How the tapping technique helps me with stammering

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Izzy

Izzy Stephenson tells us about the method her speech coach taught her, and why she likes it.

I would like to share a technique that I have found really helpful when I'm having difficulty talking. It's called the 'hand tapping' technique and it's simple. I break each word in each sentence into syllables and tap my thigh, arm or hips while saying them. For example, the word 'because' would be 'be-cause', sorry' would be 'so-rry', 'appointment' would be 'app-oint-ment', etc. I have been doing this technique for about two months now and to be completely honest, I never get tired of it, it's awesome. 

I have a speech coach here in Cambridge, who is amazing. She noticed that I was fidgeting whilst speaking and suggested I try the technique. When I got home that day, I was feeling a bit down. I started patting my thigh and said out loud to myself, "Don't worry Izzy, nobody's a perfect speaker'. I then realised that as I was speaking I didn't stammer once. And it just went from there. Out of all the techniques my speech coach has taught me, the tapping technique is my favourite as it is quick and easy, and you can do it anywhere — when out shopping, making phone calls, at work and even chilling with your family. 

It took me a few weeks to come out of the shadows and tap, but when I did, they didn't care in the slightest.

To tell the truth, I was pretty hesitant to use it at my voluntary work, as it was the first time that I did it in front of the customers and the other people who work there. It took me a few weeks to come out of the shadows and tap, but when I did, they didn't care in the slightest. Now, I do it everywhere. 

If anyone else is inspired to have a go, my word of advice for this technique is: it is OK to be nervous for the first time, so try it with your loved ones for the first few weeks before trying it in the outside world, so that you can get used to it. 

I wanted to explore the tapping technique a bit more, so I looked it up online and noticed that there's a similar thing called the 'emotional freedom technique'. It isn't directly related to stammering but it's supposed to help relieve tension and anxiety. It's pretty clever actually as all it involves is tapping on the main 'meridian points' on your face and body while focusing on an anxiety you might have. It's said to help reduce intense feelings, which in turn can help you to accept your body and mind as well as your voice. 

I was looking for something to help with my speech that I could use to wrap around myself like a warm special hug, something that would fill me with dreams for the future. I've found that the hand tapping technique has shown me just that.

If this is something you'd like to explore, it might be an idea to speak with a speech & language therapist, who can explain it fully. See how you can find details of your local NHS or private therapy services.

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