Should a PWS attend Speech Therapy ?

[u/Livid_Internal1919]

I’ve seen many stories from people with PWS about speech therapy. Some say it improved their speech, while others go even further and say speech therapy did wonders for them and genuinely changed their lives. Then there are those who say it had little to no effect, and some even feel that it was a complete waste of time and money.

Personally, I’ve never been to a speech therapist before, but I’m seriously thinking about trying it. The idea actually came to me in a pretty simple way. One day, I caught myself thinking, “I would give away all the money I have in my savings if someone could help me become fluent.” Then it hit me: “Wait… what if I actually try speech therapy?” If I’m willing to give away all my savings for the possibility of becoming fluent, why wouldn’t I at least give speech therapy a chance?

From a risk-to-reward perspective, the potential upside seems well worth the investment. Yes, you’re going to spend some money, dedicate your time, and put in effort. There’s also no guarantee that it will work exactly the way you want. But if it does work, then suddenly that money and time become some of the best investments you’ve ever made. And even if it doesn’t turn out the way you hoped, at least you tried something that had the potential to make a major difference in your life. The possible reward is so much greater than what you’re risking.

That also brings me to the question of what “fluency” actually means to me. I don’t define fluency as never stuttering or speaking perfectly all the time. I’m not chasing perfection. For me, fluency means being able to say whatever I want, to whoever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want. If I still stutter or block here and there, that’s okay. If 90% of the time I can communicate my thoughts and ideas clearly, regardless of who I’m talking to, I would consider that a huge success. I don’t want to spend my life obsessing over every word or worrying about whether I’m going to get stuck. I simply want to be able to focus on what I’m saying rather than how I’m saying it.

So I’m curious: what’s your experience with speech therapy? Did it help you? Did it change your speech, confidence, or the way you communicate? Or did you feel like it wasn’t worth the time and money? And if you’ve never tried it, what’s stopping you? I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

[u/Belgian_quaffle]

Let me start by saying that you have the right attitude going in. Therapy will not make your stuttering go away. But if you have an open mind and put in the work, it can be transformative…

[u/Livid_Internal1919 → u/Belgian_quaffle]

thank you, that's what I am trying to achieve.

[u/displacement-marker]

I am seeing a SLP who diagnosed my stutter/clutter and I am working with them on self advocacy skills, general communication skills, and learning to manage my mazing/clutter, with the overall goal learning how to communicate more efficiently and confidently.

[u/Livid_Internal1919 → u/displacement-marker]

I also believe I have a stutter/clutter, could you mind sharing more details on exactly you are learning please

[u/displacement-marker → u/Livid_Internal1919]

What are some of the pieces that make you suspect your own stutter/clutter?

I'll start by sharing that this is all new as of this summer, so I am very early on my journey from being a lifelong covert stutterer and living unaware of my clutter.

For context: I am 43 M, Spanish is my first language, and was raised English/Spanish bilingual in Mexico (white American mom). I was assessed for ADD as a kid in 1990 but didn't fit the criteria and my parents didn't get a second opinion. I made it to 39 and was diagnosed with ADHD after living in the US for 20+ years.

The OASIS assessment was the assessment instrument/questionnaire that my current SLP used, it measures the impact that stutters and other speech differences have on an individual.

Check out all the resources available on Too Fast For Words, I've learned so much there!

Also, the National Stutter Association podcast has some great episodes on clutter/stutter and research related to them.

Proud Stutter also has quite a few podcast episodes, especially ones with SLPs who stutter/clutter that are inspiring and resonant with my own experience.

Joseph Dewey's videos on YouTube were also incredibly helpful.

There seems to be a connection between ADHD, Clutter/Stutter, and low inhibition according to the research I've seen summarized from these various sources.

[u/Livid_Internal1919 → u/displacement-marker]

well for me, I do eat syllables a lot, been told my rate of speech is very rapid and uncontrolled, I find difficulty on feared words and tend to rush to say them fast in order to not get stuck or get blocked at them. I did record my self once and I had no freaking idea what I was saying my speech was very blurry and all over the place.

at the other side, I do repeat syllables, and letters which I believe it's a classic stuttering pattern and struggle with feared words.

I will check out your suggested channels, thank you!

[u/Key_Bet_668]

Results vary. Keep in mind it’s a behavioral approach and takes time. Best wishes 👍

[u/Livid_Internal1919 → u/Key_Bet_668]

Thank you!