Stories of People Who Stutter

[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]


Re: Stories of People Who Stutter

From: David Shapiro
Date: 10 Oct 2011
Time: 11:01:33 -0500
Remote Name: 152.30.155.29

Comments

Hi Sarah, I’m glad you could relate to the clients’ stories. It is interesting that you see the parallel between the stories I shared and those you invited from 200+ people who stutter. What a great experience you had as an undergraduate! I think we agree that we must attend to the feelings, behaviors, and thoughts (ABCs; affective, behavior, and cognitive) in treatment. As you said, too often A and C are overlooked. It makes sense that our attitude expresses itself in what we think and do. In fact, we could say that all three domains (ABCs) impact each other. I have found that there are several things we can do in order to facilitate the client’s/family’s attitude to be more likely to achieve success. For example, the clinician can construct opportunities for (and eventually with, and later by) the client so that the client experiences success directly. Why should the client believe our words? Too many clients have become frustrated if not disillusioned from previous treatment. I have found that nothing is more motivating or facilitative of a positive attitude than when the client and family experience success for themselves. This experience of success breaks the frequent pattern of anticipated failure and enables the client to want to do more of what he feels he can do and is doing well. It also enables the client to begin to anticipate an alternative to communication failure. I might add that you’ve got good insights into the treatment process. Keep up the good work in graduate school. You are entering one of the most exciting professions imaginable. This is my 35th year of being an SLP and I love it to this day. Give a yell anytime and good luck. David Shapiro


Last changed: 10/10/11