How Beliefs and Self-Image Can Influence Stuttering

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Re: Motivation is power

From: Alan (to Kristina C)
Date: 15 Oct 2009
Time: 15:12:28 -0500
Remote Name: 81.77.200.221

Comments

Hi Kristina, Thank you, so much, for responding to my paper. I’m always heartened when a future SLP contributes to the threaded discussion. I think that such interaction is to our mutual benefit. I will attempt to answer the points that you raised, although I should stress that I have never really had any contact with children who stutter, apart from a few in the 13-16 year old range. The views that I am about to express are my personal opinions, some of which relate to my own life experiences. Someone posed a similar question earlier in the exchanges, so I hope you will forgive me for referring you to my response to Julie on October 10. Could I possibly ask you to read this reply in conjunction with those comments? In addition to the courses of action that I suggested to Julie, I wonder if it would be possible for you to arrange for the child/adolescent to participate in some group therapy. I mention this because I have derived immense benefit from spending time in the company of groups of other PWS who were also attempting to deal with their stuttering issues. As I mentioned in my paper, I acquired new techniques and tools (via a stuttering management programme) that allowed me to achieve (in a controlled environment) a high degree of control over my speech. During my initial 4-day course, I was afforded numerous opportunities to speak in front of large groups, and undertake numerous other roles, with a great deal of success. I gained hugely in confidence and started believing that I could speak well in that supportive environment. However, I suspected (from past unsuccessful therapies) that it might be difficult to transfer those gains into the real world. The programme also provided me with opportunities to speak to members of the public, whilst accompanied (and supported) by persons who had previously passed through the programme. I found that more challenging, as there were still elements of fear present, but I still enjoyed considerable success. I relished having spoken well in a multitude of different situations – I wanted more of the same. :-) I was seeing a different side of me – I was discovering a wide array of talents and abilities that I never realised I possessed. These experiences demonstrated to me that I was capable of so much more than I had previously believed. I knew that I had to change my belief system to permanently incorporate these new roles. I had role models in abundance. On my first course, there were more than 100 people in the room – the majority of whom were returning for the second, third, fourth, fifth (and more) times. That’s the way the system operates – they come back to assist the new clients. Many had made immense progress - I wanted to emulate their achievements. I found that group therapy created an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendly rivalry. We all supported each other, offering encouragement to those who might be lacking in confidence. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you see others pushing out their comfort zones in a like manner. You want to do the same. We all learned from the collective experiences. I also came into contact with these (and other) role models at subsequent courses/support groups and via an international telephone support network. Two final points: Firstly, if you wish to hold a client’s interest and stimulate motivation, then I suggest that you make the therapy fun. I’ve been having fun with my speech for the past nine years and I don’t have any intention of allowing the enjoyment to abate. Secondly, don’t hesitate to offer praise – a few encouraging words are great confidence boosters. Kristina, I apologise for the slight delay in responding to your questions but I have been engaged with other matters during the past few days. I hope that you will find something of interest in my protracted ramblings. :-) I wish you every success with your studies. Kindest regards Alan


Last changed: 10/15/09