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From: Bob Quesal
Date: 10/22/01
Time: 9:12:47 AM
Remote Name: 143.43.201.169
Hello Paige:
I think your comments reflect what many professionals would say. If we use anecdotal evidence (which is probably the worst kind) I think it is safe to say that there have been many people who have received poor therapy for stuttering (I was one of them). This has been true for years - it is not a recent phenomenon. Conversely, many people have been helped by SLPs who provided good therapy (I am also one of those). Time will tell the extent to which treatment will be compromised (if at all). Most changes in educational programs occurred during the past 5 years or so and the new standards (which, in my opinion, have the potential to cause the most change) don't take effect for a little over 3 years.
As far as current techniques becoming "out dated" is concerned, we once again have to look into the future which is very hard to do. Stuttering therapy is constantly evolving, but there are some basic tenets that we apply that have held up for a number of years. The biggest challenge in stuttering therapy, in my opinion, is matching the treatment to the client's needs - that's where the clinician's knowledge and skills are tested.
It is also possible that there will be less need for therapists to be involved, but that, once again, involves trying to predict the future. I feel that if the current trends continue, there will be fewer therapists involved in stuttering therapy. Not because treatments will have improved, but because our profession chose to no longer be involved.
You say you see no reason to be concerned, and I respect that. However, the events of the past decade suggest that stuttering is being left to die on the vine as a matter of convenience as much as anything else. I can't force anyone to feel that stuttering courses and practicum are important. But as someone who has experienced both good and bad stuttering therapy, I know that the former is possible and the latter is inexcusable. If we eliminate stuttering from our curriculum, where do the good therapists come from?
Thanks for your post. I hope we can look back in a few years and see if my concerns were valid or not.
Bob Quesal