Stuttering 57at malls. However, they do them using easy contacts (light pressure), relaxed speech musculature,
pullout devices (ways of not stuttering), and cancellations (stopping and starting over again using
f luency tools). They concentrate on their respiration and prolong certain sounds, avoiding facial
grimacing, hand slaps, head jerks, or tongue, jaw, and lip tremors. They have positive speaking
attitudes and tolerance for their dysf luencies. They maintain eye contact. Most of the clients do
these things remarkably well, and the clinical staff know that at least some generalization to real-
life speaking situations has occurred.
“Captain Karen,” as the campers call her, has been given leave from the army to volunteer at the
stuttering camp, and she and the campers have planned a “ water gun war” all week. The scheme is
for the campers to attack the volunteers and clinical staff after supper in a carefully designed raid.
Captain Karen has brought army camouf lage uniforms, face paint, and tarps, and each camper
has been issued a heavy- duty water gun capable of drenching the enemy in seconds. The campers
can hardly be seen in the dusky light as they creep silently on their mission. They crawl on hands
and knees, blending into the environment, sliding through the trees and bushes. Loud decoy music
radiates from the amphitheater. Unsuspecting clinicians laugh outside their cottages, several vol-
unteers encircle the beer cooler, and the director reviews the final reports for tomorrow’s meeting
with the campers’ parents. The unsuspecting victims are enjoying the final night of the stuttering
camp when the surprise attack occurs. The battle is quick and decisive, leaving the campers clearly
victorious and more than a little pleased with themselves.
The next day, family members arrive and meet with the clinicians and volunteers. The direc-
tor reviews each camper’s pro gress and provides a written summary to be given to the client’s
therapist. The tele vi sion news crew again interviews parents, clinicians, and campers, and by late
after noon, the picturesque 40 acres have returned to their original condition. Campers, volunteers,
and clinical staff travel home with fond memories of 8 days well spent.
Case Study 3-4: A 22- Year- Old Man With
Severe Anxiety- Based Stuttering
Several therapy sessions were devoted to listing the most stressful and anxiety-provoking
sounds, words, situations, and persons in Juan’s life. Juan carefully identified and placed them in
descending order. At the top of the “sound” list was the horrid “b” sound, which caused his lips to
purse tightly and tremor. But it was the closing of his vocal cords that completely prohibited him
from making that dreaded sound. With his lips and vocal cords tightly closed, Juan had to wait
for the “b” sound to slide reluctantly from his mouth. And it seemed that the more he forced the
sound, the more it resisted. Over the years, Juan had come to hate this sound.
Juan’s most feared and anxiety- provoking “word” was his name. Time after time when asked,
“Name please?” Juan felt the word stick in his throat. Nothing could be more embarrassing, and
it seemed that every one demanded his name. From the barista at Starbucks to his barber, “Name
please?” was a frequent request. For Juan, the most distressing aspect of stuttering was being unable