SLP Students Just Wanna Have FUN!

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Re: Feedback

From: Russ Hicks
Date: 22 Oct 2008
Time: 12:16:15 -0500
Remote Name: 70.104.19.41

Comments

Hi Jennifer, The feedback from people who stutter does not have to be intimidating. As a matter of fact we work very hard on that aspect. When we think of "feedback" from people we tend to think "critique" and it's not that way at all. The best approach I've found is the evaluation technique from Toastmasters. That's where you do everything you can to point out the STRONG points the student already has (and typically is totally unaware of) like "You have wonderful smile and excellent eye contact! Those qualities are very valuable in helping you communicate with your clients." Build her up give her suggestions for how she can make her communication with her clients even better. Example: "You communicate so well verbally, I'd like to see if you could make some drawings to illustrate your point even more." Whatever you do, the client should NEVER get negative with the student. You want her to leave the interview with the feeling of "Hey, I can do this! That was really fun! And that idea of drawing something would have never occurred to me. That's a cool idea. I'll try that!" .... This kind of evaluation technique takes a lot of practice, to be sure. But it works! That's why I push Toastmasters so much at our NSA meetings. It helps you in nearly all aspects of your life regarding communicating with other people. .... I really helps for both the students and the people who stutter think in terms of all of us being on the same team. And we really are! We want to make each student feel empowered and confident and realize that she is probably doing a BETTER job than she thinks she is! And if we can have fun in the process, it's a fantastic win-win situation for everyone involved! ..... I wish you the very best in your school and in your career, Jennifer. I hope our paths cross some day. .... Russ


Last changed: 10/22/08