[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Retz
Date: 17 Oct 2011
Time: 20:48:41 -0500
Remote Name: 76.230.229.4
Hello Debbie - Thank you for reading our paper and leaving your comments and questions! Through my eyes...Parent education regarding stuttering should begin as soon as the parents contact me. The earlier, the better. The need for parent education is greatly and sorely neglected in most university training programs. ASHA is not making any real changes to require this; the state of ASHA and requirements for professional preparation at the university level regarding stuttering is really a negative mess. New professional SLP's -- I'm afraid -- sorely lack this skill set because it is not addressed at the training sites; heck, most "seasoned veterans" don't have this skill set as well! The longer a parents education is neglected in being active participants in the therapy process, the risk of things bad increases. Parents must be an active and ongoing part of any effective therapy plan for CWS, no matter the age. To not do so in unethical, I believe. I recently became aware of a book entitled "VOICE UNEARTHED: Hope, Help and a Wake-Up-Call for Parents of Children Who Stutter" by Doreen Lenz Holte; I strongly urge/recommend/assign parents I work with to read it first, then we talk. It is the best resource I have found for parents of CWS. Written by a parent of a CWS for parents of CWS. It really opens the door for education regarding stuttering and therapy. As "therapy" moves forward I assign parents to read "Regression Therapy for Stuttering" by Dr. Jerome Halvorson. Parents I work with stay involved in the therapy process - They must. I believe real stuttering reveals itself over time, and the earlier the whole "team" can focus on the child having fun, interacting, talking and being a kid - instead of "stuttering" - the better chance for a really positive outcome. (I could keep writing, but I hate keyboarding!!!!) Hope I've answered this post; perhaps Kevin will chime in.