hours a day and then I went to one second.  I stopped at .5 seconds per […]


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Posted on June 19, 2020 5:31 pm by

Lori Melnitsky-Journey with Stuttering

Lori Melnitsky by Beverly Fortune on September 2, 2009 Lori Melnitsky has been stuttering since she was four years old. It was a long journey for her to get to where she is today: one of the rare stutterers to have recovered from a severe stuttering disorder that has gone on to become a successful fluency expert and speech pathologist in a private practice. “Back then it wasn’t talked about,” Lori says. “It was a very hidden topic and you were embarrassed by it. There was a tremendous amount of shame. I was never part of anything in school,” she says. “I went to speech therapy but didn’t speak. [My stutter] became worse and I couldn’t say my name, [when I tried] my head would jerk back.” “I don’t think many people know what [stuttering] is,” Lori explains. “It’s a communication disorder that is characterized by the disruption of the normal flow of […]


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Posted on June 13, 2020 3:13 am by

Helping Adults Stop Stuttering…

    I stopped. I never ever stutter anymore.  No more fear to speak.  Then I woke up. It was a dream I have had many times.  Not saying I am a religious person but I prayed daily. This is what I said to myself as a teen who stuttered severely with inner fears: ——-Please let me stop stuttering.   Please let me say “here” when attendance was taken. Please let me not shake when I order a diet soda.  Please let me stop stuttering.  Please let me say my name. Please let me meet someone and have kids. Please let me be able to call the pediatrician if they are sick. Please let me stop stuttering….. Is it possible to stop stuttering? The truth is as an adult it is hard to totally stop.  Even fluent speakers are not totally fluent. However it is possible to not struggle, eliminate fears […]


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Posted on June 10, 2020 4:05 pm by

What causes stuttering?

What Causes Stuttering?   (This was adapted from the Stuttering Foundation of America) Stuttering Facts and Information What is stuttering? Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak. Stuttering is also referred to as stammering. What causes stuttering? There are four factors most likely to contribute to the development of stuttering: genetics (approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who does also); child development (children with other speech and language problems or developmental delays are more likely to stutter); neurophysiology (recent neurological research has shown that people who stutter process speech and language slightly differently than those who do not stutter); and family dynamics (high expectations and fast-paced lifestyles can contribute to stuttering). […]


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Posted on June 3, 2020 9:00 pm by