Charles Van Riper

Charles Van Riper was a prominent American speech pathologist known for his influential work on stuttering. He developed important theories and techniques that focused on treating speech disorders, emphasizing the need to understand the psychological aspects of stuttering. Van Riper created the "fluency shaping" approach and the "stuttering modification" therapy, which helps individuals manage their speech in a more fluent manner. His contributions significantly advanced the field of speech therapy, providing both practical tools for clinicians and a deeper understanding of the nature of stuttering, thus improving the lives of many who struggle with speech difficulties.