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From: Ellen-Marie Silverman
Date: 10/8/03
Time: 2:54:36 PM
Remote Name: 172.141.158.233
Jill,
You asked if I use (control) techniques during my moments of stuttering. Yes, I do. I'm not good at all at anticipating them, so what I implement is "on the spot." I remind my body to relax and my mind to slow down and concentrate on exactly what I am saying, i.e., refrain from thinking ahead or recalling what was said. Since my stuttering tends to occur in clusters, I frequently say something after the first or second episode to the person with whom I am speaking, if that person and I have had little contact with one another previously, that "I have a little stuttering problem" or something to that effect to help reduce the possibility of tension I would otherwise feel if I tried to quickly end the stuttering so I wouldn't be known as a defective speaker. By admitting I have a problem, I am free to concentrate on communicating rather than on hiding!
I hope this helps.
Ellen-Marie Silverman