| Before You Begin To Speak... | | | | also time to think about what we are going to |
| Take your time. Don't use spontaneous speech. | | | | say. Be clear and concise with no ums or ahs. Say |
| Give yourself time to prepare, don't start to | | | | what you want to say without substituting |
| speak just because you perceive your listener is | | | | perceived difficult words with perceived easier |
| waiting impatiently. | | | | words. Stick with the correct words for the |
| In general, PWS (people who stutter) are anxious | | | | situation. |
| about the act of speaking. This leads to a | | | | During this pre-speaking process, establish eye |
| considerable amount of body tension, especially in | | | | contact with the person/people you are about to |
| the muscles that control the mechanics of | | | | speak to. This is a good concentration point. It will |
| breathing and speaking: the diaphragm, the | | | | help empower you and keep you on track for a |
| intercostal muscles (between the ribs), the | | | | well-controlled delivery. |
| muscles around the vocal chords, and the muscles | | | | Speaking is the act of verbally conveying our |
| that operate the articulators (jaw, tongue & lips). | | | | thoughts and feelings. Be considerate to your |
| By not speaking spontaneously, by not hurrying | | | | listeners and expect it in return. Respectful |
| into speech, we give ourselves time to relax all | | | | behaviour should be portrayed by both the |
| these muscles. Consciously exhale fully before you | | | | speaker and listener. |
| begin. | | | | If you have done all the fluency technique |
| Give yourself permission not to rush into speaking. | | | | practice that has been recommended, you should |
| Now is the time to take control of your speaking | | | | be feeling pretty confident with your speech. |
| situations. Speak in a calm and collected manner. | | | | Having a positive attitude is just one more thing |
| Be assertive, and put some intonation into your | | | | to focus on before you actually speak. |
| voice. | | | | Remember, good preparation and much practice |
| A pause before speaking gives a person who | | | | is the key to a successful outcome. |
| stutters time to run through good technique, and | | | | Join me on the road to fluency. |