1. DIRECTED RESEARCH
Ray Mancini | Prof. Tom Klinkowstein | Tuesday, 6 pm
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

2. “Limitations force us to be creative and explore different techniques”
- Theo Watson, Interactive Artist
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

3. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Most modern speech therapies have flaws,
and no single technique works for everyone.
Does being a designer, or thinking as a
designer would, offer the foundation for a
new method of therapy?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

4. HYPOTHESIS
This thesis presents the hypothesis that design methodology may offer
a partial solution to overarching flaws in modern day speech therapies.
In contrast to current stuttering techniques, which often set unrealistic
expectations of perfection or focus on only one area for improvement,
design methodology examines a problem from all sides and welcomes
the imperfections and mistakes that regularly lead to a stronger
solution. Therapies often subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach, or
ignore the necessary self-motivation and understanding that will allow
stutterers to truly change their behaviors, while designers realize that
every project requires a unique approach that moves beyond pre-
conceived limitations.
Such a hypothesis could create a completely new method for
stutterers, one that they could utilize to better prepare for and
succeed in the challenges they face.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

5. GENERAL EXAMPLES
FLAW Expectation of perfection.
DESIGN Mistakes are aesthetically desirable.
FLAW Narrow treatment focus.
DESIGN Look at all aspects of a problem (context, history,
environment) to achieve a successful solution.
FLAW Lasting changes are not achieve due to lack of self-
motivation and understanding.
DESIGN Encourages one to creatively experimentation in order
to reframe original ideas and goals
FLAW Many “one-size-fits-all” approaches
DESIGN Every problem needs a unique approach.
FLAW Limitations will never allow “normal” communication
DESIGN Limitations force us to be creative and explore different
techniques to communicate.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

6. ADRIAN HILL
ARTIST, ART THERAPIST, EDUCATOR (1895-1977)
British Artist who discovered the therapeutic
benefits of drawing and painting while recovering
from tuberculosis
Coined the term ‘art therapy’
Said the value of art therapy lay in ‘completely
engrossing the mind (as well as the fingers)
Suggested artistic work to his fellow inpatients, who
were documented in 1945 in a book, under the title,
Art Versus Illness
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

7. CHARLES VAN RIPER
STUTTERER, SPEECH PATHOLOGIST (1905 - 1994)
Pioneer in the development of speech pathology.
Developed “Stuttering Modification therapy”,
which focused on reducing the fears and
anxieties of stutterers.
Stutterers should become aware of everything
they do...from anticipation of stuttering, to
struggling during a block, and to the utterance
of the word.
“Stuttering is everything we do trying not to
stutter”.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

8. MALCOLM FRASER
PHILANTHROPIST, BUSINESSMAN, STUTTERER (1903 - 1994)
Founded the Stuttering Foundation of America
Gave $10 million dollars over his lifetime towards
stuttering research.
Authored “Self-Therapy for the Stutterer”, providing
guidance for stutterers to help themselves without
conventional therapy.
Outlined a series of objectives and challenges that
would serve as a map for adult stutterers.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

9. OUTLINE
My Story
Hypothesis
Speech Disfluency • Overview
• Types of Available Therapies
• Therapy Shortcomings / Flaws
Design Methodology • Overview
• Applicable methodologies
• Therapy Shortcomings
• Overview
New Design-based
Method for stutterers • Proposed Method
• How this Method solves flaws / advantages
• Method’s Place in the greater sphere of speech therapy
Tuesday, June 28, 2011