I have a mild stutter...how much can speech therapy really help?

Question

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a stutter. Growing up was very difficult at times, but I got through it. I've had many ups and downs over the years, but I got through them. My speech has improved a lot and I would consider it mild at this point. I can mask it pretty well, but it comes out every now and then.

Now while my speech has improved overly the years, I still have to avoid certain situations and words that I know for certain I will block on...which is very frustrating.

I am currently 22 and will be finishing college in the next couple months and now must look for a "real" job. I have done VERY well in school with a high GPA and scholarships...I feel as if I am very smart and deserve a good job. But at the same time I constantly doubt myself because of my stuttering.

I have never taken a speech therapy course even though my parents always pushed me when I was younger. I have considered taking one now, but I am not sure how much I can benefit from.

Thanks

That's the problem I worry about. Since my speech isn't very bad right now I worry that going to therapy will make me think about it more and stutter more...even though that might be in my head.

At the same time...when I say a mild stutter...it's still there and bothers me almost daily. I mean I try to hide it as best as I can, but it's obvious that I have a stutter to those that know me long enough.

Answer 1

All I can do is draw from comparing several uncles and cousins who stuttered. Only one uncle could afford to go to a specialist and got his from The Stuttering Foundation. Back then, they didn't have a web site. Now, you can go to www.stutteringhelp.org and find a referral for a speech pathologist who specializes in stuttering in your state. The other uncles and cousins bought the book "Self Therapy for the Stutterer" because they either couldn't afford a therapist or didn't want to or couldn't make the trips to the closest one.

The uncle who became the most fluent was the one who went to the specialist in stuttering. I don't know if that was the reason or not. He may have been the most fluent if he had done self therapy, too. He has the go getter personality and was determined to reach his goal. He was the only one of the brothers who went to college; he is smart; he ended up getting an engineering job.

The Foundation also has a brochure that you can take with you to an interview or mail ahead of time. It tells employers that people who stutter are good employees. Look for it on the Foundation's web site under "brochures for all ages."

Remember that "nobody can make you feel inferior with your consent." I may not have quoted that exactly, but it is from Eleanor Roosevelt. It is true; if you know that you are the person for a good job, don't let anyone nor your stuttering keep you from it!

Answer 2

speech therapy will help,but it will also draw your attention to an issue which may go away on its own if you just forget about it!
if its really bad ,see the therapist.
good luck
ps i had the same thing and it is basiclyy non existent now,without therapy.

Answer 3

at least you can type straight.