[ Contents | Search | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Rick
Date: 02 Oct 2007
Time: 21:12:52 -0500
Remote Name: 12.202.83.186
Hello Kayla, The term AAF stands for altered auditory feedback which means DAF and/or FAF. I definitely would not say that AAF should be used in all therapy situations and I would even say that it might not be appropriate in the majority of therapy situations. I do believe however that it should be available as an option for clients to explore and play around with. There are several therapy techniques like slow speech rate and intentionally prolonging the begining sound of words where AAF may help facilitate that behavior in the therapy room atleast to give the client a taste of what that behavior feels like. But again it should primarily just be used as a tool to help the person get a feeling for what to do while not wearing the device. It can also have positive effects for clients who maybe have never had times when they were able to speak fluently, if AAF can give them that feeling of fluency even temprorarily it may help them to become more motivated ni therapy. There are also many people who use AAF in the real world using devices like the SpeechEasy. You may have a client who responds erally well to AAF in therapy and decides to pursue a portable device for everyday use and that is good thing if they feel that it helps them. I just look at it as a tool and an option that people who stutter should be made aware of, and in my perspective no clinician should push any one therapy technique or approach but should have a wide range of approaches that can then be offered to the clients to best help them improve their quality of life. Thanks, Rick