Stuttering Therapy for Adults and Adolescents The IMS-Stuttering Modification Therapy (Intensive-Modification-Stuttering)

The workshop follows the IMS therapy approach, which is an evidence-based treatment program, following the basic principles of Charles Van Riper and Joseph Sheehan. It is modified and expanded for semi-intensive and ambulant stuttering therapy for groups and individuals.

The workshop imparts knowledge of the 4 therapy phases developed by Van Riper non-avoidance approach. It also informs about the necessary theoretical background concerning stuttering and cluttering and detailed explanations about their methodological realization will be the focus of the workshop.

Identification Phase: Contents are the different analyzing parts of overt and covert stuttering behaviors, description of step by step realization within the therapeutic process and the use of an articulatory phonetic program with the client. The value of the identification phase for the beginning of desensitization and kinesthetic perception, which is the basis of non-avoidance stuttering therapy, will be shown.

Desensitization Phase: The two kinds of stuttering (pseudo and “net” stuttering) will be an important part of the workshop. Clinicians will learn, how to use imitated stuttering and a new form of modified stuttering (net stuttering/easy stuttering) as an opportunity for desensitization phase and further communication.

The objectives of desensitization phase (decreasing speech anxieties and other negative emotions) and the step by step therapy procedure will be focused very deeply, because almost always a successful therapy outcome will depend on the desensitization success with the patient. How to use confrontation therapy and cognitive behavior therapy are important parts of the desensitization work. Aside, interventions form other therapy approaches (act therapy, systemic therapy…) will also be demonstrated.

Modification Phase: Block modification techniques, as used in Van Riper’s non-avoidance approach, are based on motoric processes focussing on the reduction of muscular tension and kinaesthetic movement control. The mechanism of block modification techniques will be explained and the two important techniques (preparatory set and pull-out) will be described and intensively practised. How to train kinaesthetic and proprioceptive perception with a patient, necessary for the successful modification of stuttering events, will be a basic issue.

Stabilization Phase: The IMS approach, which is a modified Van Riper approach, will use certain speech techniques (cancellation and kinesthetic controlled fluent speech) first within the last therapy phase. These techniques are a main part stabilization phase. Interventions to consolidate the success of speech techniques taught in the modification phase will also be focused on.

Hartmut Zückner

Hartmut Zückner is a speech and language therapist as well as a linguistic degree. (RWTH Aachen University). Since 1992, she has specialized in fluent speech disorders by taking workshops and trainings on Successful Therapy Management Program and Consultancy and Van RIPER therapy system. Between 1993 and 2017, he worked as an instructor in the field of fluent speech disorders at the Logopedi school in the clinic of RWTH Aachen University. He developed IMS, the treatment program widely used by German experts. IMS is an evidence-based program for adolescents and adults, inspired by C. Van Riper, J. Sheehan, and M. Wingate. Zückner developed the Desensitization Questionnaire Stuttering (DST) assessment test, which measures the desensitization status of stuttering adults. He has written many books and articles in the field of fluency disorders. He currently teaches speech and language therapists at the RWTH Aachen University at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Course Outcomes

• Will learn more about the IMS therapy approach.
• Will be educated on the non-avoidance approach and the 4 therapy phases.
• Will be provided with the necessary theoretical background concerning stuttering and cluttering and detailed explanations about their methodological realization.