Conversations About Stuttering

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Re: Conversing with an adolesenct

From: Judy
Date: 16 Oct 2007
Time: 16:47:53 -0500
Remote Name: 70.22.163.191

Comments

Yaakov, I'm sorry for taking so long to respond. Also, thank you for noticing how my paper may have been confusing. The cards are not intended to be the way in which a questionnaire is completed. Questionnaires are just a resource for what questions/topics to put on cards for the purpose of discussion. You introduced the topic of adolescents. I agree with you that a card game approach is not appropriate for some teens. But watch out that you are not deceived by outward appearances! That mature outer convering may mask a terrified soul. After falling on my face with one of my first teenage students, I volunteered in a non-profit organization helping out with teen programs for several years. I also did alot more reading on the topic. This really helped me to expect the unexpected and have confidence in my instincts and knowledge - regardless of how a teen presents at any given therapy session. Here are some resources: "Teens - the Best Stuttering Year of Your Life?" (ISAD 1999), "Directed Self-Help Stuttering Therapy With a Motivated Teenage Boy, Predominantly By E-Mail" (ISAD 2001), "The Birth of the YSP: Towards a Theory on the Young Stuttering Person" (ISAD 1998). In a on-line discussion group, the late, great Marty Jezer wrote, "...for teens, stuttering can be devastating because in addition to making communication difficult, it impinges on essential teenage issues of identity, self-image, esteem, comfidence, and all the social skills. I believe a therapist has to tackle these hidden issues." (STUTT-L@LISTMAIL.TEMPLE.EDU, Fri, 16 Apr 2004 11:31:31 - 0400) In an ADVANCE magazine article, Tommie L. Robinson, Jr., Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BRS-FD provides a description of stuttering therapy in "Real-Life Therapy For Adolescents Who Stutter (www.advanceweb.com, Nov. 28, 2005)One thing he says is we "...give them several different options from a therapeutic standpoint, they tend to pick the one that's appropriate and right for them." Another handy skill is to know how to admit you are wrong. To maintain a healthy perspective and peace of mind, it helps for an SLP to have a sense of humor as well. Read Patrick Doherty's forward to my book on the Friends website if you'd like to know how not to do stuttering therapy with a teen! :) Teens are very special creatures and if you let them in, they will warm your heart and stay with you forever.


Last changed: 10/22/07