Key Advice for a New SLP
Hello! I am currently about to graduate with my masters in speech pathology and was curious as to what key pieces of advice you had for a starting slp treating individuals who stutter. What are some specific techniques or strategies (personally created activities or highly researched practices) that you feel have made the biggest impact on treating those who stutter? How have you been able to develop a strong connection with clients who stutter to encourage them to open up with you and speak honestly about the impact stuttering has on their lives and their personal goals? What are some topics you discuss during evaluations with parents who are struggling or even in denial of their child’s stutter? What methods seem to be most effective reaching teens in therapy who have accepted their stutter and not motivated to use strategies but parents consistently request continuation of services?
Overall, what do you feel is MOST important for a new clinician to know in order to create the best atmosphere for clients who stutter that you have learned and developed over your career?
Thank you so much!! You are all so greatly appreciated!!
Dear Abbiems,
HI! It is great to hear from you and congratulations on being graduate school! that is exciting!
You ask some great questions. I will try to answer a few here and let my wonderful colleagues answer them too, as there are COUNTLESS options to help PWS of all ages. Let me first say, I don’t give “advice” to anyone. I simply provide optional ideas. Advice implies “one way” or “something to do fix something.” Helping people involves optional ideas, activities, and behaviors.
YOU ASKED: How have you been able to develop a strong connection with clients who stutter to encourage them to open up with you and speak honestly about the impact stuttering has on their lives and their personal goals?
ONE THOUGHTS: The first thing I have learned about, and continue to practice, is active/mindful listening. This is a skill with many facets. We don’t just sit there and nod our heads, we have to show people we care about them and are willing to be present with them (mindful) along with engage with the listening process. This is at the core of our counseling skill set. You mentioned “speak honestly.” I believe that in order to be successful with anyone, honesty is one important value. For example, if someone says, “Stuttering skinks!” Instead of saying, “It will be okay,” we can say “It sounds like you are struggling. I’m sorry for that. Tell me more about how and what about stuttering stinks.” We can validate while we still use honesty language.
YOU ASKED: What methods seem to be most effective reaching teens in therapy who have accepted their stutter and not motivated to use strategies but parents consistently request continuation of services?
ONE THOUGHTS: This is such a great question. Adolescent PWS are amazing. Your question brings in the classic client/ parent challenge. Where the client has one perspective of “need” and the parent has another perspective. Therapy is not about techniques, it is about listening to what the client wants and what they need. I have had several clients come in and out of treatment because they say “I’m okay right now.” and leave, and then a year or more ask to come back. I leave the decision of therapy up to the client. It is THEIR speech and their time. This is a challenging conversation to have with family. However, if someone is not motivated to work, what work with they do?
These are just a few thoughts. Keep asking questions and keep learning. BE with a client. BE with the family. That is one of the best thoughts I received as a young SLP.
With compassion and kindness,
Scott
Hi Abbiems!
Good questions!
QUESTION: What key pieces of advice you had for a starting slp treating individuals who stutter. What are some specific techniques or strategies (personally created activities or highly researched practices) that you feel have made the biggest impact on treating those who stutter?”
RESPONSE: I would say to remain open and curious and informed. The profession is always changing so keep educating yourself. Keep attending continuing education events on stuttering. It is VERY important to stay connected to the stuttering community, so places like NSA, NSA self-help groups, and FRIENDS are good places to do that. Always keep a listening attitude. People who stutter are individuals and individuals can want different things out of therapy. I think the biggest strategy is listening to what your client’s stories about stuttering, and what they hope to gain from therapy. There is not one approach that works for everyone.
QUESTION: How have you been able to develop a strong connection with clients who stutter to encourage them to open up with you and speak honestly about the impact stuttering has on their lives and their personal goals?
RESPONSE: Because I stutter, this is somewhat easy for me to do. I open up about my own experience. But you don’t have to stutter to do that. Strong connections begin with strong listening skills. I start every evaluation with “Tell me what brings you here today.” I keep an open posture and a listening attitude – no tape recorder or clipboard. When people know and sense that you care, they will open up.
QUESTION: What are some topics you discuss during evaluations with parents who are struggling or even in denial of their child’s stutter?
RESPONSE: This may be rooted in fear and perhaps ignorance. We talk about what stuttering is, myths about stuttering, that stuttering is not their fault, and that people who stutter can and do live successful lives.
QUESTION: What methods seem to be most effective reaching teens in therapy who have accepted their stutter and not motivated to use strategies but parents consistently request continuation of services?
RESPONSE: I echo Scott’s response!
QUESTION: Overall, what do you feel is MOST important for a new clinician to know in order to create the best atmosphere for clients who stutter that you have learned and developed over your career?
RESPONSE: Let the person know that you care about their well-being. Listening and empathy go a long way!