Case Studies
Speech Development Commentary & Case Studies From
Sally McKee, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech Pathways, PC
Houston, TX
"SpeechEasy® is another tool in the SLP’s toolbox and another option for our clients. The SpeechEasy® Fluency Device does not replace traditional therapy. Many people who stutter find that SpeechEasy® enables them to use the techniques learned in speech therapy sessions with less effort.
As an SLP dispensing SpeechEasy®, I am committed to working closely with the referring SLP to ensure that the client continues to receive therapy as needed. I support the client returning to his or her SLP for supplemental therapy to stabilize their strategies and maintain fluency."
Speech Development Case Study 1
Situation
The client is a 17 year-old male high school junior. My initial telephone screening questions with his father revealed the client had a history of cerebral palsy since birth and "has stuttered for as long as I can remember". He walks with the aid of crutches and a walker. He reported having been enrolled in fluency therapy for his stuttering for more than one year at a regional rehabilitation center, focusing on "taking deep breaths" before he talks. His parents heard about the SpeechEasy® Fluency Device from a family friend who had used the device successfully for two years.
The client requested a SpeechEasy® evaluation "so I can talk better to others and won’t be embarrassed." His parents observed the evaluation process, and were visibly moved by the positive difference of fluency development they heard in his speech. His father stated, "If he can experience even 50% improvement, it will be worth the cost."
Due to the client’s learned habit of "taking a deep breath" and holding it before speaking, the majority of the evaluation process involved focusing on exhalation rather than inhalation. The Initial Vowel Words and Phrases list was used to introduce and practice silent breathing and "tired talking."
Results
Results of his evaluation process, as suggested by behavioral observations and measured by the Riley Stuttering Severity Instrument, indicated very severe stuttering without the SpeechEasy® and mild stuttering with the device:
Stuttering frequency:
- Conversation
Without SpeechEasy: 28%; with SpeechEasy: 5% - Reading
Without SpeechEasy: 35% percent; with SpeechEasy: 9%
Duration of blocks:
- Without SpeechEasy: 9 seconds; with SpeechEasy: 1 second
A copy of the Initial Vowel Words and Phrases list was provided to the client to continue practicing at home until he received his SpeechEasy®. Three weeks later, when he returned for his final fitting, his stuttering frequency and blocks were less than his pre- SpeechEasy® results more than his post-results. His father reported that, during the long drive home following the evaluation, the client demonstrated more fluent speech by using the strategies learned in the evaluation session. His fluency decreased, however, after a few weeks. During his final fitting, with the use of the exhalation strategy and the SpeechEasy®, his dysfluency frequencies decreased to 2% in conversation and fleeting hesitations rather than blocks. I referred him to his Speech Pathologist for continued therapy, and spoke with her to discuss continuing the strategy that enhances his fluency.
He has maintained his post-fitting fluency for two months, and credits the device, his weekly speech therapy and his daily practice with the Initial Vowel Words and Phrases.
Speech Development Case Study 2
Situation
The client is a 19 year old male with severe dysfluencies. He was referred for a SpeechEasy® one year ago by his public school Speech-Language Pathologist, who described the client as an outstanding student whose stuttering prevents him from speaking in class. She further reported that his stuttering severely interfered with his school achievement, and was "preventing him from applying for a college scholarship."
Prior to obtaining the SpeechEasy device, the client exhibited voiced blocks, part-word repetitions, and secondary characteristics of hand movements, eye blinks, and jaw movement contortions. The client reported choosing to take lower grades rather than verbally participate in class.
Fluency Development Results
Results of his evaluation process, as suggested by behavioral observations and measured by the Riley Stuttering Severity Instrument, indicated very severe stuttering without the SpeechEasy® and mild stuttering with the device:
Stuttering frequency:
- Conversation
Without SpeechEasy: 25%; with SpeechEasy: 1% - Reading
Without SpeechEasy: 30% percent; with SpeechEasy: 2%
Duration of blocks:
- Without SpeechEasy: 5 seconds; with SpeechEasy: fleeting hesitations
A copy of the Initial Vowel Words and Phrases list was provided to the client to continue practicing at home until he received his SpeechEasy®. I hadn’t talked with this client until he attended our recent SpeechEasy Fluency Group Meeting. He reported to the group that his speech had become so fluent after six months of wearing the SpeechEasy®, that he decided he would leave it home while he was out of the country for two months. He admitted his speech "began to fall apart after the first month". When he returned home, he forgot about his daily practice and had difficulty speaking even when wearing the device. After the group meeting, we had a brief therapy session with the device, and he was back on track with his fluency. In our phone conversation this week, he continued to demonstrate 99% fluency after one year of wearing the SpeechEasy® I recommended speech therapy on a monthly basis.
