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From: Vivian Sisskin
Date: 01 Oct 2008
Time: 14:36:22 -0500
Remote Name: 129.2.24.10
Pam, The general public barely understands the complexities of the stuttering problem when it is quite overt, let alone understanding someone who manages to keep their stuttering hidden. As a clinician, I think it is important to acknowledge that covert stuttering is a serious problem. I am told that some speech-language pathologists will actually send someone with a covert stuttering problem away, saying, “You sound fine to me, don’t worry about it”. Listening to the client and learning how concealment efforts impact his/her quality of life and ability to function on a daily basis is the first step. Validating that the “mental gymnastics” required to manipulate conversations, time responses to questions, limit verbal expression, and avoid words/situations can help to establish trust. The client needs to know that their clinician really “gets it”. The PWS makes the most progress when (s)he decides to move towards giving up the false role they hold on to… the role of a fluent person. This is not an easy process. Self-acceptance as a PWS takes time and a good deal of cognitive restructuring, resulting in changing one’s definition of success and failure. The transformation from viewing stuttering as a failure to viewing stuttering as a success, at least in early stages of therapy, is a life-changing and freeing experience.