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From: Dick Mallard
Date: 11 Oct 2012
Time: 12:27:14 -0500
Remote Name: 173.174.207.211
Judith, I appreciate your openness. It has always intrigued me but I never asked, even when I went out and worked with Dorv to observe his program, about the apparent necessity of people who go through SSMP to continue to "advertise" their stuttering. I have seen evidence that many clients who go through SSMP have very good control of their speech. In those cases, then why continue to advertise? Listeners can certainly see that some words may be difficult, etc. I don't see people with other visible problems advertising their issues as a major part of their lives. "Advertising," or desensitization in Van Riper's program, is a step to be accomplished early in therapy. I agree that we always have to be aware of the convenience of avoiding and not talking in certain situation, but to continue with overt desensitization suggests to me that one has not really come to grips with the problem; an attitude of "so what, who cares" has not been developed. It it always good to be open and able to discuss stuttering as appropriate. I tell my clients that the goal of therapy is not to allow how you talk interfere with daily decision making. Being able to communicate without having to worry about being fluent or anything else that has to do with steps in therapy is the ultimate goal in my opinion. What I like what Dorv's program is the problem gets addressed directly and clients learn to control their stuttering, not avoid by trying to be fluent. I have referred numerous clients to him. I have always wanted to ask about this. I thank you for helping me understand further this concept.