Enhancing Communication Techniques

When working with the speed and fluency (flow) of speech, we need to work closely together for the best possible progress. Since your involvement is critical to the success of the entire program, here are some suggestions for you and your family.

*First, eliminate as many questions as possible from your conversational speech when initially beginning fluency therapy.

For example, instead of saying, What did you do at school today? ,you could say, School must have been fun today. You probably got to do something special.

Normally, questions are great for communicating and educating. When working to improve upon your child's speed and flow, questions can cause your child stress and interfere with your child's learning slow, easy speech.

*Second, use slow, easy speech. Adults practice alone or in a group without your child before using this new slow, easy speech with your child. You want to make sure you use all the same kinds of patterns and pauses as with any other time. When first beginning this modeling for your child, you may want to exaggerate to emphasis the slower speech.

*Third, pause a second or two before answering questions from your child. This will slow down the overall speed of conversation.

*Fourth, simplify the length and complexity of speech while your child is learning this new speed. Complexity can increase later.

*Fifth, reduce as many pressures and demands placed upon your child as possible.

*Finally, encourage all family members to reduce the fast pace of day-to-day activities by providing a daily quiet time for reading, singing, coloring, or going for a walk. Keep conversation to a minimum during these quiet times and eliminate as many questions as possible.

Together, as a team, we can improve the rate and stress of your child's speech. Your child has just learned a habit of talking and we are going to help your child learn the habit of talking in slow, easy speech. Your child will also learn that speech is just one aspect of them; not who they are. It's ok to have dysfluencies. Every does!

Remember: I Know You Can Do It! Believe you can!

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