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From: Gary J. Rentschler
Date: 14 Oct 2008
Time: 13:36:11 -0500
Remote Name: 165.190.57.240
Ed, most professions have the "niceities", and SLP is no different. I think you'd find there to be a great deal of diversity in beliefs about stuttering amongst those in the field. Amongst the things I've learned in life is not to try to make myself look better by putting others down. I hate when I have a carpenter or plumber to fix something in my house and have him badmouth to previous guys who did work for me. The whole situation just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But don't mistake that for a lack of diverse opinions and beliefs. When clients ask me my opinion about another therapist or researcher, I'm happy to provide my bias and explain how my personal views differ from others.. but that doesn't come along with "an attitude". Every profession has its "prevailing thoughts" and theories.. the same for SLP. Yet there are always those mavericks out there exploring other avenues... same in SLP. So I don't see that any lack of criticism is playing any role?! The ASHA Code of Ethics does not have a specific prohibition about bad mouthing or being critical of others... its just in bad taste, perhaps reflecting poorly on the profession. The sanctions for violating the Code of Ethics can be significant... including losing your certification.. this is paramount to not being able to be employed as an SLP. Almost all therapists are certified, but the same is not true of researchers. I'm inferring from your question that you feel that SLPs in stuttering are just large, solidified unit.... from my vantage point I'm not seeing that. Its a free market out there. Anyone is free to do any research they wish and invent any treatment they wish. But not every research or treatment endeavor is successful or based in good science. But if someone doesn't explore their ideas wouldn't that decrease the likelihood that good findings would result? Maybe there's a profession that's different than that, but I'm not aware of it. I don't see the conspiracy to which you allude.