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Description

 

Tactical Tools (Word prefixes and linkages)

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This is a simple and effective tool to avoid a first letter or syllable stutter by putting a prefix (sound) directly ahead of the feared word.  Simply add a sound the beginning of a word or sentence like “aaa” and directly link to next sound with no space in between – My name is "aaaMichael"

 

You can also link words, not allowing any space in between words.  For example, in the sentence "The first President was George Washington" some people who stutter might fear the words "First", President" and George".  You can link feared words with the previous words.  For example: “Thefirstpresident wasgeorge washington” This 6 word sentence can be pronounced in 3 words using word linkage.

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Additionally, you can use two tools and add a prefix and skip first letter of feared word - "aaaichael" or "I'michael"

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If you don’t allow any space between sounds, you can get through a block.  Linking words together takes some practice, incorporate into daily reading out loud and practice it and use it along with your other tools.

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Refuse to get stuck, make it a game, make it fun!  Start building positive memories and your confidence will quickly grow. 

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Training Plan

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Build Positive Speech Memories

Mastering the StutterMind Tools will enable you to avoid any stutter.  Because many of the StutterMind Tools will be new to you, they will require a significant amount of practice for them to be used without hesitation and with confidence.  Learning, practicing and using the Tools to avoid any stutter will create new fluent speaking brain neuropathways.  Incorporate the Word Prefixes and Linkages Tool into your daily reading out loud.  

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At the same time, you must minimize and ultimately stop hearing disfluency when you speak.  Your existing disfluent speech neuropathways must be starved and ultimately replaced by fluent speaking neuropathways. 

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Actions

  1. During your daily reading out-loud, pick at least one word in every sentence and link to previous word or add a prefix - with no space between sounds.

  2. Practice using the Silent Sounds tool (skipping first letter or sound) in your daily reading out loud.  When you identify a word you are not confident you can say fluently, link feared word with previous word or add a prefix - with no space between sounds. 

  3. Consider including the Word Prefixes and Linkages in your daily Self-Affirmations

  4. When you speak outside of your "safe" speaking place practice using the Word Prefixes and Linkages Tool.

  5. Every time you successfully use the Word Prefix or Linkage Tool give yourself credit for successfully avoiding a stutter!

  6. Refuse to Fight Words in Public

 

References

 

Lee G Lovett, Stuttering & Anxiety Self-Cures: What 1,000+ Stutterers Taught Me, 2017, Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

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