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From: Alan Badmington (to Jackie)
Date: 12 Oct 2010
Time: 10:34:08 -0500
Remote Name: 95.144.70.223
Hi Jackie, I very much appreciate you taking the time to read my paper and provide feedback. I’m heartened that you recognise the value of SLPs gaining an insight from persons who stutter. However, all PWS are unique. Their life experiences, emotional baggage, expectations, aspirations and the nature of stuttering are all likely to differ (sometimes considerably). There will, of course, be common themes. My views changed dramatically when I enlisted the aid of a stuttering management program 10 years ago. The program advocated (inter alia) greater self-acceptance by encouraging clients to speak openly about their stuttering. In company with other PWS (who had already completed the program), we went out onto the streets and chatted with complete strangers. In some instances, we simply used voluntary stuttering to advertise the fact that we were PWS – while in others we followed this up by talking about our ‘darkest secret’. We were also encouraged to speak more openly about our difficulties with friends, work colleagues and members of our own family when we returned home from the residential training. The group camaraderie (and joint activities) encouraged us to imitate/inspire each other by challenging our fears (both individually and collectively). (I should point out that the initial three days were spent learning and practising new tools/techniques, in a safe environment, so that I had acquired the means (and confidence) to challenge myself in a wide range of speaking situations. When I subsequently returned home, I continued to discuss my stuttering at every opportunity. I engaged in conversation with complete strangers - in restaurants; in the street; in stores; at airports; on trains – indeed, anywhere.:-) The reactions that I encountered were quite unbelievable – everyone was courteous and many knew someone who stuttered. I became totally desensitised and my perceptions and beliefs about what others thought in relation to my speech became so positive. What can you do to assist? Maybe you might wish to consider accompanying a client (or clients) into public places for the purpose of approaching and speaking to strangers. I feel that your presence would be invaluable, particularly in the initial stages. As a challenge, you might choose to use voluntary stuttering. This would demonstrate support for your client(s), as well as allowing you to ‘sample’ the reaction of the passer-by to your disfluent speech. On those occasions when I used voluntary stuttering, I felt it was important to display dignity by maintaining good eye contact with my listener. Of course, your client would need to be a willing party to any such activities. By the way, I've just remembered that I also did something similar by using the telephone. I selected toll-free numbers from the Yellow Pages directory and called them - making fictious enquiries about a wide range of products. I also called hotels to enquire about the availability and cost of accommodation. On many occasions, I used voluntary stuttering. Jackie, I wish you every success with you studies and your future career. Thank you, once again, for your interest. Kindest regards Alan