[ Contents | Search | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Carla
Date: 13 Oct 2005
Time: 19:21:28 -0500
Remote Name: 141.154.150.24
Peter and Andreas, and all responders, this has been an intriguing read, the articles and the comments! Like many of you, I have heard of and used voluntary stuttering in the therapy setting. I have stuttered in public with a client. But I have never used as an assignment for a client. An assignment of that nature really separates those who truly want to make the changes from those who want you to make changes. Stuttering therapy is hard work, and there is no getting around it! I so agree with all you have said (all of you) and I love the discussion. I am tempted to cut and paste them all, in sequence, and give them to my client next week for a reading assignment! You really get to the heart of the matter. Andreas, your paper on using voluntary stuttering in every phase of therapy makes sense. Peter, your ability to apply it as prescribed for each individual is remarkable. You both make it seem so easy. Can't wait to try it out. Thank you all for sharing. One more thing. Voluntary stuttering was a requirement in my graduate course 20 years ago. I did it, but in a half hearted way. Several years later, I had a young man come to me for therapy. I was a new therapist, and being the new kid on the block, got all the PWS, as no one wanted to work with that difficult population. So, I must have been reading van Riper, because one of the activities we did was go to a coffee shop, and I role played the PWS. I have to tell you it was an experience I will never forget. The waitress finished my sentence, stared at me like I had three heads, and I felt ashamed. My back was a waterfall of sweat down the curvature of my spine. I am not a PWS, but I felt then what it must feel like, almost. (I could get out of it).I have not rushed back to do it again! I think all therapists who don't stutter should practice voluntary stuttering, in public, with their clients. And I am going to practice what I just said this week. I'll let you know at next ISAD conference next year how I did!