Summary of a telephone self-help group conference call in which Anne Blight was guest speaker - February 2005.

What is the Starfish Project?

The principle of the training is to learn a technique that can be used to replace the 'stammering habit', and to work on managing the feelings around stammering. It was established seven years ago by Anne Blight who moved on from the McGuire Program. The objective is to build up a 'toolbox' of approaches that can help in different circumstances. Starfish makes no claim to cure stammering.

What [speech] technique is taught?

The technique is costal breathing (for details see this website's costal breathing page). About half the time is spent on costal breathing and half on the management of feelings associated with stammering.

How does it work?

Anne: There is a three-day highly intensive class with 8-10 people, with a 'safety net' of ongoing support after the initial training. Attendees can return free of charge to any future course, and/or join any of our nationwide support groups. Some people do additional training, others don't - and there is no pressure either way. The course is deliberately non-intrusive. Attendees can discuss as much or as little about their own situation as they choose. Everyone on the Project has the backup of a phone support contact list of over 100 people, available 7 days a week.

What is the format of the self-help groups?

Anne: The groups are meant to be fun sessions to practice technique and provide support. Groups often meet for two hours a month or fortnight. These groups are open to spouses, partners, work colleagues and friends to provide support and increase understanding of stammering.

What is the most important factor you have seen in students who have succeeded for the long term?

Anne: Those who are committed to change and have worked hard to become effective at costal breathing, and have taken full advantage of regular follow up courses and self-help groups have the best chance of continued success. There is no magic to a successful student - they work hard and are committed for the long haul. Attendees must commit to learning the technique and have the discipline to keep practicing it.

Has the Starfish project tracked the success of the program in both the short and long term?

Anne: Yes and no. We have testimonials from course attendees supporting the benefits of the program, including a 747 aircraft pilot. But when we talk of success, the issue is 'what to measure'? Good fluency means different things to different people. Unlike some courses, Starfish doesn't use statistics as a marketing tool.

Comment from Hayley Sutton who has returned to help with Starfish training:

The course is a LOT of work up front. Sometimes I would revert back to old ways and old thinking. But I would chip away slowly but surely at getting better at what I wanted to do. And I work in a call centre! So there is always a lot of pressure to communicate well. I use the technique most, but not all the time. Before the course I used to hate making presentations, now I look forward to them - I see that as a personal success.
My speech is (often) choppy, but most importantly is how I feel. The course has made a huge difference to me in this way. That is where I crossed the line between (failure and success).

Can people who stammer, who also have dyspraxia, benefit from the breathing techniques?

Anne: The main focus of the course is to help with stammering, but it is open to all. We have had attendees recovering from a stroke - working on inarticulate speech. The course helped them in a very positive way, though our primary focus will always be stammering.

Would I lack credibility as a covert stammerer on the course?

Anne: Very often I am asked this question. Your stammer is your stammer. The goal is to be comfortable saying exactly what you want to say when you want to say it. Getting out of old habits is not easy, but is the key to making progress. After the course, those with overt stammers often show what a big difference they have made for themselves. For the covert, it is having the weight lifted off your shoulders and being able to take off the mask.

Further information: see our Costal breathing page.

From the Summer 2005 edition of Speaking Out

See also:
Adult therapy and courses
Telephone self-help groups