Starfish project
Encyclopedia
The Starfish Project is a UK-based not-for-profit therapy programme which helps people who stammer
or stutter
to overcome their speech disfluencies through the use of diaphragmatic breathing
(also known as costal breathing). The programme also teaches participants to reassess negative emotions surrounding their stammering through the use of avoidance reduction therapy, a form of stuttering modification (see stuttering therapy
).
Students attend a three-day residential course during which a diaphragmatic breathing technique and non-avoidance strategies are taught. Following on from this initial course graduates are able to attend additional 'follow-up' courses without charge as often as they feel necessary. Graduates are also encouraged to make use of a list of phone contacts and can attend free monthly support meetings at various locations around the UK.
Although diaphragmatic or costal breathing can be an effective way for stammerers to manage their condition, it should not be regarded as a cure. In addition to the Starfish Project, a similar breathing technique is used by other stammering treatment initiatives including the McGuire Programme
.
Stuttering
Stuttering , also known as stammering , is a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases, and involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which the stutterer is unable to produce sounds...
or stutter
Stuttering
Stuttering , also known as stammering , is a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases, and involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which the stutterer is unable to produce sounds...
to overcome their speech disfluencies through the use of diaphragmatic breathing
Diaphragmatic breathing
Diaphragmatic breathing, abdominal breathing, belly breathing or deep breathing is breathing that is done by contracting the diaphragm, a muscle located horizontally between the chest cavity and stomach cavity...
(also known as costal breathing). The programme also teaches participants to reassess negative emotions surrounding their stammering through the use of avoidance reduction therapy, a form of stuttering modification (see stuttering therapy
Stuttering therapy
Stuttering therapy is any of the various treatment methods that attempt to reduce stuttering to some degree in an individual. Stuttering can be a challenge to treat because there is a lack of evidence-based consensus about therapy...
).
Students attend a three-day residential course during which a diaphragmatic breathing technique and non-avoidance strategies are taught. Following on from this initial course graduates are able to attend additional 'follow-up' courses without charge as often as they feel necessary. Graduates are also encouraged to make use of a list of phone contacts and can attend free monthly support meetings at various locations around the UK.
Although diaphragmatic or costal breathing can be an effective way for stammerers to manage their condition, it should not be regarded as a cure. In addition to the Starfish Project, a similar breathing technique is used by other stammering treatment initiatives including the McGuire Programme
McGuire Programme
The McGuire Programme is a treatment programme run by stammerers which involves the use of costal breathing to control the condition. It was founded in 1994 by Dave McGuire, himself a person who stammers...
.
External links
- Official Site
- Review of the Starfish Project by a speech and language therapist at stammering.org, the website of the British Stammering AssociationBritish Stammering AssociationThe British Stammering Association , a charity since 1978, is a national membership organisation in the United Kingdom for adults and children who stammer...
.