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Importance of Educating Future SLPAs and SLPs on Fluency Disorders — 3 Comments

  1. Hi Demi,

    My paper in this year’s ISAD conference relates to this very issue, and I highlight some of the research showing the past and current state of academic and clinical education in relation to stuttering. I would encourage you to hop over to the paper entitled, “Acting on the Call for the Better Equipping of Speech-Language Pathologists.”

    You’re absolutely right that we need more training. Stuttering is a complex multifactorial difference, and our intervention approach can be harmful when we don’t understand the stuttering experience. There are several challenges and barriers within clinical education and no simple solutions, but we must advocate for improved training during and post graduate school!

    Ana Paula

    • Hi Ana,

      Thank you for the reply! I’m so glad to hear the work and research you have put into this issue. Thank you for the recommendation, I will go on over and read your paper.

      Thank you so much!
      Demi Dang

  2. Hi Demi,

    Yes, I totally agree that further education on stuttering needs to be added to curriculums about fluency vs stuttering. Some universities only have one course about stuttering and some have none. Some new SLPs begin work with never having met a person who stutters, let alone worked with a person who stutters in any type of therapeutic relationship or alliance.

    At the very least, SLP students should be required to attend local stuttering support group meetings either in person or online. But to learn, not sit in the back and take notes.

    Or listen to podcasts about people who stutter who stutter while sharing their experiences. There’s a great one at http://www.stutterrockstar.com

    Pam