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Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!dreaderd!not-for-mail Message-ID: <support/stuttering_1082200966@rtfm.mit.edu> Supersedes: <support/stuttering_1079601013@rtfm.mit.edu> Expires: 31 May 2004 11:22:46 GMT X-Last-Updated: 2002/05/05 From: Thomas David Kehoe <kehoe@casafuturatech.com> Organization: none Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Newsgroups: alt.support.stuttering,alt.answers,news.answers Subject: Stuttering FAQ v.3.22 Followup-To: alt.support.stuttering Summary: This document provides general information about stuttering, and points to resources available for stutterers. Keywords: stuttering Originator: faqserv@penguin-lust.MIT.EDU Date: 17 Apr 2004 11:28:20 GMT Lines: 1100 NNTP-Posting-Host: penguin-lust.mit.edu X-Trace: 1082201300 senator-bedfellow.mit.edu 569 18.181.0.29 Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu alt.support.stuttering:8033 alt.answers:72505 news.answers:269975 Archive-name: support/stuttering Posting-Frequency: monthly Last-modified: 2002/5/5 Version: 3.22 URL: http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/faq.html Stuttering Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ) The author of the Stuttering FAQ, Thomas David Kehoe, is author of the book http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice (ISBN 0-9657181-0-7), which provides more information on all topics in this FAQ. The latest version of the Stuttering FAQ is available at http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/faq.html This document is posted monthly on alt.support.stuttering, alt.answers, news.answers. A German translation of this FAQ is available at: http://www.hsp.de/bvss/faq_g.html Stuttering FAQ (c) 2002 Thomas David Kehoe kehoe@casafuturatech.com All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the copyright owner, except where permitted by law. TABLE OF CONTENTS STUTTERING SCIENCE Does stuttering have a physical or psychological cause? What percentage of adults stutter? How common is stuttering in children? Do more men than women stutter? Is there a genetic basis for stuttering? Does stuttering run in families? Do stutterers have neurological abnormalities? What have brain scan studies found? Do stutterers' beliefs and attitudes affect their speech? Should stutterers change how they think about themselves? How does stress affect stuttering? Does distraction work? Why can stutterers talk fluently in some situations? What are these situations? Are there other disorders similar to stuttering? CHILDHOOD STUTTERING "My child is having trouble talking. Is he stuttering, or is it just normal childhood disfluencies?" Should parents take a child to a speech pathologist right away, or wait and see if the child outgrows stuttering? Where can parents find a qualified speech pathologist? What kind of stuttering therapy is done with pre-schoolers? Can parents get involved? What's the most effective treatment for school-age stuttering? "My teenager has had stuttering therapy since kindergarten. He's fluent in the speech pathologist's office, but stutters elsewhere. He's not making progress and wants to discontinue therapy. He's withdrawing from his peers. What can we do?" ADULT STUTTERING What are the traditional therapies for adult stuttering? How effective are traditional stuttering therapies? Are there drugs for stuttering? Are there computers or other electronic devices to help stutterers? Are there new stuttering therapies? Do insurance companies or other third-parties pay for stuttering therapy? RESOURCES FOR STUTTERING Are there any celebrities who stutter? How did they overcome stuttering? How does stuttering affect employment? Should stutterers talk about their speech in job interviews? What should listeners do when talking with a stutterer? Are there support groups for stutterers? Where can I find a stuttering penpal? Are there websites about stuttering? Are there chat rooms or e-mail discussion groups about stuttering? Are there books and magazines about stuttering? STUTTERING SCIENCE ------------------------------ Subject: Does stuttering have a physical or psychological cause? There's nothing wrong with stutterers' tongues or vocal folds or breathing. Stutterers are not more nervous, do not have worse self-esteem, and are not "schizo," as some movies have portrayed stutterers. Stuttering is a developmental disorder. Some experts believe that stuttering develops from the normal mistakes all children make when learning to talk ("normal disfluencies"). While most children can pick themselves up after a stumble, some children get into a vicious cycle of trying harder to talk, tensing their speech-production muscles too much, and getting more stuck. Other experts have found that severe stuttering can develop almost overnight in young children. They believe that stuttering may not develop gradually from normal disfluencies. Genes have been found associated with stuttering, so these experts believe that a genetic defect causes something in the child's brain to trigger stuttering. Although the origin of stuttering is not clear, everyone agrees that childhood stuttering can develop into a severe physical and psychological disability. Adults who stutter can have physical symptoms, including: - Breathing abnormalities during stuttering, especially upper chest tension. - Laryngeal blocks, which cut off airflow during stuttering. - Articulation problems, including tension in the lips, jaw and tongue, and prolonged or repeated sounds. - Secondary or "escape" behaviors, such as head jerks, eye blinking, or facial grimaces. - Neurological abnormalities visible via brain scans. Adult stuttering psychological symptoms can include: - Avoidance of feared sounds, words, and speaking situations. For example, the stutterer may avoid making telephone calls. - Substitution of another word. - "Anti-expectancy" speech behaviors to prevent stuttering such as speaking in a monotone, or affecting an accent. Some stutterers are so good at avoidance that their co-workers and even their spouse or family doesn't know that the individual stutters. Even though their speech sounds fine, these "covert" stutterers can be crippled by severe psychological fear and anxiety. For more information see the following chapters in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Definition of Stuttering Symptoms of Stuttering The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: How common is stuttering in children? What percentage of adults stutter? Do more men than women stutter? Between 5% and 15% of children stutter at some point in childhood. As children get older, the prevalence drops to about 1% in junior high school and high school, and to about 0.1% for adults. Of two- and three-year-olds, equal numbers of boys and girls stutter. The sex ratio becomes 3:1 by the first grade and 5:1 by the fifth grade, the same ratio as adults. 80% of adult stutterers are men. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Incidence and Prevalence of Stuttering The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Is there a genetic basis for stuttering? Does stuttering run in families? The three genes that control levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine have been found to correlate with stuttering. These genes also correlate with Tourette's Syndrome, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These disorders appear to be caused by abnormally high levels of dopamine, in different parts of the brain. Research has not been done to determine whether all stutterers have these genes, or whether only some stutterers have these genes. If you stutter, you are about three times more likely to have a close relative who stutters. Stuttering runs in some families. However, studies of the families of stutterers have failed to find simple Mendelian types of inheritance, such as sex-linked, autosomal dominant, or recessive. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Genetics of Stuttering The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Do stutterers have neurological abnormalities? What have brain scan studies found? Brain scan studies have found no differences in stutterer's brains when they are not talking, and when they are talking fluently. But during stuttering, changes are seen in stutterers' brain activity. Left-brain areas (where speech and language are produced) that should be active during speech become inactive, while right-brain areas that should be inactive during speech become active. Brain scans have found abnormally low activity during stuttering in the central auditory processing area, and in the area that integrates auditory and somatic (body) sensation. Stuttering seems to be related to an inability to integrate what the stutterer hears with the muscle movements he feels. Stuttering appears to be caused by excessive amounts of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the left caudate nucleus. This is the area that translates speech into muscle movements. We have no conscious awareness of central auditory processing and the left caudate nucleus. This explains why stuttering therapies that rely on consciously controlling your speech (and speech therapists that tell you to "try harder") are at best only temporarily effective. New stuttering therapies use drugs and computers to alter the brain areas that can't be consciously controlled. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/Science/neurology.html Neurology of Stuttering The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Do stutterers' beliefs and attitudes affect their speech? Should stutterers change how they think about themselves? A series of studies found that stutterers can predict with 98% accuracy the words they will stutter on in a written passage. Stutterers can accurately anticipate their stuttering. However, placebo studies found that stutterers' speech is not changed when they are given a pill and told that the pill will improve their speech. The belief that you will or will not stutter has no effect on your speech. Some stutterers say that they stopped stuttering, temporarily or even permanently, when they adopted a new attitude about their speech. However, no study has ever proven these anecdotal reports. Stutterers should improve their awareness of their stuttering, be open about their stuttering, and try to talk more instead of avoiding speaking situations. These are all a part of overcoming stuttering. But few stutterers will experience improved speech solely from this -- they should also work on their physical speech production skills. For more information see the following chapters in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Belief -- Anticipation, Distraction, Stress, and Placebos Psychological Self-Therapy The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: How does stress affect stuttering? Does distraction work? Some types of stress increase stuttering. Some types of stress decrease stuttering. Other types of stress have no effect on stuttering. Physiological stress, such as elevated heart rate, has no effect on stuttering. No study has found that sleep deprivation, the flu, etc., increases stuttering. Emotional stress often reduces stuttering. Many stutterers report being "so scared" that they "couldn't stutter." There is a neurochemical explanation, based on the interaction of adrenaline and dopamine. Time pressure, cognitive stress (e.g., trying to talk to someone who is watching television), and speech-related fear and anxiety (such as fear of public speaking) increase stuttering. Several studies have found that distractions do not reduce stuttering. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Belief -- Anticipation, Distraction, Stress, and Placebos The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Why can stutterers talk fluently in some situations? What are these situations? Stuttering usually occurs on the initial sound or syllable of a word, in the first word of a sentence, on accented syllables, and on "content" words. "Content" words carry the meaning of a sentence, which is why when listeners guess what a stutterer is trying to say, they often guess wrong. Stuttering increases when saying one's name, speaking on the telephone, speaking to an authority figure, or speaking to an audience. Stuttering decreases when saying a phrase repeatedly, speaking in chorus with another person, when speaking alone or to animals, when singing, using a lower pitch, using a different accent, using electronic anti-stuttering devices, and when crawling on all fours! Some stutterers can read fluently, while others can't. Some stutterers are fluent when they try to stutter, others stutter more. Stutterers report having "good days" and "bad days", possibly due to changing dopamine levels in their brains due to diet and other factors. Some of these effects are psychologically-conditioned, such as speaking to authority figures. Other effects are physiological, such as lowering vocal pitch, or speaking in chorus with another person. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Conditions That Increase or Decrease Stuttering The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Are there other disorders similar to stuttering? CLUTTERING Cluttering is defined as "...a disturbance of fluency involving an abnormally rapid rate and erratic rhythm of speech that impedes intelligibility. Faulty phrasing patterns are usually present so that there are bursts of speech consisting of groups of words that are not related to the grammatical structure of the sentence. The affected person is usually unaware of any communication impairment." Cluttering usually includes effortless repetitions, usually single syllables, short words, and phrases (stutterers only repeat initial sounds). Cluttering may also be characterized by poor concentration and short attention span; perceptual weakness; and poorly organized thinking, or speaking before clarifying thoughts. Clutterer: "I want to go to the st...uh...place where you buy...market st-st-store and I don't have muh-muh ti-ti-time money." Stutterer: "I want to go to the sssssssssstore and I don't have muh-muh- muh-muh-money." NEUROGENIC STUTTERING Strokes and head injuries can cause stuttering-like symptoms in adults. Neurogenic stuttering has repetitions, prolongations, and blocks. Neurogenic stutterers lack the facial grimaces, eye blinking, and fears and anxieties of developmental stuttering. PSYCHOGENIC STUTTERING Adult psychogenic stuttering begins suddenly after an event causing extreme psychological stress. It's characterized by repetition of initial or stressed syllables, lack of conditions inducing fluency, an indifferent attitude toward the disorder, and maintenance of normal eye contact. Psychogenic stuttering is rare. SPASTIC DYSPHONIA Spastic dysphonia is a repeated blockage of the larynx only. The onset is in middle age, and the disorder affects an equal number of men and women. TOURETTE'S SYNDROME Tourette's is like stuttering with your hands and feet. Touretters compulsively touch objects, and some have verbal symptoms such as barking or saying obscenities. Like stuttering, these behaviors are situational, but trying to not do the behaviors makes the behavior stronger. SOCIAL PHOBIA People with social phobia experience anxiety and panic when going to parties, meeting strangers, or even in minor social situations such as talking to a store clerk. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Other Fluency Disorders The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). CHILDHOOD STUTTERING ------------------------------ Subject: "My child is having trouble talking. Is he stuttering, or is it normal childhood disfluencies? " Danger signs include struggling to get words out, with an increase in vocal pitch, blocked airflow, or tongue protrusion. The child may show frustration at being unable to talk, and secondary behaviors such as eye blinking, nodding, or facial grimacing. Fear of talking or avoiding certain words or sounds is a danger sign. Other danger signs include multiple repetitions, or part word repetitions. For example, "That my-my ball" is a normal disfluency. But "The-the-the-that's my ball," is stuttering. Note the part-word repetition, the multiple repetitions, and the substitution of the "schwa" or neutral vowel in "the", instead of using the vowel in "that." For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Childhood Stuttering Diagnosis and Treatment (2-6 years old) Or order "Stuttering and Your Child: A Videotape for Parents" from the <href="http://www.stuttersfa.org">Stuttering Foundation of America</a>. The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Should parents take a child to a speech pathologist right away, or wait and see if the child outgrows stuttering? If a child has stuttering symptoms, he or she should see a speech pathologist right away. Many parents report that their pre-school children outgrew stuttering without therapy, but some researchers now believe that these children had normal childhood disfluencies, not stuttering. They suspect that few, if any, children outgrow stuttering without therapy. After the age of 4, the likelihood of outgrowing stuttering drops significantly. Children's stuttering becomes worse the longer they wait before treatment. Early intervention can head off a lifelong disability. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Childhood Stuttering Diagnosis and Treatment (2-6 years old) The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Where can parents find a qualified speech pathologist? Start by calling your school district. Federal law requires that school speech pathologists treat children beginning at 3 years old. Treatment by your school district should be free. However, most speech pathologists are not trained to treat stuttering. Ask how much training and experience the speech pathologist has. Other possibilities include finding a university that has a speech clinic, or looking in the Yellow Pages under Speech-Language Pathologists, or contacting the Stuttering Foundation of America at (800) 992-9392 or http://www.stuttersfa.org/. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Childhood Stuttering Diagnosis and Treatment (2-6 years old) The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: How is childhood stuttering treated? There are two types of stuttering therapy for pre-school children: changing the parents' behavior, or changing the child's speech. Indirect therapy changes the parents' behavior. Parents may be instructed not to talk too fast or use advanced vocabulary; be a good listener, such as not interrupting your child, or putting down what you're doing when the child wants to talk; reducing stress on the child, such as sticking to a predictable daily routine; and/or refrain from criticizing the child's speech, or correcting, helping, or reacting negatively to the child's speech. But research shows that changing parents' behavior has little effect on children's stuttering. It can't hurt, but don't rely on this exclusively. Instead, speech pathologists increasingly advocate direct therapy. Direct therapy begins by teaching the child to speak fluently. These skills include "easy speech" (also called "turtle talk") and stretching vowels. Therapy progresses from sounds to words and sentences, from a slow speaking rate to a normal speaking rate, and from the low-stress speech clinic to real-life conversations. If a child exhibits negative feelings or frustration in response to stuttering, the speech pathologist directly addresses these problems. For example, the speech pathologist may model the child's struggle behavior, and then discuss with the child whether the struggle behavior makes it easier or harder to talk. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Childhood Stuttering Diagnosis and Treatment (2-6 years old) The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: What's the most effective treatment for school-age stuttering? A recent study divided 98 children, 9 to 14 years old, into four groups: 1) The first group was treated by speech pathologists in a speech clinic. 2) In the second group, the parents were trained to administer the stuttering therapy to their children, but the children did not see a speech pathologist. 3) In the third group, the children used speech biofeedback computers designed for treating stuttering. They were not treated by speech pathologists, and their parents weren't involved. 4) The control group received no therapy. All children were fluent at the end of their therapy. One year after the therapy programs ended: 1) 48% of the children treated by speech pathologists were fluent. 2) 63% of the children treated by their parents were fluent. 3) 71% of the children treated by computers were fluent. 4) The control group's speech didn't improve. Too often children who stutter see their school's speech pathologist once or twice a week, with no therapy outside the speech room, and no training for the parents. Even worse is group therapy where a stuttering child is treated with children who have articulation disorders (more common than stuttering) or are mentally-retarded (the stuttering child gets a message that he too is mentally-retarded). Too many school speech pathologists have caseloads of 40 children or more, with little time for each child and even less time for in-service training. Parents should ask their child's speech pathologist for therapy that can be done at home each day. Parents can also discuss with the speech pathologist whether a stuttering therapy computer would help. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: School-Age Stuttering Therapies (7-12 Years Old) Fluency Services In The Schools Or order the video "The School-Age Child Who Stutters" from the <href="http://www.stuttersfa.org">Stuttering Foundation of America</a>. The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: "My teenager has had stuttering therapy since kindergarten. He's fluent in the speech pathologist's office, but stutters elsewhere. He's not making progress and wants to discontinue therapy. He's withdrawing from his peers. What can we do?" Teenagers are adults, in terms of stuttering. Instead of relying on your school's speech pathologist, the teenager may be better off going to a university or other speech clinic. He could leave home for a stuttering therapy summer camp. The teenager may want to join a teen stuttering support group, including the ones on the Internet. The teenage years can be the worst for a stutterer, affecting the development of social skills such as dating. But teenagers are also able to develop focus, drive, and passion that adults may never again experience. Parents should help their stuttering teenager to find a fluency-enhancing activity that he or she feels passionate about. Examples include singing, acting, debating, or a foreign language. Teenagers should also be encouraged to do school projects about stuttering. These can include science experiments, interviewing a successful adult who stutters, or writing a history paper about stuttering therapies. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Teenage Stuttering Therapies Or order the video "Do You Stutter: Straight Talk for Teens" from the <href="http://www.stuttersfa.org">Stuttering Foundation of America</a>. The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ADULT STUTTERING ------------------------------ Subject: What are the traditional therapies for adult stuttering? There are two traditional therapies for adult stutterers. The first is "stuttering modification therapy." This focuses on reducing fears and anxieties about talking. The stutterer also learns to stop, relax, and move forward with his speech. He still stutters, but it's "easy stuttering," and becomes less important in his life. This can be done with a self-therapy book or with a speech pathologist. The other therapy is called "fluency shaping." This trains fluent speech motor skills, in other words, the physical skills of fluent speech. It usually begins with extremely slow fluent speech, and then gradually increases the speaking rate until the speech sounds normal. This is usually done is a speech clinic, and often uses speech computers. For more information see the following chapters in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/Therapy/modification.html Stuttering Modification Therapy http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/Therapy/shaping.html Fluency Shaping Therapy Fluency Shaping Techniques Stuttering Therapy Programs Or order the video "If You Stutter: Advice for Adults" from the <href="http://www.stuttersfa.org">Stuttering Foundation of America</a>. The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: How effective are traditional stuttering therapies? The best traditional stuttering therapy programs are 70-75% effective. In other words, 25-30% of stutterers are not helped. The usual pattern is to go to the therapy program for a few weeks, learn to talk fluently in the speech clinic, and then go home and find it difficult to maintain this fluency in your everyday environment. Many stutterers experience relapse a few months after finishing a therapy program. For more information see the following chapters in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Problems With Fluency Shaping Therapy Effectiveness of Stuttering Therapies The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Are there drugs for stuttering? Neurological research indicates that stuttering may be caused by excessive levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain's speech control areas. A variety of drugs reduce dopamine levels. Studies of several drugs found stuttering reduced on average 25-60%. The drug most-often prescribed for stuttering is FDA-approved only for short-term (6-8 week) treatment of schizophrenia. The drug has a wide variety of side effects (some severe or fatal). It may be beneficial to use the drug during the first few weeks of a stuttering therapy program, and reduce and eliminate the dosages as the stutterer progresses in therapy. The effects of long-term use are unknown. Most anti-depressants increase stuttering. Stutterers considering medication for depression should read about these drugs carefully before taking them. Ritalin can increase stuttering in children. Specific drugs are not mentioned in this FAQ because the decision to use medication should be considered more carefully this brief FAQ allows. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Drug Treatments for Stuttering The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Are there computers or other electronic devices to help stutterers? DISCLAIMER: The author of the Stuttering FAQ is owner of Casa Futura Technologies http://www.casafuturatech.com/, which manufactures electronic stuttering therapy devices. The most popular electronic anti-stuttering devices provide delayed auditory feedback (DAF) or frequency-shifting auditory feedback (FAF). The stutterer hears his voice in headphones delayed slightly or shifted in pitch. DAF and FAF reduce stuttering on average 75-85% without training, mental effort, or slow or abnormal-sounding speech. DAF can be adjusted to make the stutterer to talk slower. This can almost 100% eliminate stuttering, but requires training and can produce abnormal-sounding speech. Brain scan research has found that these DAF and FAF correct the abnormal cerebal activity associated with stuttering. A variety of these devices are available, including miniature wearable devices and anti-stuttering telephones. Several computer systems are available for stuttering therapy. These train improved breathing, vocal fold control, and other aspects of fluent speech production. Some of these devices are for use only in speech clinics, but others can be used by stutterers for home practice. For more information see the following chapters in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/Therapy/devices.html Computers and Electronic Devices for Stuttering The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Are there new stuttering therapies? The author of this FAQ has developed a new stuttering therapy, using motor learning and cross-lateral exercises. The therapy manual can be downloaded free from http://www.casafuturatech.com/therapymanual.html. ------------------------------ Subject: Do insurance companies or other third-parties pay for stuttering therapy? There are many third-party payers for stuttering therapy and devices, but health insurance carriers are usually not among them. Most health insurance plans exclude developmental stuttering. The best third-party payer is usually state vocational rehabilitation programs, if you are looking for a job. They will pay for whatever you need to get a job -- stuttering therapy, an anti-stuttering device, job training, etc. Look in your telephone book's blue pages under state department of labor. Most employers will help pay for stuttering therapy or an electronic anti-stuttering device, if you then can handle increased job responsibilities (e.g., talking to customers). There are a variety of other third-party payment programs. For more information see the following webpage http://www.casafuturatech.com/Catalog/3rd-party.html 3rd-Party Payment The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). RESOURCES FOR STUTTERING ------------------------------ Subject: Are there any celebrities who stutter? How did they overcome stuttering? There are dozens of famous people who stutter. In almost every case, the way the person overcame stuttering became the basis of his or her success later in life. Each would probably look back and see stuttering as a gift, not as a disability. For example: Carly Simon grew up in an emotionally-charged family, and developed severe stuttering and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. She was unable to express her emotions through speech, but she was able to sing fluently, so she developed her singing and songwriting. Her songs connect with listeners on an emotional level that few singer/songwriters have achieved. James Earl Jones stuttered so severely that he was "virtually mute" until high school. He then discovered that he could read Shakespeare aloud alone in the fields of his family farm. He developed his acting skills along with his fluency. Jones is now the most in-demand voice in Hollywood. Winston Churchill was the greatest orator in the British Parliament, but only if he prepared and practiced his remarks in advance. He studied issues weeks in advance, preparing responses to every possible objection. This extra effort made Churchill more knowledgeable than other leaders. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/Practice/famous.html Famous People Who Stutter Or order a poster of 13 famous stutterers from the <href="http://www.stuttersfa.org">Stuttering Foundation of America</a>. The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: How does stuttering affect employment? Should stutterers talk about their speech in job interviews? One study surveyed employers, and found that they would hire a deaf person or a person with cerebral palsy before they hired a stutterer. They discriminated against stutterers because they thought that stuttering was strange and they didn't understand it. Another study found that stutterers on average earn $7200 a year less than matched non-stutterers. But this study found that the stutterers had refused promotions, because they were afraid of making presentations or talking to customers. Stutterers should talk about their speech with their employers and in job interviews. This will make the interviewer feel more at ease. The stutterer should explain what he is doing to improve his speaking skills, such as therapy practice. He should give examples of having excellent communication skills, such as participation in Toastmasters. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against stutterers, as well as other individuals with disabilities. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/Practice/ada.html Stuttering and Employment The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: What should listeners do when they talk to a stutterer? Don't finish their sentences. Don't tell them to "take a deep breath" or "think before you speak." Don't interrupt. Let the stutterer finish what he is saying. Interrupting or finishing his sentence will make his stuttering worse on the next sentence. Don't walk away or do something else. Keep your speech slow and relaxed, maintain eye contact. After he finishes talking, repeat back what he said so that he knows you understood him. For more information see the following chapter in http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/book_toc.html Stuttering: Science, Therapy & Practice: Suggestions For Listeners The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Are there support groups for stutterers? Support groups are good for sharing experiences with other stutterers. See http://dmoz.org/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/Communication_Disorders/Langu age_and_Speech/Stuttering/ for links to 24 organizations for stutterers, in 9 countries. The National Stuttering Association has support groups in about 75 American cities. They can be reached at (800) 364-1677 or http://www.nsastutter.org/. FRIENDS is a national organization created to provide a network of love and support for children and teenagers who stutter. They can be reached at (866) 866-8335 or http://www.friendswhostutter.org/. The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Where can I find a stuttering penpal? http://www.FriendshipCenter.com is a free penpals database for individuals with disabilities. There are penpal requests from nearly 200 stutterers, from a variety of ages, occupations, and countries. The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Are there websites about stuttering? For links to the 68 best stuttering websites, please visit the Open Directory Project http://dmoz.org/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/Communication_Disorders/Langu age_and_Speech/Stuttering/. The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Are there e-mail discussion groups about stuttering? There are at least 10 e-mail stuttering support groups. Find them at http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/Practice/internet.html The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: Are there books and magazines about stuttering? Each of the stuttering support organizations has a newsletter. There are also journals about speech pathology research. The Journal of Fluency Disorders focuses exclusively on stuttering research ($60/year, 205/348-7131; Box 870242, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0242). There are dozens of textbooks about stuttering written for speech pathology students. There are only a few books written for stutterers. Two good books are: <a href= "http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0465081274/stutterinscienceA/"> Stuttering: A Life Bound Up In Words</a>, by Marty Jezer ($23, New York: BasicBooks, 1997). This book is Jezer's autobiography, and stuttering affected everything in his life. You learn much about stuttering and especially stuttering therapies, because Jezer has gone through just about every therapy program (and still stutters). <a href= "http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1568361211/stutterinscienceA/"> Knotted Tongues</a>, by Benson Bobrick ($22, Simon & Schuster, 1995). The book has a thirty-page overview of stuttering science, and a twenty-page overview of stuttering therapies. Bobrick is a historian, and the bulk of the book (110 pages) is about historical and literary persons who stuttered. The Stuttering Foundation of America (P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749, 800/992-9392) publishes books about stuttering. They are all easy to read and inexpensive. They have several books for adult stutterers, several books and videos for parents of children who stutter, and a variety of books for speech pathologists. The Stuttering FAQ is part of the Stuttering Science & Therapy Website (http://www.casafuturatech.com/). ------------------------------ Subject: The Last Word "Stuttering is frustrating and can feel demeaning, but if understood, and confronted, it need not change the quality of one's life. I would even say, that it can enhance one's life experience. You know the expression, 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger'? Stuttering is a chronic problem, but it is also a chronic challenge which calls on us to be more than we might normally be." -- John Ahlbach, former Executive Director of the National Stuttering Project Stuttering FAQ (c) 2000 Thomas David Kehoe kehoe@casafuturatech.com All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the copyright owner, except where permitted by law. This document is provided as is without any express or implied warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, the author and contributors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.