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From: Kerri Fusco
Date: 10/12/03
Time: 9:11:12 PM
Remote Name: 141.150.125.129
Dear Ms. Packman,
First of all, I want to thank you for exploring what has been, and most likely will be, a highly debated question in the field of speech-language pathology. "To treat or not to treat" is a question most new and experienced SLPs grapple with when dealing with preschoolers who stutter. I found your closing sentence (statement) intriguing (regarding providing therapy for children who may have recovered without it) and was hoping for your input regarding the following:
Why, as SLPs, do we not initially refer to the Multiprocess approach (or some form of indirect approach) when treating preschoolers who stutter? This approach is less demanding on the child and would not appear to hinder his/her speech and language, as well as social, development in any way. I do understand why we may not initially implement a direct approach such as the Lidcombe Program, however, I am unsure as to why we would withold indirect services in the case of a preschooler who stutters.
Thank you again for your wonderful article - it provides me with yet another view on this highly controversial question.
Sincerely - Kerri Fusco