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From: Shaundrika Stevenson
Date: 17 Oct 2006
Time: 19:56:35 -0500
Remote Name: 72.224.53.222
In my graduate course at The College of St. Rose, my professors Charleen Bloom and Donna Cooperman (1999) believe that because stuttering is a multidimensional disorder it should be analyzed and treated utilizing a synergistic approach. This synergistic model is made up of three major components including speech-language, attitudes and feelings, and the environment that may interact to cause stuttering. I love your article because it reflects this synergistic model when it addresses how those in the environment can positively or negatively impact a person who stutters attitudes and feelings. As a future clinician, it is important to remember at all times that the feelings a person has about his/her stuttering contributes to their self-esteem, locus of control, and level of assertiveness. What are some ways that we can begin having parents incorporate positive language if they have negative views in regards to their child’s stuttering? What are some ways that positive language has personally affected your life as a person who stutters? Recently, I read an article by Yaruss, Coleman, and Hammer (2006) that stress the importance of incorporating family goals when working with children who stutter. One of the strategies that Yaruss and his colleagues suggest is rephrasing. Rephrasing is saying what the child says in an easier more relaxed manner, in order to confirm to the young child that his/her parents heard the message even though there were some disfluencies. I’m curious about your personal opinion in incorporating positive language with this particular strategy. Bloom, C., & Cooperman, D. (1999). Synergistic stuttering therapy: A holistic approach. Woburn, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann. Yaruss, J.S., Coleman, C., & Hammer, D. (2006). Treating preschool children who stutter: Description and preliminary evaluation of a family-focused treatment approach. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 37, 118-136.