“Just Do It”: Reflections from AIS Workshop Participants

‍^{Have you ever seen an AIS event and thought you might want to join, but weren’t sure what it would really be like? In this blog post, we’ll highlight what AIS’s Mindfulness and Intention-Setting Workshop is about, share comments from previous participants, and outline two participants’ experiences after completing the workshop. If you’re contemplating joining but feel unsure, check out what past participants have to say about their experiences!}

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‍Participant Q&A: Experiences, Takeaways, and Advice

What did you enjoy most about the workshop?

• “I loved getting the chance to meet and connect with other people who stutter. AIS events in general are great for this but since the workshop is all day, you really get a chance to know people more than you would at a two hour event.”
• “I liked that we got a chance to challenge ourselves and challenge each other to go out on the street and speak to strangers. During the workshop we got to meet other people who stutter too, and make friends with them.”

What are your main takeaways from the experience?

• “Having a support network of both people who stutter and speech therapists is so important, no matter where you are in your journey.”
• “I learned how to be more mindful about my stuttering - I can pay attention to what happens to my body when I stutter and notice the tension and relieve it when it comes. For example, when I talk to a stranger and notice the tension in my body I can stop for a second and release the tension and ask the question again.”

What surprised you most about the workshop?

• “I was surprised by how much more motivated I felt to complete challenges when in a group.”
• “That Heather, the leader of the workshop, went with me to stutter on purpose. That really helped me because I felt uncomfortable, and it led to a realization that I want to get to the point where I have made stuttering comfortable in my mind. If I feel comfortable when I hear others stuttering, it means I can be okay with my stuttering.”

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What would you tell someone who is contemplating but not sure about joining the workshop?

• “Just do it. No matter where you are in your journey, the workshop has something you can take away.”
• “If their stutter bothers them on a regular basis, they have to take a small step and get out of their comfort zone. The small step they can take is to register for this kind of workshop, and then the rest will follow. They will get out of their comfort zone and learn a lot. They don't have to do much right away, just sign up online for the workshop.”

How has the workshop affected you since attending?

• “I self-disclosed in an interview for the first time, something that I never thought I’d be able to do even two months ago, and I really credit the mindfulness event for helping me get there.”
• “I've done the workshop three times and for me it had a compounding effect. The more I practiced mindfulness at the workshop, the more it became automatic in everyday life. Now I can use it during my day to day interactions, like when I'm interacting with clients at work.”

Workshop Feedback

• “This was the third time I have participated in this workshop and I see myself making so much improvement managing my tension when I talk.”
• “I recently had a vacation with family and that was always so hard for me, but I found the techniques to stay present and release tension helped me so much! I can’t wait for the next one!”
• “I was nervous to attend because I don’t like going out to do desensitization challenges, but I really liked how I was able to work on my own intention of being more comfortable talking in front of the group, taking my time, and watching others complete their challenges.”
• “It is always great to connect with others who stutter, and I thought it was really great that we practiced grounding strategies and releasing tension when it arises.”

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We're grateful to everyone who shared their experiences, and we hope these reflections inspire, motivate, and If you are curious or interested, come join us at our next workshop!

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The American Institute for Stuttering is a leading non-profit organization whose primary mission is to provide universally affordable, state-of-the-art speech therapy to people of all ages who stutter, guidance to their families, and much-needed clinical training to speech professionals wishing to gain expertise in stuttering. Offices are located in New York, NY, Atlanta, GA, and online. Our mission extends to advancing public and scholarly understanding of this often misunderstood disorder.