Author: Jessica Turner
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What Is Stuttering?
Stuttering is more than just “getting stuck” on a word—it’s a disruption in the natural flow of speech. These disruptions, also called disfluencies, can look different for each person. They may appear as: Repetitive sounds at the start of a word (e.g., “b-b-ball”) Whole-word repetitions (e.g., “can, can, can you help me?”) Syllable repetitions (e.g.,…
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Tone of Voice: The Hidden Power of Nonverbal Communication
We often focus on what we say, but just as important is how we say it. Tone of voice—the pitch, pace, volume, and emotion carried in our speech—shapes meaning far beyond the words themselves. A single phrase can be interpreted in multiple ways depending on tone: consider how “I’m fine” can sound sincere, sarcastic, annoyed,…
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Flexible Thinking—The Key to Adaptability
How to Pivot When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned Life rarely goes exactly the way we expect. A meeting gets rescheduled, the computer crashes, traffic causes delays, or someone else’s priorities suddenly become urgent. That’s where flexible thinking—a core executive function skill—comes in. Think of a time when life threw you a curveball and you…
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The Power of Pausing in Conversation
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Why Pausing Matters In our fast-paced world, silence in conversation can feel uncomfortable. Many of us are quick to fill gaps with words, filler sounds, or nervous chatter. But here’s the truth: pausing is not a weakness—it’s one of the most powerful tools you can use for clearer, more confident communication. Think of some of…
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Moving Forward After Miscommunication
No matter how careful we are, miscommunication happens. A text is read the wrong way, an assumption goes unchecked, or words are taken out of context. Fortunately, most misunderstandings can be repaired with patience and clarity. But what happens after the repair? That part is just as important. If we hold onto frustration or quietly…
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What Is Active Listening and Why It Matters
More Than Just Hearing We’ve all been in conversations where it’s obvious the other person isn’t fully tuned in. Maybe they’re glancing at their phone, mentally running through their grocery list, or already planning what they’re going to say next. Technically, they hear you—but they’re not really listening. That’s where active listening comes in. Active…
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Inside Accent Modification: What Practice Really Looks Like
If you’ve ever wondered what accent modification involves day to day, you’re not alone. Many people are curious but hesitant—unsure if the process will feel natural, too technical, or even overwhelming. The truth is, accent modification is a supportive, step-by-step approach. It’s not about drilling endlessly until you “sound American.” Instead, it’s about learning practical…
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Progress over perfection. Always.
Have you ever had that awful, overwhelming feeling?You have a million things to accomplish and no idea how you’re going to get everything done by the deadline. Of course you have—we all have. Have you ever actually missed a deadline?What did you do next? Did you panic?Beat yourself up?Carve out time to finish the task as soon…
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Everyday Tips to Communicate with Confidence When You Stutter
Your Voice Matters For years, there have been Speech-Language Pathologists advocating both for and against treating people for stuttering. I happen to believe that treatment is appropriate and warranted for both children and adults. I will say that treatment looks very different in either case. For adults who are interested in treatment for stuttering, you…
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Accent Modification: Finding Your Confident Voice
When people hear the term accent modification, they sometimes think it means “getting rid of” an accent. In reality, accent modification is not about erasing where you’re from or changing your identity. It’s about building clarity and confidence so your message is understood exactly as you intend it. We all have an accent. It’s shaped…
