Practical Thoughts Blog
Jul 25, 2024
Shifting Perspectives About Stuttering
In the era of expanding our understanding of neurodiversity-affirming stuttering therapy, a first step is to make certain we, as speech-language pathologists (SLPs), are approaching assessment and therapy from the perspective of the person who stutters. Their experiences inform our therapy planning. There are reasons why our past professional practices were based upon the listener's observations of stuttering, and there are three major reasons why...
Dec 31, 2023
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.
Nov 13, 2023
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...
Oct 06, 2023
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!
Aug 30, 2023
My Experience as an SLP Graduate Student who Stutters
Allison Ladavat shares more about her experiences as a student in our field, highlighting the necessity for SLPs to become better allies for people who stutter.
Aug 29, 2023
"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.
Jul 19, 2023
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...
May 24, 2023
Challenging Eligibility Criteria for Stuttering Services in the Schools
As our understanding of the speaker’s experience of stuttering increases via research evidence, patient evidence, and clinical practice, eligibility criteria for receiving stuttering services in the schools must be analyzed and challenged.
Jul 12, 2022
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.
Sep 28, 2020
What materials or programs should I use for an adolescent or adult who stutters?
The majority of clinical materials available for helping people who stutter are focused on young children and school-age children. What should we do with adolescents and adults? Read on to find out.
Sep 17, 2020
Guest Blog: Eden Molineaux
I picked up her title about stuttering (of course), and as I thumbed through the pages, I realized I was reading what I had been thinking and saying for 30+ years! THIS is how we help peers and teachers (and other stakeholders) learn about how to handle stuttering! The cherry on top is that her book also help provide an advocacy perspective for children who...
May 07, 2020
Sharing with Students Who Stutter and their Families
Nina Reeves shares a ton of great resources that she is using in her therapy with school-age children who stutter and their families right now!
