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From: Carmen
Date: 17 Oct 2012
Time: 15:49:49 -0500
Remote Name: 62.220.172.177
Dear Richard, I turn to you again. First I'll explain what happened a few weeks ago: my son(3 1/2 years) was made aware of his stuttering by the speech therapist as part of the Palin method. I also participated a bit, first because I allowed this to happen (also my instinct was telling me "wrong, wrong!") and then I tried to comfort him myself only once at home; it was enough to start the disaster. I noticed how in a few days he passed to a severe phase of body struggle (like valsalva stuttering way). I completely lost confidence in SLP's and methods and I started to read myself the latest articles and books about preschool stuttering to make a plan. It feels too late for only indirect therapy (as described by you in our previous dialogue) because now he says "I can't say this word, please can you say it for me, help me please!". I realize I don't know how to help him directly. Now I obviously feel it was a terrible mistake to bring on the subject before he ever complained about it. Even if we said "it's ok if words jump in your mouth" this only had a concerning effect on him. He was not aware at all and he was happy. Now he doesn't want to go to kindergarten anymore because he notices that something is wrong about him. My question to you today, Richard: Were your sons aware (as they were a bit older) of their stuttering? Were they at the point of getting frustrated and ashamed? Do you think awareness is an impediment in pre-school children recovery or, on the contrary, a helping step? The other painful thing (for me) about the Palin methods is that when one starts it, it says "more chances for recovery have children with no stuttering relatives". I keep on reading about yours and other children who became stutter-free although (or especially because!) one of the parents does stutter and I see how it is ruther the opposite: these parents use their own experience and knowledge and help their children in the best way! Carmen