PEOPLE WHO STUTTER ON THE JOB

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can be very helpful by maintaining information on stuttering so that employees with questions – for themselves and their children – can be referred to the appropriate professionals.

• The best way to approach an employee’s stuttering is through honest communication. By refraining from making assumptions about the person’s job-related abilities and skills, both the employee and employer can effectively achieve their goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PEOPLE WHO STUTTER

• The Stuttering Foundation encourages people who stutter to take an active approach towards their stuttering. This includes professional therapy as well as self therapy. The Foundation offers a nationwide referral list of specialists in stuttering and information to help people obtain insurance coverage. It also has effective self therapy materials. To receive this information, call (800)992-9392 or visit www.stutteringhelp.org.

• People who stutter should be honest and open with their employers about their speaking abilities and the areas in which they feel they can perform effectively. They should be willing to discuss how their disability might impact particular areas of their job performance, and what might be done to accommodate their disability.

USING THE TELEPHONE

Many people-whether they stutter or not-have difficulty using the telephone.

Listen to some non-stutterers dealing with phone calls. Some take several seconds to answer. Others may “Um” and “Ah” a lot. Others may be very expressive with their hands or faces, perhaps talking loudly and aggressively.

Using the phone can cause a great deal of anguish, and each person must learn to cope with it in his or her own way.

If, as a person who stutters, you have a problem using the telephone, then you may find the following advice helpful.

MAKING PHONE CALLS

Preparation

Make sure you know why you are calling. Write the key points on paper and have it in front of you when you call.

Try phoning a friend or relative just before the big call. This may help relax you.

If you have a number of calls to make, list them in ascending order. Start with the easiest and work your way up to the most difficult.

Do not keep putting off the call you need to make. That will make it even more stressful and difficult.

The Call

Quite often the difficult part is getting through to the right person. If you are confronted by a switchboard operator, for example, would an extension number or department be easier to say than someone’s name? Have some alternative first words in mind; be flexible in what you want to say. If you do start to block, stutter openly, gently and easily; try not to force the words out and most importantly remember to speak slowly.

Do not worry too much about silences; they occur in all conversations. Concentrate on what you have to say, rather than worry about any blocks. Your purpose is to communicate, whether you stutter or not. Pay attention to your fluent speech. Many stutterers forget about their times of fluency and dwell on the stuttering. Savor your fluency; make other calls when feeling more fluent; strike while the iron is hot. Fluent speech breeds confidence, and confidence breeds fluent speech.

Watching yourself in a mirror while phoning can be helpful as you will be able to see where the tension lies in your face and other parts of your body. If you persevered with a difficult call and felt you communicated well, then praise or treat yourself and remember the good feeling that a successful call gave you.

Assessing How You Did

Most people, not just those who stutter, sometimes make calls when they feel they been less than fluent or have not managed to get their message across.

If you felt that a particular call was stressful and you stuttered more than usual, try to forget it. Adopt a positive attitude; remember there will be other conversations when you will stutter less. It is not a disaster to stutter, and you can learn from each speaking experience. At home, tape-record your telephone conversations if you can. Note your speech carefully, especially the speed and the lead up to any blocks. Try to learn from each recording, and prepare a strategy for the next call. Doing this over a period of time will help to identify certain recurring problems and words.

Receiving Calls

This is the area over which you have least control. However, even here you can go part way to easing some of the pressure you may feel. Always answer the call in your own time. Don’t rush to the telephone. Again have key word options ready: your extension number, name of your organization, or even just your name. Use whatever comes easiest to you at that moment.

If you receive a call within earshot of other people, concentrate solely on that call.

Accept that others may hear and see you block, but do not allow their presence to distract you from your phone call.

Don’t be afraid of initial silence on the phone if you struggle for your first word. It is quite common for someone to answer the phone and then not speak, either because they’re finishing a conversation with a colleague or because they have picked up some else’s phone and are waiting for them to return to their seat.

The person phoning you may also stutter. Be patient with others who may be just as anxious as you and may be putting into practice some of the above points.

GENERAL ADVICE

• Practice should help you to feel happier about using the telephone.

• Confront your fear of the telephone. Talk about what it is that you fear happening and what you can do about it.

• Try to be aware of situations where you avoid using the telephone and gradually tackle these calls.

• Make the most of local calls for practice. Choose to use the telephone rather than write letters.

• Try to be the person in your household who answers the telephone.

• Openly admit that you stutter. This may be very difficult if you have avoided talking about it all your life. Practice talking about your stuttering. Many people have said that talking about it has reduced their anxiety and fear.

• Watch and listen to non-stutterers using the telephone. Listen to their lack of fluency and their hesitation.

• Give others the benefit of the doubt. If they know you stutter then they are prepared to expect some silences.

• Finally practice, practice, practice. Do not let that modern-day piece of plastic dominate your life. It is far better to use the telephone and stutter than to avoid using the telephone.

A FEW TIPS

DO NOT BE OVER-CONSCIOUS: It is usual for every person to fumble sometimes. Do not get discourage at occasional fumbling. Attentively analyze and use corrective measures in future. Do not get disheartened of the past rather try to learn and improve.

REGULAR PRACASTICE OF SPEECH ORGANS IS ESSENTIAL: Continue exercises for a year or so in order to stabilize the neuro-muscular coordination. Do not do fast reading – it might de-stabilise the rate of speech. Fast reading may result in fast speech. Do not go above 100 words per minute. Have a complete check on your speed. Maximum reading in a regulated way will control the rate of speech in extempore.

ESTABLISH AN EVEN, STEADY BREATH: By establishing an even, steady breath, a state of physiological balance is maintained and the mind remains balanced and tranquil. Practice breathing diaphragmatically i.e. allow the breath to reach the depth of the lower lungs rather than to circulate only in the upper regions of the lungs.

SPEAK WITH EASE: Do not think of your problems in expression before you speak. Take it easy all the time. Think and speak but not do excessive thinking for less talking.

TAKE YOUR OWN TIME TO SPEAK: Never hurry. Try to make your auditory system strong i.e. must listen to the sound of your own voice in every line, every word and almost every letter that is spoken.

PRACTICE AUTO-SUGGESTIONS: Imagine yourself to be the fine speaker (Which you are after this treatment).

• Avoid controversial discussions and hot arguments. Control your Temper. Avoid people in whose company you are not happy.
• Avoid constipation. Avoid over-eating.
• Finally pary to GOD THE ALMIGHTY and thank HIM for all that you have achieved. There is no end to improvement.