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From: Alan Badmington (to Regina)
Date: 23 Oct 2006
Time: 14:21:53 -0500
Remote Name: 84.66.221.242
Hi Regina, Thank you for reading my article and contributing to the subsequent discussion. When I discarded my Edinburgh Masker, it was due to the fact that I decided to embark upon another approach. I explained this in great detail in my earlier responses to Maria Palmieri, Walt Manning and Judy Butler. Rather than re-type the lengthy explanations that I gave, may I respectfully ask you to read my respective replies to those persons. Simply, click on ‘Contents’ above, and then click (separately) on the line immediately following each of their names. You mention that one of your clients is seeking to use an assistive device. I can full appreciate why she is keen to go down that road - the media has such a knack of presenting them as the ultimate solution. As I opined in my paper, I feel that they are best used in conjunction with speech therapy or some kind of management. The wearers need to be encouraged to venture into more demanding speaking situations, so that they challenge their self-limiting beliefs and fears. Restricting use to a safe environment will, in my view, provide only limited gains. This is where a SLP can provide guidance, support and encouragement. When replying to a previous post (you may be interested in reading my comments to Judy Butler above), I referred to the benefits that I had gained from taking part in group therapy, where I was able to experience the encouragement, support, camaraderie etc of fellow PWS. Witnessing (and conversing with) other PWS who had previously successfully trodden a similar path, had a huge impact upon my understanding, and the gains that I made. I, certainly, feel that it is easier to motivate oneself when in the company of others who are also challenging themselves in a like manner. If your client insists on acquiring an assistive device, then I feel that it would be advantageous for her to be given an understanding of the implications of avoidance strategies. My poem, ‘Changing the Words Around’ may be of assistance with regard to word substitution: http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad7/papers/badmington7/badmington17.html In addition, I feel that it might be helpful for her to gain an understanding of the principles of expanding our comfort zones. You may wish to read an article that I wrote about that subject for the 2003 ISAD Online Conference: ‘STEP OUTSIDE: Why expanding comfort zones can improve our stuttering and lead to more fulfilling lives': http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad6/papers/badmington6.html Kindest regards Alan