Electronic devices for treating stuttering and other speech disorders
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Casa Futura Technologies® |
Electronic devices for treating stuttering and other speech disorders |
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Testimonials2008 May 12 I've been out of town for a few days and haven't had the opportunity to thank you for sending the Smalltalk and associated gear. It arrived very promptly and with no problems. The textbook you have written is enormously helpful and comprehensive and I am very grateful to you for including it in the package. Grateful thanks for your prompt and efficient service, and congratulations on your book! Best wishes, Dr. Michael Bennett 2007 May 21 I'm always very impressed with the products you put out. There are relatively few who have our problem, consequently, few entrepreneurs venture into making our lives better thru fluency aids, therapy, books, and technology. I really rely on, and commend you, for what you do. Take care, Paul Brewer 2007 March 26 You've done a great job on the DVD and the book. You have a good combination of research along with your own experience. The device that we got is well thought out and well made. Ron Ruiz His daughter's device was provided by the California DDTP program. 2007 February 19 The SmallTalk really did a miracle job on my stutter, the result was amazing! I can feel it, it teaches me to relax and more calm, this device gives me self confidence! I can talk now to people and answer phones without any fear at all, also last night I attended a party, I was surprised that I can talk already even without using the device. Thank you so much Sir! Josito Dondon His device was provided by the Texas STAP program. 2006 September 12 I am writing to say "thank you" for the contributions you and your company have made to the treatment of stuttering. The web site is a generous offering of information given to the public and professionals at no charge. Several years ago, I ordered a Delayed Auditory Feedback machine from your company and saw wonderful results for my students. I used the device to establish fluency and then introduced fluency shaping techniques. I have three elementary students who have "graduated" from the speech therapy program because they no longer stutter! I whole heartedly endorse your products. Sincerely, Cheryl Horn, M.S., CCC-SLP 2006 May 10 Dear [school speech-language pathologist], When Jonathan came home on Friday I had him put on the DAF and tell me about his day. IT WAS AMAZING! He did not stutter at all. I have to tell you, I broke down and cried. It was such a joy to hear him talk and not fight to get his words out. He wore it during the evening on Friday, and all day Saturday. I think he only stuttered a total of three times in two days. He seems to be quite comfortable wearing it. It did not seem to distract him at all. We encouraged him to start speaking a little louder while he has the device on. He has become very soft-spoken with his stuttering problem. He talked to himself out loud a lot this weekend while he had the DAF on. We did not tell him to stop since he was getting use to it. I did talk to him and tell him that he cannot do this during class since it would be a distraction. You have been a big part of Jonathan's life over the past four to five years. We want you to know how much we appreciate the extra time and effort you spend with him. I thought of you often this weekend as I sat and enjoyed listening to Jonathan talk to us with such fluency. Sincerely, [mother of Jonathan] El Paso County, Texas The speech-language pathologist added: We are loving the school DAF equipment! My students are having great success with it. [FROM A PARKINSON'S PATIENT] March 6, 2006 I think you should get a Nobel Prize for your work in the SmallTalk. It is a boon to folks like myself who can't say two words without the device, and I thank you with all my heart for your caring. Kay McNeal let me read your book, and I think it is marvelous, truly, you are such a dedicated person in your field, and again, I must thank you for being so. You remind me of my son and my husband; they are so dedicated in their work (they are trial lawyers) and they are so sincere and that's why they get good results, like yourself. M.J.L. November 19, 2005 I must tell you in my stuttering group once a week there came a new member from Germany but I think born in India and with very bad stuttering. When he should say his name it took about three minutes with very big stretches in all his body. After a while we asked if he wanted to try a [School] DAF and with the [School] DAF he almost at once could speak [slowly] with no problem. That is what I every time find with the DAF. Tore Wolff September 22, 2005 Speech-language pathology discharge report
[The client] is a 21-year old male…His documented disabilities include mental retardation and…a mild fluency disorder with mild-moderate cluttering…as part of his therapy program [the client] explored use of a [Casa Futura Technologies School DAF] device both in and outside the treatment setting. [The client] is currently participating in the prevocational skills training program. As part of this training, the client works daily in food service. Some of his job duties include cleaning, putting chairs up and down, and assisting his peers with carrying trays of food to their tables.… The client was able to produce 5-6 sentences in conversation using an average rate and >95% intelligibility and minimal cuing with the use of the DAF device. Without the use of the DAF device, the client is approximately 80% intelligible.… The client is >95% fluent in conversations inside and outside of the treatment session with the use of the DAF device. While wearing the DAF device, this therapist observed [the client] in conversational speech while working in the dining hall. The client engaged in conversation with his peer workers, peers eating lunch, and with faculty and staff. There were no disfluencies noted during this observation. This therapist also observed [the client] on a trip to the post office to buy stamps. The client demonstrated fluent speech during a conversation with the cashier at the post office. Without the use of the DAF device, the client is approximately 80% fluent in conversation speech inside and outside of the treatment setting.… [The client] has been using the DAF device on loan from this department for 3-4 weeks. He has learned how to self-monitor and adjust the delay of the DAF device to accomodate his own speech. The client has demonstrated a willingness to wear the device in a variety of daily activities including work, class, therapy, and recreational activities. [The client] has expressed that he feels the DAF device has "slowed down" his overall rate of speech and that he sounds "smoother" when using the device. The client has spoken to his family on the phone using the device. He reported that he received positive feedback and support.… [A Parkinson's patient.] July 20, 2005 The package just arrived. And it seems to be working its magic! :) Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was wonderful to hear Mr. Jonsson's voice on the phone just now, so much immediate improvement although not perfect. He will now start practicing vigorously every day. At this moment he is enjoying conversation with his wife and children. :) Warmest regards, June 21, 2005 I received the device today. I'm full of joy because I tried it and it worked perfectly. My friends were surprised because I spoke normaly as I never stuttered. You have given me another chance in my life. GOD bless you and your family. Thank you very much. Madiou Emma April 17, 2005 I am a speech therapist in the public school system. I have been using the School DAF and had two students graduated from the speech therapy program who now have fluency within normal limits. I use the device daily as an auditory trainer for articulation therapy too! I turn the delay to off and turn the volume up so that the student can self monitor. It works great. Thank you for making a great product that is making a difference in the lives of children who stutter. Cheryl Horn, M.S., CCC-SLP January 14, 2005 Gracias, mil gracias: Mis padres, mi esposa y mi familia en general le agradecen por el gesto solidario con mi persona; a pesar de no conocernos; pero haber recibido el dispositivo donado; es una obra de dios. A quien le agradeci mucho y a ud. Quien hizo realidad mi sueño. En nombre de toda mi familia y en especial de mi persona; que dios te bendiga y te ilumine en tu vida y que goces de mucha salud. Estoy muy emocionado y solo se decir muchas gracias. Nunca olvidare esa obra tan grande. Atentamente. John Leon Calixto January 14, 2004 Thank you very much!! The DAF has completely changed my student's life! Over Christmas break, Jake did not want to use his headset out in public. He does not mind using it in school; in fact, the other kids think it's really cool. Without his device over the holidays he had a rough time. An adult man was actually teasing him out in public! We appreciate your help! It was good to document the difference in his fluency. I need to do this before the school will buy him his own DAF or upgrade. Thanks for all that you do! Laurie Novak September 26, 2003 I've been using the Pocket Fluency System for about 2 months now. I also have an old Edinburgh Masker from the early 1980s I used very occasionally, purely for presentations. I've been using the Pocket Fluency System much more in daily work mainly with the Jabra wired earphone which I find comfortable and effective but not as effective as the full-size headset. The use of DAF and FAF in both ears I find more effective and also seems to add a 'masking' effect as well. I've been trying the throat microphone and Aiwa headphones now. They give sound to both ears and allow me to use them anywhere. The sound is a bit muffled but the effect on my fluency is excellent. The throat mike is comfortable to wear and more responsive to voice activation than the Jabra earphone. I wear a shirt and tie at work anyway so you don't even see it. The earphones can be slipped on and off at will. I went to a meeting this morning and forgot to take my Pocket Fluency System along with me and I was so surprised at how much more difficult maintaining fluency was without the PFS. The PFS is a tremendous adjunct to speech therapy and I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to improve their fluency. Bob Paton September 6, 2003 I received my package on Tuesday and have now had a few days to experiment with the different headsets, etc. I have been using a cell phone headset I already had which has a large speaker which produces very good sound. As with your cell phone one, the mic picks up everything around and sitting in a pub is quite a noisy experience since the VOX is just permanently on. I only tried the throat mic out properly this afternoon with the Aiwa earbuds and was surprised at just how good they sound. The mic is also excellent in that the VOX truly works and people talking around me are not picked up by the mic. The throat mic and Aiwa earbuds work really well outside of the home environment. The single earbud at this stage does not encourage slower speech which the 2 earbuds do because you can still hear your immediate voice and the delayed one. The 2 earbuds seem to force slower speech. I have explained the system to a lot of people already including quite a few clients and they are amazed. I am not 100% fluent at all, but even 50% represents a huge improvement. I feel less stressed when in a meeting and can talk much easier. I am experiencing relaxed speech for the first time in my life. Many thanks Regards Trevor Griffin May 22, 2003 Please use the following if you wish as a thumbs up for your Pocket Fluency System. I've been using the PFS for approximetly 3 months now & I will say that I'm definetely getting a speech benefit out of it. When I was first looking at the product I baulked at first at the price but then I knew that I'd rather have it than not. Stuttering as we all know is not an easy problem to deal with at times & I find with the PFS it just gives me that extra hand that I need & if some people view it as just a crutch or a distraction I totally disagree. I can see that it may not work for every PWS but I think it's worth a try if what you're doing is not giving the results you want. I dont use it to make me fluent, rather I view it as a tool to work with just as a hearing aid. I see it as if we have a technology which can help with a problem then why not use it. My experience with it at work has been very supportive from my peers & they have been very encouraging, one guy calls me the security man, I just joke with it as well. My wife was in tears laughing at how she sounded with the FAF pitch on high. I said to my 11 year old daughter that it looks a bit funny eh, she said who cares if it helps your speech. David has developed the product very well & I look forward to some more smaller cordless ear sets, with the Jabra Freespeak I have had mixed results but this is mainly due to the charging components, the sound quality with this is excellent but I mainly use the Earbud at work for my meetings or on the phone. Feel free to email me with any discussion on this or in Australia, I'm happy to talk to anyone about it. Rgds........Gordon McCormick May 10, 2003 I have been thinking about you after I talked to you tonight. You have fantastic equipment and if it is used in the right way can really help people who stutter. When I went to my job interviews and wore the headset, I felt virtually no anxiety for the first time in my life. Then, it dawned on me that if I could do it with the headset, I could keep the lower tone and do the breathing without the device. Wearing the headset, also made me emotionally realize that I did have a stuttering problem, and there was no way that I could hide it since the headset clearly demonstrated to my audience that something was different. The act of having to explain it to them dramatically cut down on my anxiety about stuttering. I felt that even if I did stutter, everyone knew that I had this problem. Even though I did not get a practicum out of my interviews, with the help of your machine, I learned that I can talk, not only more fluently, but without an overwhelming sense of anxiety. It was a great experience and I want others to have the same experience that I did of being relaxed in stressful situations, totally at ease, and in control. I spoke to the Vice President of Academic Affairs before I went on my interviews. She is one of the few psychologists who I have met who has had experience with stuttering. Many of her colleagues stutter and she has worked with clients who stutter. She even knows people with other types of speech disorders who speak with a computer and do counseling, teach classes, etc. When I showed her the headset and demonstrated my speaking to her with it on, she said that it made a dramatic difference. She said that clients would get used to my wearing the headset faster than they would get used to my stuttering. She agreed with what you said about using the device in stressful situation even if it looks weird as long as I explained to people what it is. At my interviews, people talked to me more even with my headset on because I was more relaxed and came across more confidentially. The Vice President is the one who ordered the school to change my F grades in my external practicum to I grades. She said that I should have never received the F grades to begin with since my only problem was that I did not have enough clients. The F grades was the grounds that the school tried to dismiss me from the program. I was discriminated against because of my stuttering and she came to my aid. I think what helped her make her decision was the fact that I spoke to her using the device and she saw that I was capable of doing effective psychotherapy with clients. Something has definitely happened to my speech and it is probably a combination of using the McGuire techniques and your device. My friends have told me that my speech is better, Your device makes it easier for me to use the techniques that I have learned. You have the integrity and honesty to tell it like it is when it comes to overcoming stuttering. I suggest that you try and market you device to speech therapists and show them how helpful it is for them to use it as a tool in therapy and outside of therapy. Show them that it helps people transfer the speech skills if their clients are allowed to use the device outside of the clinic. Convince the speech establishment, especially ASHA and you will have your market. I will help you do this because I believe in what you are doing. Keep moving forward! Take care, Barbara Baker, Ph.D. candidate in psychology January 8, 2003 The customer who is currently using the DAF with the wires says that the unit has profoundly changed his life! (The guy was in tears over the phone when he told me this.) Kathryn Rambo, Wisconsin Universalink December 12, 2002 I have been using the device and it has been working great. I am already noticing a dramatic carry over effect. My main goal is to find a job (preferably sales or something like that I can do from home using the device since you make more money that way anyways) but to break myself into it of course I have talked to my friends. Today I found a list of 800 numbers for hotels and called them and ask them what there rates were that went over very smoothly. Every so often I will get stuck when I try to talk faster than what the delayed auditory feedback is set on which is either 75 or 100. Also when I start sentices I will occasionally get stuck…but I am teaching myself to talk the same rate as the device and to smoothly start my sentences and when I do that my fluency is at 100% when I do not do that it is at 90-95%…either way still excellent for the phone. Thanks again. Matthew Payne June 26, 2002 I'm a fifty-eight year old social worker who has a lot of people contact. I had earned my degree 30 years ago, but only begun practicing social work 15 years ago when I finally decided to stutter without trying to hide it. I had used the Edinburg Masker about 20 years ago with some success, but was too self-conscious to wear it; also, I had an occupation where structured speech was not required. Thanks to the Internet I began researching stuttering a few years ago, and became interested in your web site. I stayed away from stuttering sites where speech therapy was the answer. I have had many years of therapy since early childhood, all without lasting success. I was intrigued by the fact that your system used both FAF and DAF simultaneously, with the option of masking, and levels of controls. I ordered the Pocket Fluency System about six months ago, and also ordered the ear pieces from Precision Labs. I must confess I did not follow your recommendations of seeking speech therapy to help me become accustomed to using the system; however, I did do the exercises and read your book Stuttering: Science Therapy & Practice. Both gave me a better handle on what to expect from the Pocket Fluency System, and what was expected of me. I practiced in my house with the system for a few weeks before I wore it to work. I would call my answering machine at work and leave myself lengthy messages (in varying phonetic difficulty) using various combinations of adjustments on the system. This would also allow me to see if I needed to adjust the speed or volume of my voice. I would also call telephone information and ask for the telephone numbers of companies or organizations with lengthy or hard to pronounce names. The system works well for me. It is difficult to describe how it positively affects my speech process and my general attitude about speech, but I'll try. To begin with, as I was practicing using the system in my home (on the phone, and answering machine), and beginning to have almost complete fluency, I noticed a significant decrease in my stuttering when I was outside the home, not yet wearing it. I theorized that I fooled myself into thinking that there is no need to stutter because I no longer had to stutter, I could use the system. Stuttering was no longer important to do; I now had choices. I prepared my co-workers and clients for my debut. Their support was a tremendous help. I needed a few days of wearing it to adjust the volume, gain, rate of speech, ect. Every once in a while I will find myself fighting it, trying to over power it by stuttering (usually after first putting it on after not wearing it for a few days); but the system takes over and speech flows. I still have some difficulty at times when I begin speaking with a vowel, but I'll activate the system by making an inaudible sound to start me off. I find that it works best for me when I speak on the telephone; in such instances my fluency is improved about 95%. When I wear it in general, I would estimate that my stuttering decreases about 80-90 per cent. Some interesting observations: When I wear the system it seems that my entire self is in a relaxed mode. I am not anxiously awaiting major stuttering blocks. I am not preoccupied with trying not to stutter. In other words, my energy is not channeled into stuttering related issues; instead it is distributed into normal channels, e.g. thinking about the people I need to telephone today, bringing the car to the shop and explaining what needs to be repaired, having a casual conversation on the street with a neighbor, ect. What needs to be done becomes the priority rather than not stuttering. And of course, getting these things done instills a sense of confidence, accomplishment, and self satisfaction, which in turn, results in less stuttering. The increased confidence I receive when wearing the system also allows me to be more assertive and focused on the issue at hand when speaking to someone. I don't have to be bothered with thinking of substitution words, or expel energy worrying about speech blocks. Also, I am now more likely to disagree (if appropriate) during a conversation, rather than agreeing with someone in order to decrease the amount of speaking required of me. I would also like to address the carry over affect. If I wear the system for one or two days at work, I find that stuttering decreases when I do not wear it for the rest of the week. Not only does stuttering decrease, but my entire mind set seems to be in a relaxed state, and not stuttering seems normal. It's difficult to explain, but the Pocket Fluency System seems to do more that just improve fluency. In closing I would like to share the fact that as president of a local art club, for the first time in my life I gave a short speech (about seven minutes) to about 25 people. Before I began I gave them all a brief explanation of the system. I stuttered some during the speech, but nothing like I would have if I were not wearing it. The blocks were short and not intense. Once again, the Pocket Fluency System works for me, and I thank you for all the work and interest on your part. Please keep me informed of any new items, research or books that you are working on or may have completed. Also, you may use any part of this letter, name included, for testimonials in print or on the Internet. Thanks again. Sincerely, John Tracey October 2, 2000 I have stuttered for over sixty years. I have been through fluency training six times and become reasonably fluent in most speaking situations. However, public speaking was the one situation where I continued to have difficulty. With the Pocket Fluency System from Casa Futura Technologies, I joined Toastmasters International, a public speaking organization, and was awarded a Competent Toastmaster's Rating, after giving a series of speeches. The auditory feedback of the Pocket Fluency System definetly increases my fluency in highly stressed situations, such as public speaking. Also the Pocket Fluency System is convenient to carry around in the pocket. Jim Nott May 15, 2000 My company purchased the Desktop Fluency System last year for me. I have had great success with it. My fluency greatly increased and I also overcame the fears of making and taking business calls. I have also noticed a carry over effect which I believe is partly due to good speech experiences during my day at work. I work for a major aircraft manufacturer and deal directly with aviation authorities and our airline customers. Thanks for your products and support of this misunderstood problem many of us face. Todd Metts I have used the Desktop Fluency System for more than 6 months. I'm gonna be honest to you, it does bring huge improvement on my speech but once you reach a high fluency level you won't need this device anymore. What you need is lots of practice and talking. At this level you might want to join toast master or other public speaking course. Anonymous
I received the device this afternoon and fitted one of my waiting patients immediately. Both of us were very happy with the results. He found the Pocket Fluency System quite handy and told me that he was expecting a larger size device! He is a young man and studying MBA. I was therefore happy to hear his comment about the acceptibility of wearing it without any hesitance. I thought you might want to know my first "real" experience thus, I wanted to share it with you. Sincerely,
February 2, 2000 I'm a 35 yrs old nuclear/mechanical engineer who's been trying make some sense out my stuttering all my life. Actually, I don't stutter very much in person. I even passed for a Lieutenant in the US Navy although I did have some close calls on the bombing runs… I do, however, have terrible blocks on the telephone. I can almost see it coming, names, alphabets, technical terms, etc. It startles all first timers because my almost fluent speech suddenly stops. I've had the Telephone Fluency System for about two weeks. It's hard to belive this works but it really does help my speech on the phone. Of course I still stutter but now I kinda look forward to using the phone just to see if it'll work again. The Telephone Fluency System certainly has reduced the fear of using the phone. Thanks. Robert Kim
November 20, 1999 I am very pleased with the desktop model. It works very well for me. The feature I now like the best is the vocal feedback. I have used it to really focus on how I tense my throat and close my vocal cords. Jonathan R. Bashor
November 8, 1999 I ordered a pocket fluency device from them a couple of years back. The company is very good, with excellent support from David. The actual device itself does produce fluent speech. It's a weird feeling - making you use smooth speech techniques. He does offer a 3-month money back guareentee if not completely satisified. I'd urge you to try it. David Beards
October 13, 1999 I'm 58 and still, measurably, a severe stutterer. I've had every kind of therapy imaginable…I've used electronic devices since 1984. I still stutter, but not as badly… Friends who I've not seen in a long time almost always comment on my improved speech. More to the point, I speak more, and in all situations. I always battled my fear of speech. To me, avoiding speech is worse than the actual spasms of stuttering. But sometimes speech was just too difficult – for me and my listeners… Now I don't fear talking. Conversation is no longer an issue for me. I consider myself fluent, even though I am still stuttering. With the help of my devices, I've joined Toastmasters, and have come to delight in public speaking, not only at self-help conventions for people who stutter but for audiences of fluent people. A few days ago, I spoke up at my local school board meeting. It was a heated topic, there was a large audience, and it was being broadcast live on cable access TV. I stuttered, but I held the attention of the audience. Without my DAF unit, I wouldn't have done it. It wasn't the fear of stuttering in public that would have stopped me. It was my level of disfluency; without my portable DAF, the audience would not have understood me. And that, not the fact of my stuttering, would have been humiliating. Excerpts from Marty Jezer's article about anti-stuttering devices in the ASHA SID4 newsletter.
September 21, 1999 I demonstrated your School DAF at a staff training in Ireland. There was good feedback from all who tried it even with those who had tried the Edinburgh Masker. It indeed shows great promise of helping that 1% that block severely even in "safe" course situations. It is also good for the successful graduates to be more disciplined, and to monitor their own speech (much more effective than a tape recorder) even in those who consider themselves totally fluent. Although we do not use the (fluency shaping/smooth speech) techniques that you advise in your manual, it seems to fit perfectly in with the technical part of our programme. You might want to consider your device being appropriate for those fluent speakers who wish to improve their articulation. Best wishes,
I would just like to let you know that I bought your book through Amazon.com and think it is fantastic. Sincerely,
May 12, 1999 I wanted to relay to you that the Pocket Fluency System has been working well. I have had one Superior Court judge compliment me on my argument, after using your device. It really is a great product, and feel free to use me as a reference. Charles Coant, trial attorney
Kurt put the headset on and was immediately fluent. I'm sure you've heard this many times before, but we can't tell you how incredulous we were. To hear Kurt fluent for the first time in a long time was quite something for all of us. Speech pathologist and mother of 11-year-old boy who stutters
I obtained a [Pocket] DAF machine [six months ago] from you. It has proved a wonderful success and benefit. My speech [has] really started to come good, the best it has been for many years. Eva Owen
I am a severe stutterer. At the time I ordered the Pocket DAF, I was blocking on every single word I spoke. I decided to try the DAF with the encouragement of my speech therapist. After I received it, I practiced with it at home, in the therapy room, and on the telephone. My speech therapist and I discussed the best way to introduce it at work. I first told my immediate co-workers and supervisor that I was going to try a new electronic device. I told them that I didn't know how well it would work out or how well I would tolerate it so that I would have a way out if it didn't work or I didn't like it. The first day I brought it to work, I took both the headset and throat microphone. Everyone in my office tried it with the headset. Before long, everyone in the entire office area was in my office wanting to hear me talk and try it out themselves. My co-workers and I spent some time brainstorming about the best place to put the throat microphone. I found the experience both wonderful and frightening. It was wonderful to know that so many of my co-workers wanted something good for me and were so excited about seeing it happening. It was frightening because I didn't know if the effects of the DAF would last. I've found that having the DAF allows (forces) me to be more open about my stuttering because everyone can see that I'm using some sort of device. I also think that it helps people understand my stuttering. If something analogous to a hearing aid can help, maybe my stuttering doesn't seem so mysterious to them after all! After using the device over a year now, I'm very pleased to report that many people at the National Stuttering Project convention remarked on how much my fluency had improved since they last talked to me. I was more fluent than normal at the convention, and since then I've been more stressed out and I have become less fluent, but I still think that I've made definite progress. I attribute at least some of the improvement to using the DAF. I see two separate benefits for me. (1) It gives me some fluency to work with. I think it's much easier to work on managing my stuttering if I have at least SOME fluency. (2) Because I have more "natural" fluency, I've been willing to try different things. I mean things that I avoided doing before because they were such a struggle. Things like talking on the telephone and talking to strangers and just talking more altogether. I think that has helped make me more willing to try to change my speech overall. I use the DAF only sometimes at work and most of the time on the telephone. I'm very glad that I bought it. Tamara Bettinger
The Pocket Fluency System (PFS) works great for me. As a project manager I'm on the phone a lot and on conference calls with ten or more people on a regular basis. The PFS helps me monitor my targets (full breath, gentle onset, etc.) much better than I can on my own. Speaking takes a lot less effort with the PFS. For me to be fluent using fluency shaping techniques, I have to be 100% focused on HOW I'm speaking and I find I can't do that in all situations. I've had many different types of speech therapy over the years and with each type, I've always been able to attain what one of my friends and fellow stutterers describes as "clinically fluent." I can speak fluently while I'm in the clinic and around my clinician, but get me in a normal situation and I've lost a large part of my fluency. When I use the PFS I'm able to carry my fluency outside my comfort zone. Once in a while I'll experience a minor block, but they are small and easily corrected. It's a great tool to practice with. I think David has done an excellent job with this device. I hope he continues to make improvements to its performance and size. I'd like to see the technology come to the point where a device like this could be made even smaller. Brian Fitzgerald
I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the Pocket Fluency System. I gave a 40 minute presentation on some research I did this summer, and it went really well. The PFS was great for me in that it took away lots of apprehension about my presentation. I EVEN ENJOYED DOING IT, and look forward to presenting more. Your book was fantastic to read. I found it interesting that you made the connection between Zen and Stuttering, it has been something that I have often considered. Good fluency techniques also have a very Aikido feel to me. I have been doing mindfulness meditation on and off for a number of years. I find many benefits to it. You book really made me think about stuttering and how it has impacted my life. It has been a real beneficial thing for me to do. Take care, Sean Maguire
Like all PWS, the telephone was my biggest problem. Most times, I was unable to communicate via phone. At times, I could not utter a word. I was hung-up on countless times. My solution was the DAF device designed by Thomas David Kehoe. I've been using it for about 3 years. It completely changed my telephone life. I have mine sitting on my desk at my office. I use it for every phone call, whether I need it or not. I disconnected the regular receiver, so I can't cheat on good days. I now make business calls, many times a day. Before the DAF, I never made 1 business call. I still stutter, but I'm able to communicate effectively. And for me, a severe stutterer, that's important. I take care of personal matters and many business matters that I was never able to do before. There are still some days that I avoid the phone; but, bad days aren't as bad, and good days are even better with the DAF. It takes a while to get used to the DAF. But now, I usually don't think about my speech at all. I just put on the headphones and go. I find little carry over affect from the DAF to a live conversation. That's probably because I do not monitor my speech at all. If I did monitor my speech (PFSP), I feel it would help the carryover affect. But that's another story. I rarely ask anyone to make phone calls for me anymore. My wife likes that. The most marked difference is, I would rather use the phone to ask, than to ask in person. Larry Burd PS: I get no commissions, this is just my way of saying thanks. (-:
I chaired an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in front of 50 people and was totally fluent with the Pocket Fluency System. The last time I chaired an AA meeting, last Saturday night, I must have stuttered 150 times. I think some of the blocks lasted 4 seconds. Tonight was beyond description!!!! It works!!!! Oh yeah, I used techniques on occasion. Name withheld by request Thanks so much for the book—I think it is really great!! I am going to show it to several of my colleagues who work with stutterers and parents of stutterers and encourage them to order a copy from you. I really enjoyed reading about your life and the different therapies you tried—it has given me a new perspective on what my clients go through. Magdalene Lima, MS, CCC-SLP January 27, 1998 The School DAF device has been very instrumental in fostering fluency with my students. It has been effective with pre-schoolers as well as high schoolers. The device promotes a slow, easy rate of speaking. Students were more fluent in structured and unstructured speaking situations. They seem less fearful of speaking. Self-esteem also appears to improve. As a professional, the device has enabled me to provide consistent and effective fluency therapy. It provides "hands-on" reinforcement of slow easy speech. The School DAF device is durable and priceless. I consider it a long-term investment in the lives of students. Sincerely,
May 9, 1997 I want to tell you how lucky you are and how grateful you should be that you have the capability to profoundly change people's live with your DAF machine. You certainly have changed mine. I wanted the Pocket Fluency System because I am a poet and was afraid to read my poetry in public because of my stutter. I did my very first poetry reading about one week after receiving the Pocket Fluency System! My reading was flawless, and my attention was NOT riveted on my speech. My mind didn't scan ahead, looking for upcoming blocks. I was very relaxed about my speech, having practiced with the DAF at home. Two weeks ago I won a poetry contest given by Barnes & Noble. I was asked to read my poem, and did, comfortably and easily. This is not to say that I'm not nervous. I am. But the source of my nervousness is not based on whether or not I'll stutter. It's based on how well I'll do in my performance, and how well my audience is receiving me. The Pocket Fluency System is enabling me to achieve a lifelong goal that was very important to me, and I thank you for your dedication to the need that is out there. I also thank you for your accessibility and your endless willingness to listen to my concerns about the devices and my speech problem in general. Please wear your motorcycle helmet all the times you're on your bike. You have lots of people out here depending on you for the quality of their speaking lives. Gratefully, June 25, 1996 I received the device on Thursday and the improvement in my speech was immediate. With the device I speak fluently most of the time, the device enables me to slow my speech, control my breath, it strengthens my self-confidence and inspires a relaxed feeling. I have to admit, it's a brilliant idea. Name withheld by request
June 2, 1996 I want to share with you a recent experience I had. On Friday I had two very severe stutterers come to my high school science class to talk about their communication ordeals. The gentleman tried your device and got very befuddled, before a live audience no less. I convinced them to spend some time with me and try the telephone device again in my office after I had some time to more thoroughly explain it to them. Consequently, they got so excited when they realized how fluent they became even after removing the headset that they asked me to be a guest at their next NSP meeting and share the devices. The gentleman has even agreed to come back next week and talk to another school group—solo—as long as he can wear your device. At the NSP meeting, I will pass out copies of the ADVANCE articles I recently saw, but if you have any new brochures on your new pocket device, I would be happy to pass them out as well. The meeting is June 21. (Why am I doing this? They were so enthusiastic and we had such a pleasant time that I could hardly say no). I am meeting with the other therapists next week for a "premier" showing of your devices, plus my movie and video tapes I have collected. I think my Friday videotaping with my new friends will be a total blowout. Our director said at our last meeting she would buy a device for us—the other therapists were willing to chip in part of their yearly budget as well. I think the new pocket device would be fine. Janet Hachiya, MA, SLP-CCC |
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