Practical Thoughts Blog

The "Deep Breath" Dilemma

The "Deep Breath" Dilemma

This blog helps speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in their work with students who stutter. SLPs often feel confused about how to "un-train" deep breathing for students who have been instructed to take a deep breath before talking.

Read more

What is Verbal Diversity?™

What is Verbal Diversity?™

The Emergence of Verbal Diversity™ Before we delve into the concept of "verbal diversity," it's essential to understand the background of stuttering in society. In brief, stuttering has historically been viewed as a flaw, a burden, or something that needed to be "fixed." People who stutter have been subjected to therapies aimed at eliminating their disfluencies. This type of therapy has frequently led to frustration, low...

Read more

Fluency Focus: A Perspective from a Person Who Stutters

Fluency Focus: A Perspective from a Person Who Stutters

Reuben Schuff shared his experiences with stuttering therapy and highlights key points for speech-language pathologists to consider: focus not on the expectation of fluency but on the development of thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors of a person who is an effective, efficient, and joyful communicator!

Read more

"Next Time, Try to Be More Fluent"

"Next Time, Try to Be More Fluent"

Speech-language pathologist Allison Ladavat shares her experiences as a person who stutters in graduate school. Learn critical lessons about how we, as SLPs, need to change our own attitudes about stuttering.

Read more

Guest Blog - Acceptance of Stuttering: One Stutterer's Perspective

Guest Blog - Acceptance of Stuttering: One Stutterer's Perspective

A guest blog post by Lee Reeves, DVM Years ago, an SLP friend of mine asked how I would define acceptance. My response to his request led to an article for Letting Go, the official newsletter of the National Stuttering Association. I have shared my thoughts regarding stuttering acceptance (or what I now refer to as “coming to terms with stuttering”) in keynote speeches, presentations...

Read more

Stuttering Therapy Resource Blog Image Using the Phone

How do I help my client be more fluent on the phone?

Talking on the phone is commonly cited as one of the hardest challenges for people who stutter. Here are some tips for overcoming this challenge and helping speakers experience greater ease and communication effectiveness in this most difficult situation.

Read more