Seven Principles of Stuttering Therapy

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Re: Principles...

From: Retz
Date: 10 Oct 2007
Time: 10:09:04 -0500
Remote Name: 69.210.121.8

Comments

Charlie - What I mean by "Do No Harm" is, to me, the over riding initial consideration as a principle that professionals should address honestly within themselves prior to working with a child who stutters, that child's parents, or any adult who stutters. The concept comes from the medical model. Does the clinician have the necessary training and experience with the disorder of stuttering in order to to "do no harm" to the client(s)? My experience, both professionally and personally, is that great harm can be inflicted on PWS by professionals who do not have adequate training and/or experience in successfully treating stuttering. I believe that research indicates professionals find working with those who stutter one of the least desirable and most difficult disorders to address in therapy, for any number of reasons. For example...I have had limited course work, clinical experience and/or professional training in treating clients presenting with dysphagia. Because of this lack of training and experience in my professional preparation, I always refer this type of client to a better prepared and highest qualified professional in dysphagia. For me to treat dysphagia, I would be risking "doing great harm" to that client. I would never suggest a general medical practitioner to perform open heart surgery on someone...To do so increases the risk to the patient. Most competent physicians recognize this...They do not risk "doing harm". The refer to the specialist. They make the decision to "do no harm." Unfortunately, many in our professional field do "surgery" with those who stutter without the necessary training, preparation and experience. I believe this is one of the major reasons for BRS-FD recognition.


Last changed: 10/22/07