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Diagnosing Valsalva Stuttering: Suggested Criteria

By William D. Parry

The full involvement of the Valsalva mechanism in various types of stuttering behavior cannot be determined without further research. In the meantime, the following criteria are suggested for selecting those individuals who most clearly seem to exhibit Valsalva-type stuttering and who would be most likely to benefit from Valsalva control.

Excluding Complicating Factors

Are you currently free from brain damage or other identifiable neurological defects or deficits? Yes 9 No 9

Are you free from physical defects that affect your speaking or breathing? Yes 9 No 9

Was the onset of your stuttering not related to head trauma or other disease or condition affecting the brain? Yes 9 No 9

Characteristics of Stuttering

Are you able to talk fluently some of the time, or in certain situations? Yes 9 No 9

Are you fluent when you sing? Yes 9 No 9

Are you fluent when you read in unison with someone else? Yes 9 No 9

Does the severity of your stuttering vary depending on the speaking situation or the words being said? Yes 9 No 9

Do you tend to stutter more on the words that are most important? Yes 9 No 9

When you stutter, are any of the following true? Yes 9 No 9

	Your words are sometimes blocked by tight closure of your lips, your tongue, or your larynx (your throat)? Yes 9 No 9
	When you have a block, whether it be sustained or repetitive, you feel tightness in your abdominal and/or chest muscles and increased air pressure in your lungs? Yes 9 No 9
	You sometimes have difficulty or delays in making voiced sounds (phonation)? Yes 9 No 9

Valsalva Exercise

Perform the following exercise:

Curl your fingers, and link both hands together in front of your chest. Take a deep breath. Now try to pull your hands apart, as hard as you can, without letting go. (If you are seated at a desk or heavy table, an alternative would be to put your fingers under the edge of the desk or table and try to lift it.)

(Warning: You shouldn't overdo the Valsalva maneuver, particularly if you have a heart condition. In extreme cases a person might pass out.)

While you are pulling (or lifting):

	Do you notice the muscles in your chest and abdomen tightening up? Yes 9 No 9
	Do you notice your throat closing up? Yes 9 No 9
	Do you notice your throat closing more tightly, the harder you pull (or lift)? Yes 9 No 9
	Does your throat feel the same as when you block on initial vowel sounds (as in "apple")? Yes 9 No 9

Now try the same exercise again. This time, start by putting your lips together and pretend you are going to say a p sound. Now pull your hands apart (or lift) as hard as you can. While you are pulling (or lifting):

	Do you find your lips pressing tightly together? Yes 9 No 9
	Do your lips feel the same as when you block on consonants like b and p? Yes 9 No 9

Now see what happens when you press the tip of your tongue to the ridge behind your upper front teeth, and pretend you are going to say the t sound. Take a deep breath and start pulling (or lifting). While you are pulling (or lifting):

	Do you feel the tip of tongue pressing forcefully? Yes 9 No 9
	Does this forceful closures feel the same as when you block on consonants like d and t? Yes 9 No 9

(This exercise can be repeated using the articulation positions for other consonants.)

Intentionally do a sustained, forceful block on the p sound, similar to stuttering blocks you have personally experienced. While you are blocking, relax your abdominal muscles.

	Did the force of the block automatically disappear? Yes 9 No 9
	Are you unable to make the same kind of forceful block while relaxing your abdominal muscles? Yes 9 No 9

If the answers to all, or nearly all, of the above questions are "Yes," the Valsalva mechanism would appear to be involved in your stuttering behavior, and Valsalva Control should be seriously considered.

This site has been visited times since May 2, 2005.

Last modified May 2, 2005

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