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From: Bobby Childers
Date: 10/19/01
Time: 8:29:43 AM
Remote Name: 216.234.195.23
Even though you may find some of the techniques used (marbles) to be rather odd today, back 20-30 years ago, it was common practice (or so I've been told).
Just as past physicians used leaches for medical treatment (and that is coming back), speech therapists used the techniques and theories that existed at the time. They felt that it was the best course of action to help the client, so that is what was done.
While some of the treatments I recieved many years ago were not helpful, I can't place the entire blame on the Therapists and Doctors that were attempting to help me. I sincerely believe that they were doing the best they knew how, using the techniques and ideas of the time.
As society has grown somewhat more accepting of other disabilities, it has rubbed off on stuttering at least to a small degree. Stuttering is not visible to the naked eye, until the person starts to talk, and then of course the "cat is let out of the bag".
I suspect that in 30-40 years from now, some of the current techniques used will be considered to be "medival" in the eyes of the SLP's and student SLP's.
But one thing that I have discovered, is that for speech therapy to be helpful, the client has to want the therapy to work, and has to be willing to try the techniques the SLP puts forth.