Stamering And Cognate Defects Of Speech Vol - Ii

306 SYSTEMS OF TREATING STAMMERING

to strive for fluency in speech. He must be offered a
substantial and much-coveted reward for ultimate
victory; and must then be helped at every stage of
the contest. He must be checked quietly and gently
each time that he stammers. He must be made to
wait and reflect upon the words he is about to use —
and to utter these words slowly and with composure.
If he then speaks fluently, he should be commended
and encouraged, and should be made to repeat the
words in order that he may gain assurance.

The child should be made to feel that, though it is
not reprehensible to stammer, it is nevertheless highly
commendable to speak with fluency. He should never
be laughed at, scolded, or punished for his impedi-
ment; for, with such treatment, fear soon associates
itself with speech. He should never be mimicked;
and for this reason and a hundred others, should be
kept from school till the impediment has been elimi-
nated.

If much amnesia appears to be present, the child
should be told to think, during speech, how his words
are going to sound. If physical stammering is in
evidence, he should be taught to inhale before speak-
ing and to speak at all times without effort.

The child should be required, by way of practice,
to learn and recite simple rhymes. He should be
told little stories, and should be made to repeat each
sentence slowly and carefully after the parent. Later,