Talks to Teens

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Re: Thank You

From: Anita
Date: 22 Oct 2010
Time: 01:40:50 -0500
Remote Name: 217.209.3.225

Comments

Dear Katy. I scares me to hear there are so many SLP students AND graduates who have not had any knowledge on stuttering. And so many who have not even met someone who stutters. It's so easy to simply check out the local self-help group, and ask them to come to the class to talk about stuttering and answer questions, as they are no clients, so you can ask just about anything. You know about treatment. We know what stuttering in daily life is all about including the backpack that come with it. Some "travel light" and some are on their knees... That's why this conference is SO important and I'm SO happy you're here, asking questions! Kudos to you! You are facing a tough job, trying to make your clients embrace their speech, as it's hard to do something that causes so many reactions from others and so much pain to the client. But it should be ok to stutter. Just as ok as wearing glasses or doing/looking different. As that's all. We're not doing something strange, wrong or something that should be hidden, we're simply doing something different. And is being different really bad? Or maybe interesting? (I'v made some comments on that in earlier replies to others people, please read that as well.) But more than that, make them embrace themselves. I may not be proud of my speech, I'm proud of how I live my life despite my speech. That it didn't kill me (I was so close...), that I answer the phone, that I stutter in public. But also about many other things I am and do. Help your clients find those things they are proud of and make them focus on that. Stuttering is not who we are, but something we do. And we do so much more that's worth focusing on instead! Being a good parents, playing an instrument, having many friends, being a hard worker or even being a good cook. A good mix of smoother speech, communication skills and embracing yourself, knowing that everyone has a backpack and that everyone has a whole package full of skills and great habits, is a wonderful combination. And yes, tell them about us, the million of other people who stutter. They have litterally kept me alive when I hit rock bottom and are cheering me now being on top of the world. I wouldn't be here without them. You're not only an SLP, but also a life coach. And I wish they would pay you for that. :-) Happy ISAD!


Last changed: 10/22/10