| Most stutterers initially look to speech therapy in | | | | speech, including stuttering. |
| order to reduce stuttering behaviours. They | | | | - I feel more comfortable when I speak. |
| desire the primary outcome of rapid reduction in | | | | - I like the way I sound. |
| stuttering dysfluencies. Basing "success" on merely | | | | - My speech has become more fluent. |
| reducing the frequency of stuttering is often not | | | | - I am independently able to employ the technique |
| very realistic. Speech Pathologists agree that | | | | and strategies appropriately. |
| successful therapy must integrate aspects of | | | | - I have an increased understanding of stuttering |
| cognitive and affective change. | | | | and fluency. |
| The preferred treatment outcome is that the | | | | - I have an increased ability to cope with variability |
| client will demonstrate feelings, behaviours and | | | | of stuttering and relapse. |
| thinking that lead to improved communicative | | | | - I feel more confident within myself. |
| performance and satisfaction with the therapy | | | | - I am better able to reach my educational |
| process. 'Successful' treatment addresses the | | | | vocational/social potential and goals. |
| totality of stuttering. From the point of view of | | | | As the saying goes, "You can lead a horse to |
| the PWS, stuttering therapy should result in the | | | | water, but you can't make him drink." This applies |
| following outcomes: | | | | to many aspects of our lives. It certainly applies |
| Positive Outcome Statements for Stuttering | | | | to stuttering therapy. Once the PWS has chosen |
| Therapy | | | | an evidence-based therapy program, it is up to |
| - I am satisfied with the speech therapy program | | | | that individual adult to achieve the desired |
| and its outcome. | | | | outcomes. A degree of effort and commitment is |
| - I have an increased ability to communicate | | | | required on their part... the rewards are |
| effectively. | | | | life-changing! |
| - I have an increased sense of control over my | | | | |