Stuttering in adults is a speech disorder that affects millions of patients worldwide. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to stuttering, speech therapy is crucial for helping patients improve their communication skills and empowering them to identify and control their speech patterns. When used alongside anti-stuttering devices, patients can enhance their speech fluency and boost their confidence by incorporating these vital speech therapy techniques into their treatment plan.
Anti-Stuttering Breathing Techniques
Proper breathing is fundamental to fluent speech. Patients who stutter may hold their breath or engage in shallow breathing patterns during speech, intensifying their stutter.
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Speech therapists often teach patients to practice diaphragmatic breathing, which involves breathing deeply into the diaphragm instead of shallow chest breathing. Deep breaths before speaking will provide more control and reduce tension in muscles used for speech.
Fluency Shaping Techniques
Speech therapists may introduce fluency techniques that promote smooth transitions between sounds and syllables, creating new speaking patterns that minimize triggers for stuttering in adults.
Stretched Syllable Method
Patients dissect words into syllables and then extend each syllable to two seconds. Although this speech pattern may feel unnatural and challenging, it allows patients to increase their speech rate to the standard fluency rate of around 150 syllables per minute.
Easy Onset
Since stuttering often occurs due to muscle tension and spasms, employing a gentle approach to speech can alleviate this pressure and enhance speech fluency. To ease into speech, patients can start the sound of each word softly, gradually increase the volume and intensity, and then return to the initial gentle tone.
Stuttering Modification Techniques
Modification techniques help patients identify stuttering as it occurs, changing their speech patterns in the moment to improve fluency and reduce heightened anxiety.
Cancellation Technique
When a stutter occurs, patients remain present and complete the word or sentence, pause briefly to regroup, and then repeat the specific word or phrase to the best of their ability.
Pull-Out Technique
Like the cancellation technique, the pull-out technique involves the patient remaining in the stutter, recognizing where speech tension occurs, and then releasing the tension before continuing.
Preparatory Set
When anticipating a stutter, the patient utilizes a fluency-shaping strategy to speak the word or phrase more easily. This technique empowers patients to maintain a high level of self-monitoring to improve their speech patterns.
Anti-Stuttering Devices
Anti-stuttering devices are discreet earpieces that allow patients to hear their voice and speech patterns on a slight time delay and higher pitch. Over time, this technique creates a choral effect, where patients can correct their speech to align with their peers’ speaking patterns.
Desensitization and Confidence Building
Overcoming the fear and anxiety of stuttering is vital to improving speech fluency. Speech therapists use desensitization exercises and confidence-building activities to help patients become more comfortable with their speech.
Stuttering Desensitization Exercises and Activities:
- Be open about stutters with others calmly and confidently to reduce fear of judgment and build self-acceptance
- Repeat positive affirmations to regularly build self-confidence and counter negative thoughts and beliefs about stuttering
- Practice mindfulness meditation to become more self-aware of thoughts and emotions
- Gradually engage in speaking situations that trigger stuttering anxiety
- Join a stuttering support group to connect with others who understand these unique challenges and experiences
- Celebrate triumphs and progress through treatment
Speech Therapy Techniques that Work Hand-in-Hand with Anti-Stuttering Devices
Our speech experts aim to redefine the journey to overcoming stutters and speech distortions. When seamlessly integrated with a speech assistant device from SpeechEasy, these speech therapy techniques create a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physiological and psychological aspects of stuttering. Browse our innovative anti-stuttering devices today to fine-tune your speech patterns and regain confidence in your communication skills.
