Progress in stuttering therapy is not always obvious; it is often not measured by a reduction in the frequency of disfluencies, but more subtle aspects of behavior and cognitive awareness. As clinician's become more familiar with their client and with the disorder of stuttering, signs of progress may be found in several dimensions. The list below offers some areas in which to look.
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1. AWARENESS OF THE CORE FEATURES AND SECONDARY CHARACTERISTICS OF STUTTERING The client's ability to accurately identify the elements of his or her core features of stuttering and the secondary behaviors they evidence. Persons who stutter typically block out their awareness of their stuttering because it is psychologically painful to experience. Thus, growth in the objective awareness of stuttering indicates a willingness to let down the psychological protective mechanisms and be more open and objective. |
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2. CHANGES IN STUTTERING BEHAVIORS Any change in or modification to the chronic stuttering pattern represents an opportunity to break down the habit patterns that have become so strongly ingrained. Changes might be modification of core features of stuttering, such as repeating a disfluent sound instead of blocking on it. |
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3. MASTERY OF SPEECH TARGETS/TECHNIQUES The degree to which a client can successfully demonstrate a therapy target or fluency technique in progressively more difficult modes of speaking. |
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4. CONTROL OF STUTTERING The person's ability to modify and gain control over their core stuttering behaviors while speaking. |
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5. FEAR OF STUTTERING Reduction in the degree to which fear of stuttering adds to the client's tension level, interferes with their confidence and their ability to effectively access speech targets.
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6. USE OF TARGETS IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS The ability to utilize or attempt to utilize techniques in increasingly more challenging speaking situations. This demonstrates the client's emerging ability to manage the 'fear' signals he or she has learned from past experiences. |
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7. OPENNESS OF FEELINGS
The ability to access and discuss feelings about self and stuttering. This signals the willingness to bring down protective barriers and begin to address the emotional components of their stuttering. |
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8. MASTERY OF FLUENCY The ability to transition from stuttering modification to fluency shaping/enhancement techniques. This emerging and fragile skill generally demonstrates a generally upward progression, with peaks and dips of success along the way. |
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9. RESPONSIBILITY FOR EFFECTING CHANGE The client looks inward to creating fluency, rather than perceiving external factors as being responsible for his or her disfluencies. Clients no longer perceive themselves as a victim, but as being empowered to effect their fluency. |
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10. CONFIDENCE AS A COMMUNICATOR The individual looks beyond fluency as the measurement of their success as a communicator. He or she evidences more poise and self-assurance is speaking situations and their personality is reflected in their speaking style. |
© Rentschler, 2001