![[conniedugan.com]](images/connielogo3.png)
![[spacer]](images/spacer.gif){kind=small}
![[valid html]](images/validhtml.png) ![[copyright]](images/ccsmall.png)
|
![[valid css]](images/validcss.png) ![[stats]](images/awstats.png)
|
Youth and Adults
![[youth and adults]](images/communication.png)
Connie's treatment approach for adolescents and adults focuses not just on the fluency disorder itself, but on other aspects such as state-of-mind and self esteem, which are essential areas of focus in improving speech and fluency, especially in people who stutter.
Communication Skills
- Communication is a two-way event. Perceptions of listener reactions and dealing with those reactions are important concerns.
Self-Esteem Improvement
- Many people who stutter have experienced teasing and other unpleasant reactions which have injured their self-view. Sharing these experiences with an empathetic professional can help the individual begin to recover from them.
- Exploration and expression of feelings surrounding stuttering as well as modification of thoughts about talking and communicating are essential aspects of coping with stuttering.
Speech Therapy
- Some clients benefit most from a stuttering modification approach in which they learn to decrease the severity of stuttering blocks and emotional reactions to them.
- Others do well with a fluency-shaping approach to help them learn various ways of speaking which prevent stuttering from occurring.
- Usually, the two approaches are combined in order to take advantage of the benefits of both forms of therapy.
What To Expect
- Beginning sessions are generally held once or twice weekly. As therapy progresses, sessions may be held less often.
- Ordinarily, some sessions are held outside the therapy setting in natural situations. Clients are encouraged and supported as they increase their comfort in entering previously difficult situations.
- Each client is valued as a unique individual, therefore a formatted program of therapy is not used. Both evaluation and therapy are designed to meet individual needs.
- Input from the client is sought on an ongoing basis to ensure that the therapy program works for him or her.
