Practical Thoughts Blog
Nov 19, 2024
Caregivers want me to work on fluency. What do I say?
Many parents and caregivers contact speech therapists because they want their children to stop stuttering. This is understandable, and no one could blame them for having this desire. Unfortunately, this is not generally something that they can have, for we know that there is no cure for stuttering in school-age children, adolescents, and adults. This basic fact is one of the reasons that we so...
Aug 05, 2024
"Mister Rogers' Speech"
Years ago, J. Scott Yaruss decided to study the speech patterns of the famous Mr. Rogers in order to discern if he did, indeed, speak "slower than other people." This blog looks into that study and the surprising results that can help SLPs and society. understand why "slow rate" is an entirely relative concept.
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...
Sep 21, 2021
Stop using the word "fluency" when talking about "stuttering"
For years, speech-language pathologists have used the word "fluency" when talking about people who stutter. In this series of vlogs, Seth Tichenor, Christopher Constantino, J. Scott Yaruss, and Nina Reeves challenge viewers to rethink the use of the word "fluency" when talking about stuttering.
Aug 08, 2021
GUEST BLOG: Dieudonne Nsabimana on protecting children in Africa who stutter
Guest Blogger Dieudonne Nsabimana shares challenges and triumphs in helping children in Africa who stutter.
Feb 24, 2021
How Do We Talk about President Biden's Stutter with Our Students?
Nina Reeves shares some thoughts about how to discuss President Biden's stuttering with students. No, don't worry, we're not talking about politics here; just some facts about stuttering.
May 14, 2020
What Kids Who Stutter Want Parents and Listeners to Know
For National Stuttering Awareness Week, Nina's students share their thoughts about what parents and listeners need to know about stuttering!
