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Our
treatment philosophy represents the integration of
two approaches often thought to be separate: fluency
shaping and stuttering modification. The way these
approaches are used differs for each client, based
upon the client's age, needs and stuttering
behavior.
Fluency
shaping therapy, based upon operant
conditioning principles, first establishes fluency
in a controlled stimulus situation. This fluency is
reinforced and gradually modified to approximate
normal conversational speech in the therapy room.
This speech is then transferred to other situations
either directly or with the help of stuttering
modification techniques.
Stuttering modification techniques involve
a more holistic approach, looking at the individual
and characteristics of the dysfluency when planning
treatment. We consider possible contributing factors
to dysfluency, such as weaknesses in physiological,
cognitive, and social/emotional processes which may
underlie the symptoms. When these "processes" are
strengthened, fluency is facilitated.
For more
information, read about the
therapeutic principles
behind the application of our approach, or read our
articles for parents,
teachers, and
people who
stutter.
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