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From: Ellen-Marie Silverman
Date: 10/12/03
Time: 7:41:38 PM
Remote Name: 172.156.206.237
Hello, Francesca,
I have not done a very thorough search of the literature on the use of meditation as a therapy adjunct to stuttering therapy for adults. I only know of one "study" carried out and published in the early 1970's in the Journal of Perceptual and Motor Skills. The research was reported by Silverman (not me), Trotter, and McIntyre on the effect of transcendental meditation (TM)on stuttering. The first two were subjects and the third was a speech-language pathology graduate student and teacher of TM. While the paper was not more than a research note, it does suggest, for the two subjects, meditating was helpful in some ways.
I think this could be a fruitful research area. I, myself, plan to undertake writing a paper on the subject in the very near future.
As a graduate student, I am sure you are learning that there is no one method or treatment program that works for everyone presenting the same generic problem. For therapy to be maximally successful, it must be individualized, i.e., take into account the goals and preferences of each patient. It is essential that therapists relate to patients as people first, patients/consumers second, if they want to be maximally helpful. You may wish to take a look at the Guest Editorial I wrote that was published in the late September, 2003, issue of The ASHA Leader, entitled, "Shared Connections --- Spirituality in Clinical Practice." But, vain as I am, please do not look at the accompanying photo of me. Smile.
I hope I have given you some helpful information. All best wishes to you.
Sincerely,
Ellen-Marie Silverman