Drama techniques as part of cluttering therapy according to the verbotonal method

Abstract

Cluttering is a syndrome characterised by a wide range of symptoms. It always contains one or more key elements such as abnormally fast speech rate, greater than expected number of disfluencies, reduced intelligibility due to over-coarticulation and indistinct articulation, inappropriate brakes in speech pattern, monotone speech, disturbance in language planning, etc. Drama activities and storytelling share a number of features that allow spontaneous use during therapy process and detachment from real-time, concrete place or true identity, and therefore allow unprecedented freedom in choosing and creating speech-language expressions. The use of drama elements and techniques in cluttering therapy enables better focusing of the child during therapeutic process and better integration of acquired speech/language skills and knowledge. During therapy, we should be aware to correct the patient both in speech production and in the perception of his/her own speech. From the aspect of speech pathology, it is important how auditory and visual information during patient’s production influence on his/her overall perception of his/her own speech. For all those reasons, it is especially important to choose the appropriate story or event and to present it in a way that ensures good interaction during therapy. The presentation of dramatisation is the ideal tool for stimulation and development of different speech activities, with focus on fluency, correct articulation and other elements that make up values of spoken language. Drama techniques can be implemented trough drama activities or storytelling. When working with children, storytelling and drama techniques can be integrated and combined in multiple ways in order to provide robust and flexible transition toward a structured language.