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From: Bob Quesal
Date: 10/3/01
Time: 4:38:36 PM
Remote Name: 143.43.201.169
Hi Patti:
I'd say your comments are worth a lot more than 2 cents! ;-)>
You make a good point - Specialty Recognition is not for everyone. I think, too, that Specialty Recognition is just one of a number of "quality indicators" to show that someone is capable of working with clients who stutter. You talk about the difficulty in earning the CEUs necessary to maintain the certificate, and that is one barrier. I will have to deal with the "direct service" issue. We have had a dearth of clients here the past year or so and I have had a hard time getting 100 hours a year of direct client contact. I suppose if I lose my Specialty Recognition, it would mean something, but I am sure I am still a lot more qualified to work with people who stutter than most SLPs, just as you are in spite of not being formally recognized as a specialist.
Since the Specialty Recognition process is so new, and since it was the first one approved by ASHA, it will be interesting to see how it plays out over the next few years. I am sure that there are a few "Laws of Unintended Consequences" lurking out there ready to pounce on Specialty Recognition. It will be interesting to see what happens to other Specialty Recognition programs as they are established, as well.
On balance, I still think that Specialty Recognition has many, many more positives than negatives.
Thanks for your comments.
Bob Q.