Evening star., 1938-05-01

HE most remarkable recovery TO
which Mr.. Hutcheson can point
among the cases he has treated is
the tongue-tied graduate student.
Two and half weeks after this man
began corrective work, a minor surgi-
cal operation first being performed, he
was talking normally.
As for his methods in treating
speech defects. for which there exist
20 physical and is psychic causes,
Mr.. Hutcheson has this to say:
Correction Of speech defects re-
quires complete change of q COM
plicated set Of reflexes which control
the mechanism Of speech. Like riding
bicycle, correct speech becomes au-
tomato once the proper reflex pat
terms have been established"
The treatment for building new re-
hexes, once the old habit patterns
are broken down by silent periods en-
forced on the student, involve the
employment Of the mechanism for
seeing. hearing and keeping ones
mind on the job at hand. For ex-
ample, in vowel drills, the instructor
points to vowel on the chart, pro-
nounces 1t, and with a snap of his
hand indicates when the student lis
to repeat the sound.
Before starting his course each stu
dent Is studied by the instructor for
his own particular problems. Every
case is an individual one," Mr.. Hutch
eson pointed out. Then the student
Is put on silent period, other men,
bers of the faculty cooperating, In
order to break down old speech habits.
Since principal part Of the treat
ment has to do with building self
confidence in the student, other boys
are urged to "razz" him q little for
keeping silent. In this connection,
too, 1t might be said that when he
is not on silence he is required to
ask embarrassing questions, such as
approaching gasoline station and
asking the attendant where the par
ucular type Of gasoline Is sold which
he dispenses.
DURING the silent period, the stu
dent is being drilled IN the clinic
in syllabication, phrasing and finally,
normal speech, all with the aid of
q special manual When he goes off
Silence" he is drilled again In the
manual, with intermittent periods
when he is not permitted to talk.
Finally, there Is the polishing
period" when he is required to read
poetry aloud and make speeches be-
fore the other members of the clinic.
A final three-day silent period, and
he is ready for commencement"
Specifically, these are the nAstnods
by which correct is attained:
The development Of better refiexes,
both mental and physical through
voice exercises and tongue gymnas-
tics.
The development Of a new and
stronger voice through relaxation of
the throat muscles, subconscious con-
troll. and natural vibration or voice
support on the theory that O new
and stronger voice win help to elm
mate phobias associated with the old
voice.
The development Of proper con-
sonant modification Of vowels In order
to overcome old habits Of feeling"
the vowels and sounding the con-
sonants only.
Sylabication of words with especial
emphasis on the vowel as the vehicle
of the word.
Silent reading for the study and
production Of phrasing.
Reading aloud before a mirror In
order to experience Installation of.
the vocal organs, a new auditory i'm
agery.
Didactic practice OF selections to
develop natural pitch, resonance. voice
support and emphasis on vowels and
phrasing in order to substitute de-
lucrative action for the old inpul-
s1ve action in speech.
Conversation while under the control
OF suggestion" by the teacher. and
practice in giving commands to others
IN the classroom.
Careful observation for the time
when the student partially forgets
that he was stammerer, that is. the
reduction Of the old habits to a
marginal consciousness.
Practice conversation with strangers
and on the telephone.