Progression to Fluency

The Steps of Fluency

Many people who stutter become frustrated when they don’t achieve complete fluency in all areas and situations at once. They should not let themselves get discouraged. Every improvement, no matter how small, is proof that complete fluency can be theirs if they keep at it.

Why is this true? Very few people who stutter can go from stuttering to complete fluency in a single leap. Instead, we become fluent in stages or steps. To understand these steps, it helps to consider what “pressured speech” means to you. This varies from person to person. Typically, pressured speech ranges from least to most difficult as follows:

1. Talking to yourself when alone
2. Talking with family
3. Talking with friends
4. Speaking to strangers or in the work environment
5. Interacting with authority figures
6. Conversations in groups
7. Formal presentations to individuals or groups

You may already know these levels, but many people fail to accept that fluency usually progresses through these stages—from easiest to most difficult for them personally. Some may only need help with level 6 and 7, or level 5, or level 4. Most need help from level 2 through 7. The specific levels don’t matter; the key point is that fluency develops gradually.

Being aware of these levels helps you succeed because you won’t expect yourself to leapfrog from level 2 to 5 or 6. The strategy is “divide and conquer.” Attack stuttering at all levels, but focus on the easiest first, and celebrate every success.

Some people may achieve multiple levels at once. Your personal list of pressured situations may differ from the typical pattern or include categories not listed above. That’s perfectly fine. The important thing is to be patient with yourself and work step by step—from the least pressured situations to the most challenging. Your fluency will likely evolve progressively, and you will achieve it.

Sometimes, we push ahead too quickly and experience “bad incidents,” where our stutter becomes noticeable to others. This can be discouraging, but it is normal. For example, on April 24th, Shuozhi, a 34-year-old Ph.D. from China who has stuttered since age 6, gave a SAM Talk. He had largely achieved fluency in the first five levels but not in levels 6 and 7. He chose not to practice with his Certified Speech Coach beforehand. During the talk, the pressure of addressing a group caused some blocks, but he completed his presentation and received praise from the audience. Everyone, including his speech mates, was proud of him.

The point is this: Shuozhi is fluent in levels 1 through 5, but he still needs gradual exposure to levels 6 and 7 to build confidence in addressing groups. Just like learning to swim, we must practice in manageable steps. Trying to swim the Atlantic unassisted would be unrealistic. The more Shuozhi participates in SAM Meetings—asking questions, speaking up, and making comments—the sooner he will feel comfortable addressing larger groups.

In summary, people who stutter need to recognize the levels of pressured situations and approach them progressively. Focus on the easiest levels first, celebrate each achievement, and gradually move to more challenging situations. This step-by-step approach helps you conquer stuttering in all areas and overcome fear.

Staying on the program until completion is critical. “Finished” means:

1. No bad incidents
2. Loving to speak in all situations
3. Adopting mind-training as a lifelong, daily habit to combat negative thinking
4. Being able to say, “I converted stuttering into a blessing in my life.”