Question for PWS
Hi, my name is Martine Moore and I am a 2nd year speech language pathologist student. I just finished reading a post entitled, “Stuttering Systems Are Unique, Inner Wisdom Is Universal” by – Jorie Rosenthal Foer. In her post, Ms Foer mentioned that any emotion that a PWS has experienced related to stuttering can lead to growth. This has inspired me, as a future speech language pathologist, to not ignore these emotions and find ways to use them to support patients’ growth. We have to find the root cause of those emotions and beliefs. I love the comment that she made that “Our Inner Wisdom is derived from our experiences in life” and that “Stuttering can be a personal compass, pointing PWS to their “True North” (Foer, 2022). My question is, how can SLP’s provide emotional support to a PWS? What have you found to be most beneficial in this area?
Thank you
Hi Martine,
Thank you for your message.
Ms. Foer brings up some great points.
I’ve said something similar in other posts but SLPs can provide emotional support to PWSs simply by talking to them and asking them what’s going on outside of therapy (i.e. what kind of support they get from family or friends, what they enjoy doing, what stresses they get from daily life). Much like mental health therapy, these are good springboards for more in-depth conversations, which can lead to more confidence and comfort from the PWS. I’ve experienced this with multiple SLPs. Granted, I like talking about myself in a therapy setting — not everyone will feel that way. Don’t let that deter you, though. Keep asking but don’t pressure them to open up.
I hope this helps.
Great question, Martine.
What I want the most from my SLP is to listen, To ask me questions and really try to get to know me, what my goals are, my background and my luggage. Help me to find my true self, and my self-worth. Show me what I’m good at, and that stuttering is not bad and fluency good, but that stuttering just IS. And that it’s not up to me to make my listener happy, but maybe instead up to the listener to simply… listen. Help me to see there’s more in life then fluency. And that I’m good enough either way. But to also help me to find tools that fit me and my stutter, ways to explain to others what stuttering is, ways to meet bullies and other people not getting it. Ways to speak to my teachers. And show me the way to stutter camps, where I can be me, speak freely, without any therapy, and where my parents can come and speak with adult PWS. As the more we understand, the more we feel good enough, the more we loose the shame. So be a friend. 🙂
keep them talking
Anita
My question is, how can SLP’s provide emotional support to a PWS? What have you found to be most beneficial in this area?