Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Students who Stutter. A Case Study, Survey of Software and Devices, and Resource List By Erin Fent, Dustin Freeman, Gordon Graber, Jackie Haller Introduction The language disability of stuttering can affect a person's confidence and therefore their interactions with others. It is not generally held that stuttering is indicative of an underlying cognitive problems, but generally purely a speech mechanics problem. It may be affected by biofeedback mechanisms - possibly stress and anxiety about lack of fluid speech performance exacerbate the stuttering condition. A person who stutters may have difficulty at school socially, dependent on interactions with peers and teachers. They may be placed at a social disadvantage, and possibly disadvantaged in the classroom. But there is no basis for any claim that stutterers are intrinsically less capable, or less intelligent: "The only thing that differs between people who stutter and people who don't is that the people who stutter stutter." - Wendell Johnson, speech pathology pioneer. Case Study A 15-year old male of above average intelligence is experiencing difficulty participating in class discussions and interacting socially. The only diagnosed learning disability is stuttering. His diagnosis was made at age 6 and the student received school provided speech therapy through 8th grade. Therapy was discontinued at the request of the parent and student based upon the student's progress in controlling his stuttering. A re-evaluation was scheduled for the end of the first semester 9th grade. The following observations were made at the re-evaluation. Impact on Learning: The condition of stuttering prevents the student from asking necessary questions and providing verbal feedback due to frustration and embarrassment. Social Impact: The student has been observed avoiding interaction with peers. He has difficulty working in groups. Recommendation: The student has been recommended for renewal of speech therapy based upon the regression observed after the therapy was terminated. Available Hardware and Software for Therapy and Treatment There are several manufactures of software and hardware devices that may be used in the treatment of stuttering. All of these systems use a microphone and earphones, to capture, alter, and feedback the altered audio to the stutterer. They use bio-feedback principles in attempt to relive the auditory-speech neural pathways that are often involved in the conditions that result in stuttering. There are studies that show these systems benefit stutters. (http://jslhr.asha.org/cgi/content/abstract/39/2/396) These systems may also be used by licensed Speech Language Therapists as a supplement to traditional treatments. There are three primary approaches used by these systems: Masking Auditory Feedback - MAF: When speaking, some stutterers experience a condition in which they cannot produce sound with their vocal chords. This effect is increased by their anxiety at not being able to perform. In essence, air is trapped in the vocal chords, which freeze up. The more they try to push the sounds out, the tighter the vocal chords become. With the use of a computer program, or hardware device, that implements MAF, when the system detects a silent point in speech, white noise is produced in the earphones. This white noise fools the brain into think the vocal chords are actually making sound, and relaxes them, freeing the stutterer to speak again. These systems have proven effective on changes in speech while the system is being used. Their use may, over time, result in a lasting curative effect. Delayed Auditory Feedback – DAF: With the use of Delayed Auditory Feedback, the sound of the voice is delayed by a few milliseconds and then supplied to the ear. This delay causes a slower speaking rate and improves the fluency of those who stutter. Frequency Altered Feedback – FAF: FAF involves altering the pitch of the speaker’s voice, up or down, and feeding it back though the speaker’s earphones. There is an immediate improvement in stuttering after the pitch shift s accepted. After a few months, though, lowering the pitch seems to produce consistent results. After about 18 months, some studies have shown not only a ceiling to improvement but have shown a decline, and sometimes to a degree worse than the original condition. Resources for parents and teachers of children who stutter: Information resources: stuttering, causes http://www.casafuturatech.com/Books/NoMiracleCures/FAF.shtml http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/Supercourse/langstut.htm This site provides several PowerPoint lectures from universities around the world on stuttering's relationship to language and other aspects of diagnosis and treatment. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/stuttering.htm Resources on treatments and support http://kidshealth.org "Stuttering." The Nemours Foundation, KidsHealth.org http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/ The Stuttering Home Page. Minnesota State University, Mankato. http://www.wiu.edu/csd/ "What is Stuttering?" Robert W. Quesal, PhD, Professor and Program Director. http://www.wiu.edu/csd/ Communications Sciences and Disorders. Western Illinois University. Assistive Technology -Anti-Stuttering Devices http://www.casafuturatech.com/Catalog/effective.shtml Among the devices offered is the Casa Futura Telephone Fluency System. This is an anti-stuttering telephone device with delayed auditory feedback (DAF) and frequency-shifted auditory feedback (FAF). http://www.speecheasy.com This DAF/FAF device is worn like a hearing-aid. www.stuttering.com The Fluency Master Vocal tone amplification is transmitted through a hearing aid device. http://shop.store.yahoo.com/azhearing/desfluensys.html Desktop Fluency System. A complete system with a phone adaptor, headsets for conversation and therapy use. The system utilizes DAF/FAF/MAF (masking auditory feedback) http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/jslp/e-471/16.html A miniature metronome which is worn behind the ear is claimed to stabilize speech fluency. http://www.artefactsoft.com/pocketdaf.html A source for software for PCs and handheld computers. The software utilizes DAF and FAF therapies http://www.intertapeww.com/eng/research.html Info and Hardware http://www.kayelemetrics.com/Product%20Info/3500/3500appsec10.htm An auditory feedback device Organizations http://www.stutteringhelp.org National Stuttering Foundation of America. 1-(800) 992-9392.