Goal: Use Fluency Shaping Strategies to Improve Fluency

Speech Modification Strategies, including fluency shaping strategies (Bothe, 2002; Guitar, 1982, 2013), include a variety of techniques that aim to make changes to the timing and tension of speech production or that alter the timing of pauses between syllables and words. These modifications are used regardless of whether a particular word is expected to be produced fluently. (Source: http://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589935336& section=Treatment)

We can teach our clients how to use these fluency-shaping techniques when they encounter situations when they are worried about stuttering.  This is a proactive tool that can be used any time, anywhere.  Though we don’t expect children to use them all of the time.  It’s just another tool to have handy in the toolbox.

Sample Goal:

Client will independently use fluency shaping strategies* with 80% accuracy when producing: 

a. Single Words
b. Two-Word Phrases
c. Carrier Phrases
d. Reading Sentences
e. Reading Short Paragraphs
f. Describing a Picture Scene
g. Structured Conversation
 

*Fluency shaping strategies to include: easy onset, slow rate, light articulatory contact, prolongation, continuous phonation

Download the No-Prep Therapy Kit:

We have a start-to-finish therapy kit that will give you everything you need to practice this skill in therapy and send home homework.  Click the packet below to open it.  Then, print it out and place it in the child’s notebook or binder.

Therapy Phases:

  1. Single Words: Client will independently use <INSERT FLUENCY SHAPING STRATEGY> in single words with at least 80% accuracy.
  2. Two-word phrases: Client will independently use <INSERT FLUENCY SHAPING STRATEGY> in two-word phrases with at least 80% accuracy.
  3. Carrier phrases: Client will independently use <INSERT FLUENCY SHAPING STRATEGY> in carrier phrases with at least 80% accuracy.
  4. Reading sentences: Client will independently use <INSERT FLUENCY SHAPING STRATEGY> when reading sentences with at least 80% accuracy.
  5. Reading short paragraphs: Client will independently use <INSERT FLUENCY SHAPING STRATEGY> when reading short paragraphs with at least 80% accuracy.
  6. Describing a picture scene: Client will independently use <INSERT FLUENCY SHAPING STRATEGY> while describing a picture scene with at least 80% accuracy.
  7. Structured conversation: Client will independently use <INSERT FLUENCY SHAPING STRATEGY> in structured conversation with at least 80% accuracy.

What’s Next?

  • Once your client has mastered one fluency-shaping strategy, you can use these same steps to teach another.  Or, you can help your client generalize this skill to situations where he/she feels the need for some extra help with fluency.

Supplemental Materials

Here are some other resources that may help you when working on this skill:

Fluency Shaping Worksheets
Additional worksheets for teaching and practicing a variety of fluency-shaping strategies.

Desensitization Prompts for Stuttering
It can sometimes be helpful for our fluency clients to desensitize to stuttering by stuttering on purpose in progressively more difficult settings.  This hierarchy of prompts will help them do that.

Training Videos:

Need some extra help on treating this skill?  Check out these related training videos:

Webinar Recordings:

If you need some in-depth information related to this skill, check out our related webinar recording(s):

Resources, Tools, and Training for Speech-Language Professionals

*** The SLP Solution is for informational and educational purposes only and does not provide medical or psychological advice.  We provide general resources but cannot tell you exactly what should be done for a specific client.  Every client is different and your clinical judgement should be used when making decisions about specific individuals.

 

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