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From: Ken St. Louis
Date: 19 Oct 2011
Time: 07:54:59 -0500
Remote Name: 157.182.15.31
Dear Ora, Good question, and well stated! I don't think ethical clinicians should state or imply that all potential clients can "stop" stuttering entirely in their XXXX program for three reasons. First, if one were to follow up with all the people who had undergone the program long term (assuming it ha been around for some time), it would almost certainly be clear that some/many former clients still stuttered, even if they were "stutter-free" during or right after the treatment. I'm not going to say that being stutter-free is an impossible goal for any future potential program, but we are not even close to being there yet. Second, even if many or most stutterers were to become stutter-free during the treatment and maintain those gains, it sets up the client who will not become entirely fluent to regard himself/herself as a failure. I've known many people who are disillusioned with speech therapy for precisely this reason. Third, a stated or implied "cure" also sets up the potential client to approach the treatment to NOT STUTTER, rather than learn to LEARN TO TALK IN A NEW WAY, regardless of the strategies used. Trying not to stuttering is the mindset that creates accessory (secondary) behaviors whereas trying to talk in a new way is the mindset that most often results in lasting gains. Keep up the good thinking and discerning view of the snake oil salesmen. Ken