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From: Charlie Healey
Date: 16 Oct 2008
Time: 14:31:29 -0500
Remote Name: 129.93.99.57
Thanks for your question about the need for courses in stuttering. Indeed, I feel that a fluency disorders course should be taught as a core course in every training program in our profession. That's my bias, obviously. However, I also know that there aren't a lot of people in our profession who feel comfortable teaching this disorder and we have only a small number of people who consider themselves specialists in stuttering. So, it is hard to find people to teach a fluency disorders course in every training program. Years ago, they did away with the requirement that graduate programs had to provide a course in stuttering. I have no idea how students pass the competencies in the area of fluency disorders without having a course in the area. However, if you graduate from a program that does not require a course, I would encourage you to attend one of the Stuttering Foundation workshops that are held each summer so you can learn some essential skills in helping people who stutter. I have spent my whole career specializing in this area and there is still lots that I don't know. So, just taking a course won't make you a good stuttering therapist but at least you will have the knowledge base.