Comprehensive speech therapy and functional therapy for stuttering in adults

Comprehensive speech therapy and functional therapy of stuttering in adults – A guide for doctors and speech therapists

„"Comprehensive Speech Therapy and Functional Therapy for Stuttering in Adults" is a comprehensive guide intended for specialists in the field of speech therapy, medicine, and rehabilitation of speech disorders. The book brings together the latest scientific research, clinical experience, and proven therapeutic approaches that support the effective treatment of stuttering in adults.

This one textbook is a valuable resource for both speech therapists seeking to improve their therapeutic skills and for physicians working in the fields of neurology, psychiatry, otolaryngology, and rehabilitation medicine. Through a combination of speech therapy techniques, functional strategies, and a multidisciplinary approach, the textbook presents effective methods for overcoming stuttering and improving patients' communication skills.

Main highlights of the textbook

1. Etiology and mechanisms of stuttering in adults

The book begins with a comprehensive analysis of the physiological, neurological, and psychosocial aspects of stuttering. The following are considered:

✔ Биологични и генетични фактори, които предразполагат към това нарушение

✔ Неврофизиологични механизми, свързани с моторния контрол на речта

✔ Психологическите аспекти на заекването, включително тревожността и социалната несигурност

2. Diagnosis and assessment of stuttering

Standardized diagnostic methods and tests for assessing the severity of stuttering, communication difficulties, and the patient's emotional state are presented. The following are considered:

Objective criteria for analyzing speech disfluencies

Using audio and video recordings to assess speech dynamics

Psychometric tests for measuring communication anxiety

3. Speech therapy – integrated methods and approaches

The textbook presents modern therapeutic strategies that help adult patients overcome stuttering and build confidence in their communication. These include:

Classical speech therapy techniques – slow speech, rhythmic exercises, controlled breathing

Functional therapies – cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques and anxiety control

Interactive methods – group therapy, social role-playing games and exercises to improve communication skills

4. Neurophysiological rehabilitation and medication support

In addition to speech therapy intervention, the book also examines neurophysiological approaches to treating stuttering. The following are presented:

Neurofeedback and biofeedback methods

Application of pharmacotherapy in severe cases of stuttering

The influence of physical exercise and breathing exercises on speech control

5. Working with the patient's motivation and social adaptation

Stuttering in adults often leads to social isolation, low self-esteem, and occupational limitations. The textbook discusses methods for helping patients overcome their communication barriers, including:

✔ Поведенчески терапии за изграждане на увереност

✔ Техники за справяне с говорната тревожност

✔ Подкрепа за социална и професионална интеграция

Why this one A textbook is indispensable for the specialists?

Scientific validity and clinical Applicability – Includes the latest scientific research and proven therapeutic approaches.

Integrated approach – Combines speech therapy, psychological and neurophysiological treatment methods.

Practical guidelines – Includes real clinical cases, exercises, and techniques for therapeutic work.

Patient Focus – Pays attention not only to speech disorders, but also to the emotional and social aspects of stuttering.

„"Comprehensive Speech Therapy and Functional Therapy for Stuttering in Adults" is an extremely useful guide for any specialist working in the field of speech therapy and rehabilitation. It offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to one of the most common and challenging communication disorders in adults.

For speech therapists – Practical guidelines for effective therapy and long-term work with patients

For Doctors – Scientifically Based Information on the Neurological and Physiological Aspects of Stuttering

For Psychologists – Psychotherapeutic Strategies for Overcoming Anxiety and Social Insecurity

With this guide, specialists will be able to offer individualized and effective solutions for their patients, helping them achieve better control over their speech and improve their quality of life.

The monographic work "Complex speech therapy and functional therapy of stuttering in adults" is based mainly on the diagnostic results obtained from the application of "3D Model" for a comprehensive study of types and subtypes of speech fluency disorders“, which was developed within the framework of the author's doctoral dissertation. The results of the 3D model, first of all, categorically proved the need to group stutterers into subgroups according to the criterion "Variability of speech therapy and functional parameters", i.e. that there are discrete dynamic dependencies that are characteristic of the different subtypes of stuttering.

Considering the phenomenon of stuttering as an imbalance between different functional systems that participate in the implementation of speech behavior: breathing, nervous regulation, volitional motor control, monitoring of the implementation of motor programs, emotional reactivity, phonation, articulation (Goranova, 2016), the task was set to study possible ways for sustainable transfer of the acquired skills of fluent speech from the speech therapy office to a real communicative environment. Familiarity with biological feedback (BV, Biofeedback) as a scientifically based method allowed its application in the diagnosis and therapy of individuals with stuttering of different age groups.

By applying techniques such as soft voice attack and/or extended speech, and subsequent combination with BOV, the indicated therapeutic goals are achieved much faster and more easily. The transfer of newly acquired skills from the protected clinical environment to real communicative situations is carried out many times faster and more effectively with the application of BOV.

The purpose of this monograph is to examine scientifically proven therapeutic techniques and approaches and to propose the inclusion of an innovative software computer program as an assistive technology – Biofeedback (BFF) in the therapy of adults with stuttering.