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From: Retz
Date: 08 Oct 2011
Time: 12:04:42 -0500
Remote Name: 76.230.229.4
Sarah - Thank you for reading our article and sharing your comments. Your questions and observations are excellent. It is my belief that parents are an integral part of successful therapy for ALL ages of children; to not require their active participation in the therapy process is unethical and almost certainly insures failure of any therapy. Education of the parents of a TWS and their (parents) role in attaining the goals to the maximum level of reduction of communication apprehension related to the fear of stuttering, the fear of talking, and reluctance of interaction with others for their TWS is a major focus of our 3-Day Intensive with Teletherapy follow-up sessions. In regard to voluntary stuttering, both TWS and parents need the "push" you speak of. And in all honesty, most professionals working with TWS and their parents need the "push" as well. Talking about it in the confines of a therapy room is easy; real life is another thing altogether. (Be brave in learning to voluntary stutter in the real world; it will definitely increase your value as a clinician with TWS and their parents!) Desensitization regarding stuttering, talking and interacting with others are aspects that are specifically "hard nosed" addressed in our approach. Voluntary stuttering (stuttering on purpose) is something both the TWS and parents need to master and address. Both Kevin and I are fearless in regards to voluntary stuttering in any situation; during the intensive portion of our therapy with the TWS and their parents, we demonstrate this for them in public situations,and then help them learn how to do voluntary stuttering, and finally, assign them "public homework". I have found that not only does the TWS gain "fearlessness" to stuttering by doing this, but parents also gain a unique and valuable insight as to what their TWS experiences in regards to stuttering and all its emotional feelings. Both Kevin and I are confident that this can be accomplished in the 3-day intensive portion of the therapy. We are committed to achieving the necessary support needed via teletherapy follow-up with both the TWS and their parents. The teens who stutter and parents that I see in my private practice - and have met in the self help organizations - have by in large "given-up" on the technique emphasized therapy; fear of stuttering, fear of talking and limited "nads" in persuing interaction with others is what many of them desire. The goal of our therapy approach is not to stop or control stuttering; it is to develop the skills necessary to say what you want to say, to not be afraid to talk, to not let the fear of stuttering or the fear of talking "get" the TWS OR their parents...to be fearless in the freedom to speak and interact with others --- even if you stutter. Hope I answered your question, and perhaps Kevin will chime in with his thoughts as well. Best regards in your studies!