What is the importance of fluency shaping ?
How do fluency shaping techniques fit into stuttering modification therapy?
Have you ever had some confusion about the difference between fluency shaping techniques and stuttering modification in stuttering therapy? If so, I understand. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that I dove into stuttering research and therapy constructs that it became less ominous. This was necessary as I was working with a higher percentage of students with stuttering than I ever had before.
Fluency shaping refers to a set of techniques that support ease of speech. I have learned a lot over 32 years practicing therapy with individuals from 5 years to 85 years. These techniques don’t prevent stuttering from occurring. So are these fluency shaping techniques important and what is their role in stuttering therapy? Simply, yes they are quite important as they support building competency in handling stuttering events. This can be incorporated into stuttering modification therapy which encompasses the practice of compassionately and individually supporting persons in understanding stuttering, coping with its effects, facilitating self-acceptance, and teaching them to stutter more easily. Strategies to stutter easier include fluency shaping techniques. It is essential to understand that stuttering therapy is unique to each individual while the therapy practices discussed here are not exclusive to stuttering treatment.
The fluency shaping techniques of easy onset, light contact, rate/pacing, and pausing/phrasing do one of two things. Each specific technique either provides a state of less muscle tension in the oral region or a decrease in the demand of time. Easy onset and light contact decrease tension in the articulators and breathing muscles. Rate/pacing and pausing/phrasing decrease the time demand for speaking which in turn may impact muscle tension as well. Having these essential techniques in our client’s “tool kit” supports building speaking competence.
Thus, we are not just working on increasing fluent speech, but maybe even more importantly, on building our client’s competence in their skills to stutter more easily. These techniques address this issue. With this competence comes the likelihood of taking more risks: speaking in perceived demanding settings, with certain people, regarding specific motivations, and on a variety of topics. A feeling of communication competency can lead to confidence and increased self-esteem.
Speech-language pathologists can’t cure stuttering but are excellent facilitators in communication dynamics and strategies that support easier speech. These two skills combine to help create a therapeutic environment for stuttering therapy. The foremost objective in stuttering therapy should be to create a welcoming and safe setting to explore stuttering while building the skills to manage it or cope with it better. Pressure to not stutter should be erased from therapy, as it is counterproductive for our clients. Our mission is to advance communication skills that allow individuals to function within a community, build confidence through communication competency, and ultimately develop responsive relationships with others.
I have additional stuttering information that can support SLPs in developing stuttering therapy practices that treat the whole individual. Inclusive Information to Re-Think Speech Therapy for Stuttering lists what should be taught in stuttering therapy. Probably the Most Important Stuttering Therapy Strategy discusses the importance of desensitization and its role in understanding stuttering. Additionally, Stuttering Modification – Why Desensitization? outlines this as a metacogntive skill vital for changing the self-perception of people who stutter.
For further insightful and thought-provoking information:
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- Tichenor, Seth Dr. (5.29.21) Stuttering Variables with Seth Tichenor. SchneiderSpeech, Youtube. Transcending Stuttering Series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHLaARikGTk
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- Reeves, N, MS, CCC-SLP BCS-F, and Yaruss, J.S. PhD, CCC-SLP BCS-F (5.4.20) Just for SLPs: Just the Strategies, Youtube, Stuttering Therapy Resources