Navigating Family Support for CWS
Hi Everyone! My name is Isaiah, and I am a second-year Post-Baccalaureate student studying to be an SLP. I wanted to ask how you would professionally navigate a situation where the family of the CWS is in denial of the child having a stutter and believes they are “misbehaving” or “joking around”?
Hi Isaiah,
I haven’t ever encountered this specific situation, but I can certainly speak to my approach in general when is seems like a family and I may be starting off with very different perspectives.
It’s important for me to stay rooted in the understanding that I am a teammate, and we are working together toward the shared goal of helping the child to continue growing into an effective communicator. It is not my role to convince a family of something, but rather to help guide them toward discovery of what may be supporting or hindering their child’s successful communication (including internal and external factors). Together we can make small adjustments, notice the impact these are having, and adjust accordingly. By leading with curiosity and making space to have this conversation over time, we can bridge our understanding and merge our different expertise (mine about communication, theirs about their child).
It’s also helpful to be mindful of the caregivers’ emotions around a child’s communication. By keeping in mind that this could include fear, uncertainty, worry, etc., we can support the child’s success by supporting their caregivers.
-Carrie
Hi, Isaiah, Thanks for your question, and congratulations on your second year of post-baccalaureate studies!
Parents may have difficulty recognizing or accepting their child’s stuttering for a variety of reasons. A helpful place to begin is education, approached with patience and sensitivity. The Stuttering Foundation, National Stuttering Association, and FRIENDS offer resources for parents and families.
You can also share information about support groups for parents of children who stutter. Connecting with other parents can help them feel less alone, and better understand their child’s experience.
Here is the link to the group.
https://friendswhostutter.org/virtual-parent-groups/