[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Dick Mallard
Date: 12 Oct 2009
Time: 23:37:39 -0500
Remote Name: 70.115.247.118
Lindsay, thanks for your insightful questions. I have not considered personality as a criteria for inclusion or exclusion for therapy. I do not believe that discussing objectively the behavior that the child is doing as causing more of a problem. The problem comes, in my opinion, when people do not discuss the speech pattern openely and honestly. One thing I like to do that has worked wonderfully well is to comment on the first block I see. When the child starts to talk and stutters I normally interrupt and ask, "Do you have difficulty like that often?" or maybe "Is that a typical moment of stuttering?" What happens usually is that the child is shocked that I am so open and it relieved we can talk about it in such a frank manner. You can almost see them relax when that happens. It is as they are saying, "Finally!" Can you think of another problem where professionals do not want to address address the problem openly? Be honest, be objective, and you will be a good clinician! Best wishes.