Dream. Speak. Live. | Courtney Byrd | TEDxAustin | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

This content discusses a unique treatment approach to stuttering that focuses on embracing stuttering rather than trying to eliminate it.

Key Insights

• ❓ This innovative approach to stuttering treatment shifts the focus from fluency to effective communication.
• 🙈 Stuttering should not be seen as a flaw or weakness, but as a unique aspect of an individual's identity.
• 💭 By addressing negative thoughts and beliefs about stuttering, individuals can develop a more positive self-perception.
• 😨 The CARE model provides a comprehensive framework to help individuals who stutter build communication skills, advocate for themselves, and overcome challenges.
• 🤳 Early intervention and support are crucial in helping children with stuttering develop resilience and positive self-esteem.
• 🧑‍🏭 Stuttering is not caused by psychological factors or parenting styles.
• 🎓 Education is essential to dispel misconceptions and promote understanding of stuttering.

Transcript

I I'm truly honored to be able to share with you about an approach to treatment that we've had in development for now over 20 years this approach is different from all other approaches really to stuttering treatment because we don't attempt to try to reduce stuttering or increase fluency rather we encourage children teens and adults to learn how to... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does this treatment approach differ from traditional stuttering therapy?

Unlike traditional therapy that tries to eliminate stuttering, this approach encourages individuals to embrace their stuttering openly. It focuses on building effective communication skills rather than fluency.

Q: Why is it important to address the negative thoughts and beliefs associated with stuttering?

The negative thoughts and beliefs can lead to deep-seated insecurities and hinder individuals' communication and self-expression. By addressing them, individuals can develop a more positive self-perception and overcome obstacles.

Q: How does the CARE model help individuals who stutter?

The CARE model focuses on communication, advocacy, resiliency, and education. It helps individuals build their communication skills, advocate for themselves, develop resilience to overcome challenges, and educate others about stuttering.

Q: Can children benefit from this treatment approach?

Yes, children can benefit greatly from this approach. By teaching them at a young age to embrace their stuttering, build communication skills, and be advocates for themselves, they can develop resilience and live fulfilling lives.

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses a unique approach to stuttering treatment that focuses on encouraging individuals to stutter openly, rather than trying to reduce stuttering or increase fluency. The approach, developed over 20 years, is informed by the lived experiences of thousands of people who stutter. The speaker shares personal stories and examples to demonstrate the negative impact of traditional approaches and the benefits of embracing stuttering as a natural part of communication.

Questions & Answers

Q: How is this approach to stuttering treatment different from others?

This approach diverges from traditional methods by not attempting to reduce stuttering or increase fluency. Instead, it encourages individuals to embrace their stuttering and learn to communicate openly without defining their lives by the fluency of their speech. It focuses on accepting and working with stuttering as a natural part of communication.

Q: How did the speaker's approach evolve over time?

The speaker shares a personal story of a young man who stuttered significantly and sought therapy to become fluent. Despite practicing diligently in clinical settings, the young man continued to stutter in real-life situations. The speaker acknowledges that the traditional approach they used with this individual was ineffective and made him feel like a failure. This experience prompted the speaker to search for a different approach informed by the lived experiences of people who stutter.

Q: What is the "iceberg of stuttering"?

The iceberg of stuttering refers to the development of negative thoughts, feelings, reactions, and beliefs that are connected to the negative experiences of stuttering. Over time, the internal and external pressure to conform to fluency, along with the negative reactions and stereotypes associated with stuttering, lead to the formation of this "iceberg," with stuttering being just the tip.

Q: What are some negative thoughts commonly experienced by people who stutter?

People who stutter often experience negative thoughts such as feeling judged, thinking others will think badly of them, wanting conversations to end quickly, wishing they could be "normal," feeling frustrated, and thinking they should be better at speaking fluently by now. These negative thoughts can develop over time as a result of the pressure to conform to fluency and the negative experiences associated with stuttering.

Q: How does this approach address the negative thoughts associated with stuttering?

The speaker describes a care model that focuses on building communication, advocacy, resiliency, and education. By teaching individuals who stutter to communicate openly from a young age, engaging in advocacy, developing resiliency, and educating others about stuttering, they can overcome the negative thoughts and stereotypes associated with stuttering. This empowers them to embrace their stutter and communicate effectively without feeling the need to apologize or be ashamed.

Q: How does communication play a role in this approach?

In this approach, communication is redefined to show that fluency does not equate to effective communication. Traditional methods often involve avoiding situations where fluency may be a challenge. Instead, this approach encourages individuals to communicate openly, even if they stutter on every word, as they can still be effective communicators. By providing opportunities to develop pragmatic skills and challenging the belief that fluency is necessary for effective communication, individuals who stutter can thrive.

Q: How does advocacy fit into the care model?

Advocacy is an essential component of the care model. Many individuals who stutter instinctively apologize for their stuttering, reinforcing negative stereotypes and confirming the belief that stuttering is due to nervousness or anxiety. By teaching individuals to advocate for themselves and talk about their stuttering in an empowering way, they can challenge stereotypes and change others' perspectives. This helps to break down barriers, improve understanding, and combat discrimination.

Q: How does building resiliency factor into this approach?

Stuttering can be challenging and can lead to negative experiences, discrimination, and feelings of shame. Building resiliency is crucial to overcoming these challenges and not letting them impact one's self-esteem or ability to engage in communicative exchanges. By developing resiliency, individuals who stutter can face difficult situations and seek out opportunities for meaningful communication rather than avoiding them out of fear or discomfort.

Q: What is the role of education in this approach?

Education plays a vital role in dispelling misinformation about stuttering. The speaker highlights that stuttering is neurophysiological, not psychological, and that there is evidence of a genetic transmission of stuttering. This underscores the fact that there is nothing individuals or their parents have done or can do to cause stuttering. Education also involves teaching parents to explicitly express their love and acceptance for their child's speech and showing them that stuttering will not hinder their ability to live fulfilling lives.

Q: How does the speaker emphasize the importance of early intervention?

The speaker shares personal experiences and stories of young children who have benefited from this approach at a young age. By teaching children to embrace stuttering and communicate openly from the start, they can avoid the development of negative beliefs and habits associated with stuttering. Early intervention empowers children to build confidence, advocate for themselves, and develop strong communication skills from a young age, preventing the formation of the "iceberg of stuttering."

Takeaways

This approach to stuttering treatment focuses on embracing stuttering as a natural part of communication and empowering individuals who stutter to communicate openly, advocate for themselves, build resiliency, and educate others about stuttering. It challenges traditional methods that aim to reduce stuttering or increase fluency, instead prioritizing effective communication without the need for fluency. By providing support from a young age, individuals who stutter can overcome negative thoughts and stereotypes, live fulfilling lives, and be their own stuttering cheerleaders.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The traditional approach to stuttering treatment aims to reduce stuttering and increase fluency, but this approach encourages individuals to openly embrace their stuttering.

• The content highlights the negative impact of trying to suppress stuttering and the development of the "iceberg of stuttering," which includes negative thoughts and beliefs about communication.

• The CARE model is introduced, which focuses on communication, advocacy, resiliency, and education to help individuals who stutter build effective communication skills and positive self-perception.