This document presents a hypothesis that design methodology may offer solutions to flaws in modern speech therapies for stuttering. It proposes examining problems from multiple perspectives and promoting experimentation, as in the "T-shaped designer" concept, rather than unrealistic expectations of perfection or narrow treatment focus. Comparisons are made between therapy flaws and design principles that could provide more holistic and personalized approaches. The research will study design innovators and theories to develop a new therapy method applying interdisciplinary insights.

1. DIRECTED RESEARCH
Ray Mancini | Prof. Tom Klinkowstein

2. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Most modern speech therapies have flaws,
and no single technique works for everyone
suffering from disfluency.
Can design thinking possibly form the foundation
for a new method of therapy?

3. 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 approaches, which often set unrealistic
expectations of perfection or focus on only one area for improvement,
design thinking examines a problem from all sides and promotes
experimentation. A concept like the “T-shaped Designer”, emphasizing a
strong skill set in conjunction with a larger knowledge base, could offer a
robust approach currently not being utilized in the speech therapy field.
Such research and comparison could bring interdisciplinary insight into
understanding and circumventing the limited verbal communication of
stutterers.

4. FLAW / DESIGN COMPARISONS
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 No streamlining/filtering of spoken content.
DESIGN Simplify a larger message to its focused essence.
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 effectively.

5. INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATION
ADRIAN HILL
ARTIST, ART THERAPIST, EDUCATOR (1895-1977)
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”

6. WIDENING ONE’S KNOWLEDGE BASE
TIM BROWN
CEO AND PRESIDENT OF IDEO
Spoke of “T-shaped People, individuals with a deep
skill set in their chosen field, plus a broader range of
interdisciplinary and social skills.
Able to explore insights from many different
perspectives and recognize patterns of behavior.

7. CONTINUOUS EXPERIMENTATION
MALCOLM FRASER
PHILANTHROPIST, BUSINESSMAN, STUTTERER (1903 - 1994)
Founded the Stuttering Foundation of America using
$10 million of his own money
Authored “Self-Therapy for the Stutterer”, providing
guidance for stutterers to help themselves without
conventional therapy.

8. OUTLINE
MY STORY
PROBLEM / HYPOTHESIS
SPEECH DISFLUENCY
• Overview
• Types of Available Therapies
• Therapy Shortcomings / Flaws
DESIGN METHODOLOGY
• Overview
• Evolution of design methodologies through history
• Specific design thinkers
• Specific design methodologies

9. VALORIZED DESIGNER #1
“The valorized designer should see design for its
major potential contribution to making the
quality of life richer and more sustainable.”
My thesis has the potential to alter the lives of
many stutterers, including myself. The final
output may be a new and unique addition to the
fields of design AND speech therapy.

10. VALORIZED DESIGNER #2
“It is important that (designers) see how the
ideas they are studying are changing: where the
ideas have come from, how they have changed,
and how they may develop.”
By studying historical and contemporary design
methodologies and speech therapies, I can arrive
at a well-informed solution for my thesis.

11. VALORIZED DESIGNER #3
“The valorized designer will be able to evaluate
design as an integral and integrated part of a
particular society.”
My thesis may potentially show how design
thinking can aid a very large group of people
afflicted with a severe limitation. This places
design in direct relation to a stuttering
community that may not yet be aware of
design’s potential to help them.

12. RESEARCH SOURCES
SPEECH THERAPY
• National Stuttering Association (NSA)
• Stuttering Foundation of America
• British Stammering Association (BSA)
• Various Therapists
• Specific therapy cases
• My own current experiences and the experiences of others
INNOVATORS IN DESIGN THINKING
• IDEO - Tim Brown, David Kelley
• Roger Martin
DESIGN THEORIES / APPROACHES
1. T-shaped Designers
2. Transition Theory
3. Analytic vs. Intuitive Thinking
4. Other interdisciplinary applications of design thinking

13. ADJACENT APPLICATIONS
Besides Speech Therapy, the hypothesis and
research presented here could possibly be
applied to other physical or mental disabilities.