Stuttering, also known as Stammering, can be a challenging and isolating experience. The fear of speech blocks, avoidance of certain words, and the anxiety of public speaking can greatly affect the lives of those who stutter. If you’re a person who stutters (PWS), you might have come across various speech therapies and techniques aimed at helping you overcome this condition. One such approach that has been gaining traction is the Anti-Panic Short Course, offered by Lee G. Lovett and the World Stop Stuttering Association.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the essence of the Anti-Panic Short Course, exploring its core principles and how it can empower PWS to regain control over their speech and find their path to fluent communication.
Understanding the Importance of Crutches
One of the primary aspects of the Anti-Panic Short Course is the utilization of “Crutches.” These Crutches serve as tools and techniques designed to help PWS navigate speech situations more fluently and confidently. However, it’s crucial to understand that merely knowing about these Crutches is not enough. The true test of their effectiveness comes in high-pressure situations when the PWS must rely on them to maintain fluent speech.
Learning to employ the Crutches effectively is a process that requires practice, dedication, and time. Lee G. Lovett emphasizes that these Crutches need to be ingrained in your speech patterns to become second nature. This means that they should be used consistently, even when you don’t feel you need them. Mastery of these Crutches takes days or weeks of continuous practice, and it’s essential to grasp the full range of options they provide.
A Case of Panic and How to Overcome It
To illustrate the significance of mastering the Crutches, let’s look at a real-life example. Imagine a college student in New York City who has been practicing these techniques for two weeks with no significant stuttering incidents except one unfortunate situation. During a two-minute presentation, the student hit a roadblock when encountering the word “region.” This small stumble triggered a full-block shutdown for the second half of the presentation.
This is a classic case of a “First Feared Word” issue, which, in many cases, can be relatively easy to overcome. The student had the knowledge and tools to avoid this problem but chose not to use them. Lee G. Lovett identified several Crutches the student could have employed, including changing the problematic word, using extreme pronunciation, inserting other words before the challenging one, or employing voice modulation. The student could have easily overcome this hurdle and continued speaking fluently.
However, the critical factor here was panic. The student, under pressure, allowed panic to take over, abandoned the Crutches, and effectively chose to stutter. It’s a stark reminder that knowing the Crutches and mastering them under pressure are two different things.
Mastering Crutches for Panic Situations
To excel under pressure and avoid panic situations, it’s essential to master the Crutches provided in the Anti-Panic Short Course. Crutch 11, in particular, embodies several key techniques that are invaluable when faced with panic-inducing speech situations.
The Anti-Panic Short Course encourages you to practice these Crutches extensively where you are fluent until you can use them effortlessly and transition between them seamlessly. For instance, Crutch 11 recommends speaking in short bursts, utilizing extreme pronunciation, voice-linkage, changed voice registers, and modulation. These techniques can help you tackle problem words and maintain fluent speech.
The critical aspect here is that speaking in short bursts is a powerful tool to keep stuttering at bay. It ensures that you don’t give “Satan Stuttering” an opportunity to disrupt your speech. Short bursts are not only effective but also convey a sense of control, calm, and measured speech.
Additionally, the course advises taking intentional pauses between speech bursts, allowing you to breathe and collect your thoughts. This deliberate hesitation helps you manage your speech flow effectively.
Moreover, the program suggests using soft voice (moving between soft and loud whisper) as a way to maintain fluent speech. Speaking softly typically experiences less pressure to stutter, and this practice can help build confidence and control.
The ultimate goal when you’re under pressure is to avoid all stutters and blocks. The Crutch 11 Game Plan emphasizes stopping before forcing a block, taking a two- or three-count, speaking in short bursts, and employing voice-linkage, extreme pronunciation, and changed voice registers. This comprehensive strategy keeps panic and stuttering at bay.
The Journey to Mastery: Practice and Determination
The Anti-Panic Short Course acknowledges that mastering these Crutches takes time and dedicated practice. It’s important to practice in fluent situations where you are comfortable before applying these techniques under pressure. The more you practice in controlled environments, the easier it becomes to employ the Crutches when faced with anxiety-inducing situations.
One key message to remember is that there’s no reason to panic. The course encourages you to stop talking, take a two-count, and use one of Crutches 1-8 on the first feared word. This process eliminates the risk of falling into the abyss of a speech incident.
Additionally, for those whose challenge lies in not just the first feared words but all the words that follow, Crutch 11 becomes your ally. It’s not a complex technique, but it requires consistent practice and determination instead of succumbing to panic and abandonment.
Ultimately, practice until you can use these techniques as effortlessly as your fingers move. The Anti-Panic Short Course offers a path to stuttering freedom, with the last 10% being the most challenging but crucial part of the journey. The course highlights that with dedication and effort, most PWS can indeed eliminate stuttering.
It’s important to practice extensively, as close to non-stop as possible, where you are fluent, with the intention to build the ease and confidence necessary to employ the Crutches under pressure.
The Anti-Panic Short Course emphasizes that, when it comes to breathing, do not think about it. Breathing is irrelevant in short bursts of speech, and fluent speakers don’t consciously manipulate their breathing. Once you master the Crutch 11 Game Plan, breathing will not be an issue.
Concluding Thoughts
The Anti-Panic Short Course, offered by Lee G. Lovett and the World Stop Stuttering Association, presents a comprehensive approach to overcoming stuttering by mastering the use of Crutches. The key takeaway is that knowing the Crutches is one thing, but mastering them under pressure is the real challenge.
By practicing these techniques relentlessly in fluent situations, PWS can gain control over their speech and build the confidence to employ the Crutches in high-pressure scenarios. The course underscores the importance of determination and continuous effort to achieve stuttering freedom.
Remember that you are not alone on this journey, and countless individuals have overcome stuttering with dedication and practice. The Anti-Panic Short Course offers a roadmap to fluent communication and a life free from the shackles of stuttering. It’s an empowering tool that has the potential to change lives and liberate individuals from the grip of speech anxiety.
