Helping future SLP’s
Hello, my name is Marissa, and I am a student trying to pursue a career in speech. My question is: What do you wish others understood about your experience with stuttering, and how can future speech therapists help clients based on your experience?
Hi Marissa and thank you for your important question.
I wish we could talk about stuttering and get the elephant out of the room. Use the word stuttering, instead of stumbling, bumpy speech, etc. As I believe that not using the word will keep it loaded with shame, something that shouldn’t be named (in Harry Potter language 😉 ) Stuttering is not our fault and thus not something shameful. We’re just like anyone else. We just stutter.
I also wish people would just notice my stutter, not give me “good advice” until you’ve walked in my shoes, and simply move on. And if they have questions, f ex if they should fill in my words or not, to just ask me, instead of presuming. I just stutter. So it would be great if you would just listen.
I also would like SLP’s to start with listening. Who am I. What are my goals. (And if they aren’t attainable, tell me.). What is in my backpack (background, family, culture, religion, experiences in school, at work, in my family, mental and physical health). And with that information show me a smörgåsbord with “dishes”. Allow me to tell you which I don’t like (I don’t like olives, tried many times, still not like them, so don’t force me to try it anyway, or try to make me eat something you wouldn’t eat yourself)), but also challenge me to at least try something you’d think would be something for me. Let me try what I want to try, including a combination of things. I might like to try to relax my throat muscles + singing + swimming. Or get out of a block + mindfulness + self-worth. Or simply learn more about stuttering to educate others. And to bring others to the therapy room. Family members, friends, as sometimes they need therapy, not me. 😉
So also for SLPs to step out of their books and comfort zones and be creative.
Keep them talking and happy ISAD
Anita
Hi Marissa! Thank you for your question!
One thing I wish people understood is that the way I communicate doesn’t always reflect what I’m thinking, feeling, or capable of.
Sometimes I might give a shorter answer, avoid telling a story, or choose not to say something funny simply because I know how difficult it might be to get those words out. And the person listening might interpret that as me being shy, uninterested, unprepared, or having nothing to contribute. When in reality, there’s so much more going on!
I also wish people understood that we don’t always need encouragement, advice, or someone telling us how brave we are for speaking. Sometimes we just want to have an ordinary conversation without our speech becoming the center of attention.
For future SLPs, I think it’s important to remember that your clients have lives outside the therapy room. They’re students, friends, professionals, partners, and people with ambitions, personalities, and opinions.
Get curious about who they are, not just how they speak. And don’t assume that every person who stutters wants the same things from therapy.
Most importantly, help your clients become active participants in deciding what progress looks like for them.
Because we don’t all need to become better speakers. Sometimes we simply need the world to become better listeners 🤍