[ Contents | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Walt
Date: 10/16/03
Time: 9:39:27 AM
Remote Name: 141.225.97.53
Katie- I suppose it can be somewhat helpful for PWS to make use of some humor with people who don't necessarily understand the stuttering experience. It could be a way to show them something about the experience. I don't think that self deprecating humor is necessarily a good idea. Depending on the context I suppose a PWS could make use of humor to show that they are OK with the fact that they stutter and therby give others to be OK also. There are some studies showing that to the extent that people with disabilies are able to disclose their situation - especially in a humorous manner - others respond to them in a significantly more positively manner. It's all in the style and timing and not being afraid to make a mistake. I would suggest that a client experiement by responding with some humor to others and see what happens. Not with a joke but a response that shows that gives permission to talk about it or ask questions. Again it's style...I never much liked the "humor" that Mel Tillis used to discuss his stuttering but that was his way of doing it. In my case I might be more likely to follow a moment of my stuttering with something like "Well, of course, that's easy for me to say." but I wouldn't be as likely to tell jokes about stuttering. But, as you suggest, people who understand stuttering are much more likely to "get it".