Many smart adults have difficulty saying long words. Every time they say the word, it comes out differently. Maybe they omit certain sounds, such as a "t" in an "str" word such as strong. Maybe the vowel comes out differently as they practice.
Sometimes they have had this problem all their lives, or it may suddenly appear after a stroke or head injury.However it appears, it can be so frustrating!
Here are three things people can try. First, listen carefully for the correct pronunciation. Use the pronunciation button on online dictionaries if needed. Second, try to read the word (or visualize it in your mind) to get in all the sounds. Third,
use another word with the same meaning, such as pretend for act, to get the message across.
If none of these help, look for a certified speech pathologist who has experience in diagnosing and treating the speech disorder of verbal apraxia in adults.
Katie Schwartz, CCC-SLP is director of Business Speech Improvement (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com). She provides individual and group speech coaching on a wide variety of communication needs.
Welcome to the Verbal Image blog from Business Speech Improvement (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com)! NEW! To read our latest blog post, go to http://www.businessspeechimprovement.com/more/blog Bookmark that site and check back regularly! Please join the conversation about communication! What are your thoughts on the blog article you are reading? Comments in English are appreciated.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Speech pathologists: ready for your next career?
It's one of the three most popular times a year when speech-language pathologists (SLPs) wonder what else we can do with we skills. (The other two times are Dec-Jan, and August, in case you are wondering.)
Our skills are quite versatile! Many of us choose to combine our knowledge in speech with that of some other field, such as training, coaching, product development, research, or knowledge synthesization. Others prefer a new area of specialization, such as a disorder, setting or age group. If you've reached the point of saying, "If I ever have to _______ again, it'll be one time too many!", you need a change!
Alternative Career Options for SLPs by Katie Schwartz, CCC-SLP(www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) is a book detailing the choices made by 20 SLPs to combine speech plus some other field. If you need CEUs, go to www.onlineceus.com for the seminar on "New Career Options for SLPs", a later work by Katie Schwartz. This lists additional career choices.
Put some new enthusiasm and life into your career - try something different!
Our skills are quite versatile! Many of us choose to combine our knowledge in speech with that of some other field, such as training, coaching, product development, research, or knowledge synthesization. Others prefer a new area of specialization, such as a disorder, setting or age group. If you've reached the point of saying, "If I ever have to _______ again, it'll be one time too many!", you need a change!
Alternative Career Options for SLPs by Katie Schwartz, CCC-SLP(www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) is a book detailing the choices made by 20 SLPs to combine speech plus some other field. If you need CEUs, go to www.onlineceus.com for the seminar on "New Career Options for SLPs", a later work by Katie Schwartz. This lists additional career choices.
Put some new enthusiasm and life into your career - try something different!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Critical Thinking and Advertisements
Today I received an ad about a "great" job. Last week I passed an ad about a skin care product "with no unnecessary ingredients".
You need to wonder about these creatively written ads. If you search for the "most persuasive words in ads", you can get lists of 108 - 200 words deemed most effective. A simpler way to analyze them, though, is to think "where's the evidence"? What are they not telling us? For example, no company would waste money putting in unnecessary ingredients in a product. A job that a copywriter considers "great" may be merely one that pays his agency a wonderful placement fee.
Be a critical thinker; it pays!
Business Speech Improvement (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) provides training in critical thinking skills in its' executive communication skills seminar and other courses.
You need to wonder about these creatively written ads. If you search for the "most persuasive words in ads", you can get lists of 108 - 200 words deemed most effective. A simpler way to analyze them, though, is to think "where's the evidence"? What are they not telling us? For example, no company would waste money putting in unnecessary ingredients in a product. A job that a copywriter considers "great" may be merely one that pays his agency a wonderful placement fee.
Be a critical thinker; it pays!
Business Speech Improvement (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) provides training in critical thinking skills in its' executive communication skills seminar and other courses.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Giving in Times of Disaster: What Do You Need?
When a community experiences a disaster, such as a weather-related one, it goes through specific steps. The first one is search and rescue. Outsiders should ask people if they are OK, and then be prepared to listen - often repeatedly - to what they went through. Before offering help, whether bottled water, clothes, toiletries or whatever, ask first "What do you most need?" Those asking may be surprised at the answers.
The disaster doesn't end in a few days when the news media tires of the story and goes on to something else. Take time to keep asking, "How are you doing? What do you need?"
Whether it's a listening ear, a sense of routine and calm, replacement furniture, batteries or specialized equipment, the answers keep changing. Disasters take a long time to recover from...and life will never be the same.
If you have never experienced a weather disaster, it's a great time now to get prepared. Visit www.ready.gov and follow their suggestions. Get a weather radio, and prepare for the most likely weather emergencies in your community. Make copies of the most important financial, legal and professional records you might need after a disaster, such as your homeowner's or renter's insurance documents, your car insurance papers, your licenses, diplomas and certificates - and send one set of these to a trusted family member or friend who lives in another state, to hold in case it is ever needed. Make a second set and put it where you could grab it in the event of an evacuation. Being prepared increases your feeling of control and may reduce the after-effects of a disaster.
You can't prevent disasters, but you can get prepared for them and listen carefully to those who have experienced one.
Business Speech Improvement (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) provides intensive training in verbal communication skills, such as listening and asking critical questions.
The disaster doesn't end in a few days when the news media tires of the story and goes on to something else. Take time to keep asking, "How are you doing? What do you need?"
Whether it's a listening ear, a sense of routine and calm, replacement furniture, batteries or specialized equipment, the answers keep changing. Disasters take a long time to recover from...and life will never be the same.
If you have never experienced a weather disaster, it's a great time now to get prepared. Visit www.ready.gov and follow their suggestions. Get a weather radio, and prepare for the most likely weather emergencies in your community. Make copies of the most important financial, legal and professional records you might need after a disaster, such as your homeowner's or renter's insurance documents, your car insurance papers, your licenses, diplomas and certificates - and send one set of these to a trusted family member or friend who lives in another state, to hold in case it is ever needed. Make a second set and put it where you could grab it in the event of an evacuation. Being prepared increases your feeling of control and may reduce the after-effects of a disaster.
You can't prevent disasters, but you can get prepared for them and listen carefully to those who have experienced one.
Business Speech Improvement (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) provides intensive training in verbal communication skills, such as listening and asking critical questions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)