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From: Bob Quesal
Date: 10/22/01
Time: 8:55:06 AM
Remote Name: 143.43.201.169
Hi Nita:
Good question. Most evidence shows that no, most SLPs don't feel they are adequately trained to help people who stutter. That is true of folks who were trained when there was a fluency practicum requirement as well as those who have been trained under the "new" standards. That's part of the problem - folks traditionally have felt under-trained in fluency disorders, and the solution seems to be to have less training. I'm not sure how that is going to make things better.
In terms of your comment about the number of professionals interested in enhanced training in fluency: the number 700 is the approximate number of members of ASHA's Special Interest Division 4, Fluency and Fluency Disorders. There are probably more folks than that who are interested in enhanced training, but they are not Division 4 members for one reason or another. But whatever the actual number of folks who would like to see more training, I’m sure it is a relatively small proportion of the 100,000 ASHA members. The reasons probably relate to the relatively low incidence of stuttering, people's perceived lack of competence (or confidence) in dealing with the disorder, and the fact that costs for stuttering therapy tend not to be reimbursed by third-party payers.
As you can see, there are multiple factors operating here, which is why solutions are not easy to come by.
Thanks for your post.
Bob Quesal