Materials: Therapy Manual & Audio Tape Skill Area: Fluency Age Range: 13 years thru adult
About the Program
This book describes very specific, step-by-step procedures for teaching clients to integrate speech-motor skills with the cognitive strategies underlying fluency. During Phase I, very discreet, oral-motor response patterns are taught one at a time. The picture combination, word list, and sentence exercises in this program have been designed to facilitate success, however, repetition is key as well. As the client becomes more skillful in mastering the fluency target skills and successfully begins to transfer them into outside situations, the clinician moves ahead and initiates Phase II procedures. Durable improvement only occurs after clients begin to evaluate and change their attitudes and beliefs. Relaxation and mental imagery activities are described later in the program. Affirmation training and self-talk strategies, likewise, are vital to the client's success. Not only must they hear themselves getting better verbally, they must "see themselves" more fluent in the future through imagery.
Phase I: Fluency Enhancement Strategies Fluency Target 1: Constant Voicing
Fluency Target 2: Normal Breathing
Facilitating Oral-Motor Coordination
Self-Monitoring
Fluency Target 3: Smooth Starting
Fluency Target 4: Let-Go
Conversation in Therapy
Releasing After the First Word
Phase II: Cognitive and Self-Instructional Strategies Guided Relaxation
Mental Imagery
Affirmation Training
Self-Talk Strategies
Note: Also included in the program is a section devoted to cluttering assessment and treatment as well as a section which provides fluency therapy IEP goals.
