Practical Thoughts Blog
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...
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.
Mar 28, 2023
What treatment approach should I use with a particular young child who stutters?
In several earlier blog posts, I have stressed the importance of individualized treatment for young children who stutter and their families. Now, it's time to take a look at what factors guide me toward one approach or another...
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...
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...
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!
