Understanding and Controlling Stuttering: A Comprehensive New Approach Based on the Valsalva Hypothesis (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A well-researched book which benefits from the author's personal experience of stammering." -- Dr. Trudy Stewart, Speaking Out

"Lucid, easy-to-read . . . . You learn to see your stuttering in an entirely new light. . . . Bill has identified and demystified one of the key elements of the [stuttering] system - the speech block - and he does it in a way that makes perfect sense." -- John Harrison, Letting Go

Product Description

Puzzled about stuttering? If so, here is a book, written in clear, every-day language, that fits together the pieces of the stuttering puzzle as never before. The key to its approach is the Valsalva Hypothesis. This exciting new theory proposes that stuttering blocks may result from a neurological confusion between the voice and the Valsalva mechanism (which normally assists us in exerting effort and forcing things out of the body). The book demonstrates how physical and psychological factors may interact to stimulate and perpetuate stuttering through a "Valsalva-Stuttering Cycle."

The book sheds new light on virtually every aspect of stuttering behavior - its causes, its paradoxes (e.g., why it's worse in some instances but not others), and its many forms of treatment. Finally, it suggests an experimental self-therapy program, called Valsalva Control, aimed at controlling the Valsalva mechanism, breaking the stuttering cycle, and freeing the stutterer's inherent fluency.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: Natl Stuttering Assn; 2 Revised edition (April 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929773013
• ISBN-13: 978-1929773015
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,699 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for anyone committed to overcoming stuttering, May 23, 2000

By A Customer

This is the best book I've ever read on stuttering. It explains the physical components of stuttering in an easy-to-understand way and provides invaluable exercises, suggestions, and information. The author has really done his research and never condescends to the reader. This is not a quick fix solution, but provides tools to make a lasting change.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm in Control, September 21, 2001

By	Katrina (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

William Parry is a genious. Not only did this book keep me on the edge of my seat, and even made me laugh, but it also revealed the secret of stuttering. This book gave me the tools for fluency. For once, I am in control of what I say. I can talk on the phone, give presentations in class, et cetera... without even thinking about how I'm going to get certain words out. Sometimes it feels like a dream. I will continue to do my excercises (half hour a day) so I never have to wake up!I recommend this book to anyone who stutters or is in the speech pathology/communications field.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valsalva Hypothesis describes my stuttering very precisely, May 29, 2002

By	Jiri Mazoch (Czech Republic) - See all my reviews

When I read about Valsalva hypothesis for the first time in an article by Mr. William Parry on the internet, I decided to buy the book "Understanding & Controlling Stuttering" to learn more about this mechanism. The book is very well written from the beginning till end. The explanation of the speech mechanism, the basics of speech, speech functions of the brain, the Valsalva mechanism and all information are written in intelligible terms. The exercises for Valsalva and speech control are very well proposed. I was always puzzled why I spoke fluently in some situations and was not able to say a single word in other ones. I knew I gave much effort to my speech. The Valsalva hypothesis is the most precise description of my stuttering I have ever encountered. I am severe stutterer and exercises described in this book improved my fluency and I hope this improvement will continue. This is the most interesting book about stuttering I have read and I recommend it to anyone who stutters.