Practical Thoughts Blog
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.
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.
Feb 04, 2021
It's (almost) NEVER breathing in stuttering therapy!
Ready for another rant? This one is about all of the breathing exercises that well-meaning family members (and clinicians) put people who stutter through. The bottom line? 99.99% off the time, people who stutter do not need to change the way they breathe!
Jan 19, 2021
Guest Blog: Ana Paula Mumy on Becoming an “Ally of Stuttering™”
Ana Paula G. Mumy, MS, CCC-SLP reflects on the reasons that she co-founded Spero Stuttering and developed the Ally of Stuttering™ seal - to help speech-language pathologists learn more about stuttering so that they can better support those who stutter and their families.
Nov 15, 2020
Is stuttering increasing during the pandemic?
Many speech-language pathologists have reported an increase in referrals for stuttering since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Many people who stutter have also reported that they are experiencing an increase in the frequency and severity of stuttering since the spring of 2020. What's really going on? Is COVID causing more stuttering? Read on to find out!
Oct 29, 2020
How to be a stuttering therapist (Advice from a person who stutters)
Patrick Campbell, co-editor of Stammering Pride and Prejudice: Different not Defect shares his views about what speech-language pathologists can do to become better stuttering therapists. Drawing on his own experiences, Patrick highlights the good and the bad of therapy and encourages clinicians to be open to various options and keep learning!
