Q&A

Subject: Stuttering and tongue piercing

From Robert.

Hello, I'm 18 years old and go to college in Denver. I have been stuttering since I was about three years old and have learned numerous strategies from a couple of speech therapists. My number one strategy over the years has been slowing down my rate of speech, taking deep breaths and trying to stay relaxed. This semester I am taking my first speech communication class ever. Over the past I have gotten out of class oral reports, and I feel that I am in dire straights. Are there any new strategies that you would recommend for me? My ex girlfriend said that she had heard some crazy thing about piercing your tongue to stop speech disfluence. Is this true? I would appreciate any help you could give me as soon as possible.
Robert

Dear Robert,

Do NOT pierce your tongue!!!!!! Not only will it not help your stuttering, but it will make your speech difficult to understand. BAD IDEA!!!!

Many stutterers find that giving reports and other instances where they stand before a group are actually easier than holding face to face conversations. In a sense, you are "playing a role" kind of like a reporter or actor. I'm sure you have heard of James Earl Jones, the actor and telephone advertiser. He is a long time stutterer who uses the process of acting a part to control his fluency problems. People who stutter seldom do so when singing either.

Your techniques of slowing down and staying loose are excellent. Don't give up on the oral reports; you just might fall into reporting as a profession! Good Luck!

For additional information on fluency and stuttering problems and to find another speech therapist to help you, you might try The American Speech and Hearing Association. They have a consumer help line and are happy to be of assistance. Try www.asha.org

Solveig