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From: Vince Vawter
Date: 10 Oct 2011
Time: 06:48:59 -0500
Remote Name: 67.187.126.12
Thanks, Rita. I've often wondered how the non-stuttering clinician, shall we say, gets on the same page as her client. Keep in mind, I have no speech therapy training, so any advice I might have is simply as a layman, although I continue to maintain, somewhat facetiously, that I'm a stuttering "expert." One reaction I would guard against is to say "I know how you feel," or something similar. I don't think anyone can realize the gut-wrenching pain that comes with a speech impediment. One idea might be to share something personal with a client that would be relatable. Perhaps you are afraid of heights or suffer from claustrophobia. I know there is a school of thought that says a clinician must remain completely aloof from the client and only treat the mechanics of speech and not the psychological damage. I completely disagree with this approach, especially in children and adolescents. At that age, although we might not express it, there is the underlying question we have: "What's wrong with me?" In my view, the good clinician treats a client holistically. If the client wants to talk about feelings and frustrations, I would tell the clinician to do it. It's all about repair and restoration of the self. Perhaps I'm going against all the rules of Speech Pathology U., but I feel strongly about this approach. If there are any true "experts" reading this, we should hear from them on this subject. Thanks for your good question], Rita.