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From: Eelco de Geus
Date: 10/25/00
Time: 2:18:38 PM
Remote Name: 195.121.123.200
Dear Michelle,
Thank you so much for reaction towards the book. I got many beautiful reactions from all over the world, from clinicians, parents, teachers and especially children themselves. It makes me happy that the book can really be a bridge, like you mention. Now,about your question; No I am not aware of any data on attitudes of children towards their clinicians. So what i can tell you are my experiences and intuitions about this, coming from working with many children. The first important thing is that children have a tendency to not openly discuss and show their feelings. Only in a relationship with a therapist, who they trust fully, chances are that they can express themselves. So there is what children need most: a relationship based on trust and friendship. They need therapists who stand "behind" them, with whom they may stutter, can be just the way they are, and feel respected for their unique beings. Therapist who mind about the child, and only work with the stuttering behaviour as long as it is really supportive. They need humor and joy, also around the stuttering, a therapist who doesn't mind stuttering him or herself, a therapist who understands that sometimes you have to connect in totally other areas than the stuttering itself, to build the trust that is needed to reveal any pain around stuttering. Therapists who notice when the child should be left alone, and when help is really useful and need. Therapist who understand that children do not have problems with the stuttering as a general concept (like many adults have), but a lot of times only need problem- solving for specific situations and specific relationships. So that they can go back playing as soon as possible. Therapist that live the idea that children should play, and only be in therapy for short times and when really necesary.Therapist that stand right by their side when they go out facing and solving difficult situations.Therapist that are prepared to go into the schools with them. It is my experience that supportive therapy like this gives the most chance to be able to practice easier speech with the child, but more important, it keeps the children strong, emancipated, self- assured human beings, which is especially needed when you have a handicap like stuttering. It is also my expereince, that with this attitude children find their way to therapy more easily and more voluntarily, have less resistance, also when they grow up to adults. Stuttering therapy must be a joy, a relief, something you think about with postive feelings.. That is how I would react as a child, answering your questions..
So, no data, just my experience. Maybe I am wrong though, so I am curious what your experiences shall be in the future.
I wish you a lot of important meetings with stuttering children.
Eelco de Geus