[ Contents ]
From: Jennifer Watson
Date: 10/12/03
Time: 8:12:25 PM
Remote Name: 66.169.102.63
Hi, Sheree- Thank you for raising important questions about student preparation in the areas of counseling and self esteem. Since I believe the treatment of stuttering (and all communication disorders for that matter) includes important counseling components, I struggle daily with helping student gain competence and confidence in this area. I welcome others’ input about this issue. Some ideas that you may already implement include: · Encourage all students to take a counseling course –either in or outside the department. I am hopeful that the new ASHA standards will allow for greater flexibility in demonstrating knowledge and skills and might allow for more creative curricular offerings beyond COSD coursework. · To reduce the vagueness and ambiguity students often feel about more covert issues, present descriptions of these constructs in clinical labs and courses. Include models and operational definitions attitudes (including feelings and beliefs), self-esteem, etc. · Provide concrete examples of how to identify and address these constructs in therapy. These ideas initially may need to be presented in a concrete list form as students learn and practice behaviors and reactions. · Make certain that these non-speech issues are included as targets on lesson plans, helping students learn how to identify the target they wish to address and how to provide overt indicators of changes in these areas. · Model proposed responses and activities for the students. I do this by being a member of each treatment team, participating in the treatment sessions, leading groups, etc. · Encourage students to self-discover - be patient, as this takes time and presents challenges as we balance the needs of both our clients and our students. Thanks again, Sheree for raising this topic! Jennifer