Practical Thoughts Blog
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.
Jan 27, 2022
Why do people stutter less (or more) when reading?
It is commonly reported that people stutter less when reading. At the same time, some people actually stutter more when reading. Why is that, and what does it mean for our understanding of stuttering?
Jan 21, 2022
What do people who stutter want from stuttering therapy?
The best way to learn about what people who stutter want from stuttering therapy is to listen to them. This post highlights the importance of learning from people about their personal journeys with stuttering so that SLPs can ensure that we are aligned with our clients true goals and desires for therapy.
Sep 23, 2021
Virtual Reality for Speech Therapy? SOON!
Virtual reality for stuttering therapy? Our guest blogger, Gareth Wilkom is working on it! He tells his "whys" and shares his excitement for the potential of using VR to help those who stutter learn to handle speaking situations outside of therapy and into the real world!
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.
Sep 17, 2021
The ICF Model and how it relates to stuttering
Here is another blog you have been asking for! What is the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) model from the World Health Organization? We recently posted information on our Facebook and Instagram feeds and you asked for us to create a shareable space for it. So, here we go...
Jun 28, 2021
Is it true that stuttering can’t be cured after age 7?
It is generally recognized that early intervention is best for children who stutter. But what does it mean if the child is still stuttering as he approaches the school-age years? Dr. Yaruss talks about the misunderstandings caregivers can experience when their children who stutter transition from preschool to early elementary ages.
May 20, 2021
Stuttering Microaggressions: What SLPs Need to Know
A few months ago, we posted the information on our Facebook and Instagram accounts regarding the microaggressions that those who stutter face every day in their communication environments. The feedback we received on these posts has been tremendous, and you have told us that this topic was thought-provoking and helped to change the way you see yourselves as allies of those who stutter.
May 19, 2021
My Student Seems to be Gasping for Air!
Speech-language pathologists often ask about children who stutter or have fluency concerns who exhibit “audible inhalations” or gasp for air when engaged in conversational speech. In this blog post, we address 3 scenarios for when and how we might address appropriate breathing strategies in stuttering therapy.
May 18, 2021
CLUTTERING: Clarifying a Real Communication Disorder (Guest Blog)
Cluttering is a real communication disorder that has been confusing for many due to broad and sometimes conflicting definitions. Experts have been working to decrease this confusion by narrowing the definition to the symptoms of cluttering that all experts agree upon. This is known as the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD) definition of cluttering. This definition can be used as a straightforward tool for identifying, diagnosing...
Apr 05, 2021
How do I work on secondary characteristics in therapy?
Secondary characteristics may be a highly visible aspect of stuttering, but working on them directly is rarely the correct path for therapy. To find out why, read this blog post from Dr. Yaruss.