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From: Alan Badmington
Date: 13 Oct 2007
Time: 04:05:23 -0500
Remote Name: 195.194.75.225
Hi Angela, Thank you for taking the time to participate in the online discussion. You ask, "If you could tell a student of speech pathololgy anything to benefit them in working with a child who stutters, what advice would you give?" Where do I start? - there is so much that I want to say, but I am severely restricted by the fact that I am currently having to use a computer at my local library, because my own in out-of-order. Firstly, I feel that the student should create an environment/relationship in which the young client feels comfortable in sharing their thoughts and experiences. Trust is so important. It is also important to let them know that they are not alone. Having met, or corresponded with, several thousand PWS during recent years, I am aware that so many do not realise that there are others who are experiencing similar difficulties. Children who stutter may find problems accepting the fact that they appear different from other children at school. It may be useful to afford them access to a poem (entitled 'Everyone's Different') that I wrote for the 2004 ISAD Online Conference about that very fact. Simply click on:http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad7/papers/badmington7/badmington27.html Another poem that I wrote ('Changing the Words Around') should enable you to gain a better understanding of the implications of avoidance. It can be found at:http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad7/papers/badmington7/badmington17.html It is accompanied by some wonderful drawings by my great friend, Christine Baadgett-Richards, an American now living in the UK. May I also suggest that if you request a client to undertake a particular task, or follow a particular direction, then you explain to him/her the reason for doing so. I have found that people generally accept things far more readily when they appreciate why they receive an explanation - particularly in relation to the benefits that they are likely to achieve. My time is rapidly coming to a close, so I'm afraid that I shall need to be brief with my final comments. ;-) Expanding our comfort zones is also SO important - as I mentioned in my paper. If you wish to read more about this concept, then may I refer you to yet another of my previous ISAD papers (STEP OUTSIDE; Why expanding comfort zones can improve our stuttering and lead to more fulfilling lives): http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad6/papers/badmington6.html I would love to write more but my time has very nearly expired. I wish you every success with your studies. Kindest regards Alan