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From: Ed Feuer
Date: 21 Oct 2011
Time: 10:55:56 -0500
Remote Name: 207.161.157.111
Professors, as a PWS (some of the time), my view is that it is important to examine the dynamics of how the lack of interpersonal skills arose and to consider that in dealing with the problem. Knowing that there are many listeners who aggressively interrupt and fill in when they hear stuttering, our real-world experience has been that we have to get to the point fast before our reluctant interlocutors tune out, turn off and walk away (sometimes not only figuratively). Such people don't want to us to make small talk with them, they don't want to have conversation with us — and the negative public image and widespread ignorance about stuttering has more than a little to do with that. Even though these types may be in the minority, we tend to remember the worst possible scenarios. As someone wise said, he who has been bitten by a snake is afraid of a piece of rope. However, interpersonal communication skills should be taught at auspicious points in stuttering therapy and there are good ways to do that. (See the thread, Why don't SLPs teach improving comm. skills?) What do you think? — Ed edfeuer@mts.net