Stuttering; Van Riper Approach/Stuttering Modification

There are varying treatments available for stuttering, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  As this blog grows, I hope to touch on the treatments more in-depth.  At the core of many stuttering treatments, though, are behavioral principles.  One of the first steps is for children to monitor, and eventually control, the rate at which they speak.  The goal is to have children initially speak more slowly, and with less physical tension.  The idea is that in the beginning, children should speak more slowly than usual, using light articulation and relaxed muscle movements so that they gain better awareness and control of their speech (not mention gain confidence!).  Speaking in shorter sentences also helps.  Over time, children will then learn to speak at a more appropriate rate, and speech will sound more "natural."

One approach that is used is the "Van Riper Approach" or "stuttering modification,"  which seeks to modify stuttering movements so that stuttering is less severe and fear/avoidance behaviors of stuttering are decreased/eliminated.  There are several components to this method, but for the purposes of this post I would like to highlight Charles Van Riper's techniques for specifically modifying the act of stuttering itself.  One method is known as "cancellation."  In this method, once the child stutters, she is encouraged to pause and say the word again.  Another method is known as "pull out."  In this method, once a child begins to stutter she should continue saying the word, but with more ease; in other words, once she begins to stutter she should try to gain control over the movement and then "smooth it out" as she is saying the word.  The final Van Riper strategy is known as "preparatory set" techniques.  In this method, a child is encouraged to anticipate when a word will be difficult to say, and work though the speech sounds gently, slowly and calmly.

As children that stutter often experience anxiety when speaking, I recommend practicing the above in a quiet environment.  I also recommend choosing a setting that will stimulate your child's speech, so please pick something that they are interested in so that they will be more likely to talk.  Review the techniques with your child at home, then go somewhere your child feels comfortable speaking to start. 

Some ideas for locations include:

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

 

 Image retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PA_Trolley_Museum.jpg

One syllable target words: ride, seat, car, track, trip
Two syllable target words: trolley, engine, streetcar
Three syllable target words: collection, education, history, Washington, museum.

North Shore Riverfront Park; Water Steps

Image retrieved from http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=587.

One syllable target words: park, north, shore, bridge, lawn, steps
Two syllable target words: water, river, level, fountain
Three syllable target words: riverwall, riverwalk, riverfront, bicycle, rollerblade.

Round Hill Park and Exhibit Farm

Image retrieved from: https://southhillsmomblog.wordpress.com/tag/round-hill-park/

One syllable target words: farm, park, hill, sheep, pond, rounf
Two syllable target words: silo, turkey, chicken, greenhouse, garden
Three syllable target words: animal, exhibit, family, attraction, vegetables

*Tip: Visit these areas when it is quiet - my guess is in the morning.
**Extra tip: Customize the practice to your child's level: words, phrases, sentences, conversation.