Stammering, also termed as stuttering, is a common speech disorder in which a person has an interrupted flow of speech with involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, usually vowels or semivowels, syllables, words or phrases. It is also characterised with having repetitive breaks or pauses in between words or phrases or abnormal hesitation before speaking. It can be treated by performing various therapies, like, fluency shaping therapy, modification therapy, diaphragmatic breathing, and many more.
Stammering therapy in Kolkata is performed by various speech language pathologists, like, Mr. Somenath Mukherjee, Mr. Mainak Santra, Mr. Probir Karmakar, Mr. Kuntal Sarkar, Mr. Abhishek Chakraborty, Mr. Somesh Bhattacherjee and others.
Some very effective methods of treating stammering problems are developing slow rate of speech, helping with effortless speech production, breathing exercises and educating parents to help their children. There are certain stammering problems that are not easy to detect, and to do so, very skilled Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) are required. It should be kept in mind, however, that there are certain stuttering problems which cannot be completely cured of, but they can be controlled by performing various therapies. Many therapists prefer the learning strategies to treat stammerers, such as the speed reduction, breathing regulation, progressing gradually from single-syllabled word pronunciations to longer words, and eventually to long and complex sentences.
Another effective approach towards treating stammering problems is the comprehensive approach, in which the emphasis is given on changing the attitude of the stammerer towards communication. It is to see the positive side to stammering problems and attempts are made to minimize the negative impacts on the life of a stammerer as far as possible. The main target of the therapists is to teach people how to control and monitor their rate of speech flow. They are made to speak in a very calm state of mind, as strenuous psychological situations may lead to speech disfluencies. Also, the stammerers are suggested to begin in a slow and steady pace, using short phrases and sentences, with much lower rates so as to maintain a smooth flow in speech.
Most of these methods that have been proven to be quite effective while performing stammering therapy in Kolkata to treat stutterers. The duration of the therapies are usually of 7-8 months on an average, however, it may vary depending on the severity of the stammering problem. Generally, about 70-80% of the children having stammering problems are completely cured within 12-24 months without a speech therapy. However, if the problem persists for a longer period of time, then speech-language therapies will be required. Stammering therapists also believe in eradicating common myths and beliefs about stuttering problems, such as, feeling of social isolation, nervousness being a cause, blaming oneself, feeling ashamed of the problem or altogether avoiding the need to discuss about it, feeling inferior or staying back in life, fearing failures, and other such psychological disturbances. One must not in any way believe in these myths as it will only hamper the standards of life of a stutterer.
The procedures followed while undergoing stammering therapy in Kolkata focus on these problems, studies the specific types of stuttering problems in different individuals and analysing the methods in which they can be treated. No stammerer should stay back due to fears of being isolated, and should rather feel free to come forward and get himself treated of this problem.