American Institute for Stuttering :: The AIS Intensive Stuttering Therapy Program: Goals

Intensive Stuttering Therapy Program: Goals

Stuttering/Speech Management

Though the exact cause is still not completely known, today's research is pointing to a neurological basis for stuttering with a hereditary component. It appears as if there is a timing problem in the communication of signals from the brain to the speech mechanism, resulting in a tensing of the muscles of speech production. This discoordination of the vocal cords then affects the other parts of the speech mechanism: the lips, tongue, jaw, and the muscles for breathing. The physical aspect of stuttering can be described as an over tensing and discoordination of speech muscle movements.

The good news is that there is nothing "broken" in the speech mechanism itself: all of the required parts and pieces are intact. We start by teaching our clients to thoroughly identify what they do physically and mentally when they stutter. Then we teach them how normal speech is produced, by breaking it into parts and then practicing to rebuild the system into coordinated movements that produce naturally fluent speech. In this way, one is able to develop a finely tuned sense of a normally coordinated speech muscle system and therefore, what fluent speech feels like. Other speech management techniques are taught as well in order to widen the choices for speech management and control.

Psychological/Attitude Management

Even though stuttering appears to have a neurological basis, it can have an enormous affect on one's psychological and emotional well being. A whole psychology develops around dealing with the problem and all the emotions that it creates. We'll break down this psychology into two categories: the mental and the emotional.


	The Mental Factors Thinking patterns develop over time that "program" people to expect and fear stuttering in certain situations, on certain words, or on certain sounds. The mind is very quick to associate experiences. So if someone has difficulty saying a word in one situation, he may quickly learn to believe that he will have difficulty again. This expectation and fear causes an adrenaline rush. This then creates more physical tension in the body, which includes the overtensing of muscles of the speech & voice mechanism. This is why it seems as if stuttering is "psychological"... but in actuality it is a physical problem that is made worse by the psychological reaction. The body and the speech muscle system are affected physically by stress and anxiety. As a result, people who stutter often try to avoid this struggle by switching words or avoiding certain situations. All kinds of mental strategies are developed simply to survive.

	The Emotional Factors A large part of living with stuttering is dealing with all of the misconceptions about the disorder. Parents, physicians, teachers, the media and the general public's misunderstanding leads to even greater frustration and embarrassment for the person who stutters. Historically, people have believed stuttering to be a psychological problem. Therefore the individual who stutters and his or her family develop guilt and shame associated with such a judgment. This hinders one's self-confidence and greater sense of involvement in the world. These mental and emotional aspects of stuttering are often more devastating and life-affecting than the stuttering itself. It is, therefore, critical that these areas be effectively managed as well. We work directly with our clients on word and situation fears and reduction and elimination of avoidances. We work toward a freedom in communicating and in life that is so very important. Developing a support system in one's life is also essential. Our clients learn how to open up and talk about their stuttering in a comfortable way with others. This not only serves to educate others but it facilitates the development of a strong self-confidence. Individuals have the opportunity to learn how to make these mental and attitudinal changes that will support the process of integrating new skills and new attitudes into their lives.