My dilemma as an SLT
How best to support speech and language therapists who are working with children and adults who stutter so that they work as allies in the context of evidence which shows that stuttering therapy has an overall positive effect. No one treatment approach for stuttering demonstrates significantly greater effects over another treatment approach. Herder, Howard, Nye, & Vanryckeghem (2006).
- Need to validate professional identities that support.
- Learning from people who stutter.
- Therapy which focuses on positive outcomes in terms of children and adults living the lives they want to live and the development of therapy that focuses on education and resistance to normalising discourses.
- Resists focus on fluency and cure in therapy.
- Focus on confidence, fun and delight in finding and validating identities which fit with our dreams, hopes and ambitions.
More information
- Herder, Howard, Nye, & Vanryckeghem (2006). Effectiveness of Behavioral Stuttering Treatment: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis. Contemporary Issues in Communication Science and Disorders.
Related files
- American Speech And Hearing Association (ASHA) (2007:1) Scope Of Practice In Speech –Language Pathology Document .
- Bruner, J. (1986). Actual Minds, Possible Worlds. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
- O’Dwyer, M. and Leahy, M.M. (2016). There is no cure for this: An exploration of the professional identities of speech and language therapists’, Journal of Interactional Research in Communication Disorders, 2, 149-167.
- Riessman, C. (2008). Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences. London: Sage.
- Simmons-Mackie, N. and Damico, J. (2011). Exploring clinical interaction in speech-language therapy: Narrative, discourse and relationships. In R. Fourie(Ed.) Therapeutic Processes for Communication Disorders: A Guide for Clinicians and Students, 35–52. London: Psychology Press.
- White, M. (2007). Maps of narrative practice. Norton.
The speech-language pathologist is the professional who engages in clinical services, prevention, advocacy, education, administration, and research in the areas of communication and swallowing across the life span from infancy through geriatrics.
— The American Speech And Hearing Association (ASHA) (2007:1)
<hr>
Identity
- Etymological root refers to sameness but often seen as what makes me unique – who I am.
- Medical model/social model.
- Narrative Practice – viewed as “public and social achievement”.
- Co-constructed in “the trafficking of stories about our own and each other’s lives” White (2007, 182).
<hr>
The process of professional identity
- Individual process but co-constructed.
- Multiple identities.
- Fluid, dynamic.
- Therapeutic exchanges.
- Stories told and interpreted.
- Cultural Influences.
<hr>
How are identities constructed?
O’Dwyer and Leahy (2015)
- Postmodernist thinking – multiple identities are available to an individual at any given time.
- Narratives play a large role in how we construct and re-construct these identities for ourselves and for others.
- Narratives are how we make sense of our experiences and this meaning-making in turn leads to a sense of identity. Bruner (1986: 143) explained that ‘narrative structures organise and give meaning to experience’. Riessman(2008: 8) states that ‘individuals and groups construct identities through storytelling’ and that these identities are fluid.
<hr>
SLTs – multiple identities*
- An individual speech and language therapist has multiple identities available to them at any time.
- More aware of some than others and how conscious/aware they are of any identity at a given time varies.
- Intrapersonal and interpersonal factors influence how these identities are negotiated and renegotiated.
- These identities are negotiated in their interaction with the people they see for therapy and their families/carers.
- “Through clinical interaction clients and clinicians negotiate who they are and the roles they play in the therapy story.” Simmons-Mackie and Damico (2011:44)
- If a particular identity gets validated through these interactions, it takes hold and is performed regularly, If not validated, gets renegotiated.
*O’Dwyer, M. and Leahy, M.M. (2016). There is no cure for this: An exploration of the professional identities of speech and language therapists’, Journal of Interactional Research in Communication Disorders, 2, 149-167.
<hr>
Who are speech and language therapists working with children and adults who stutter and their families? Possible identities:
The speech-language pathologist is the professional who engages in clinical services, prevention, advocacy, education, administration, and research in the areas of communication and swallowing across the life span from infancy through geriatrics.
— The American Speech And Hearing Association (ASHA) (2007:1)
<hr>
Identity
- Etymological root refers to sameness but often seen as what makes me unique – who I am.
- Medical model/social model.
- Narrative Practice – viewed as “public and social achievement”.
- Co-constructed in “the trafficking of stories about our own and each other’s lives” White (2007, 182).
<hr>
The process of professional identity
- Individual process but co-constructed.
- Multiple identities.
- Fluid, dynamic.
- Therapeutic exchanges.
- Stories told and interpreted.
- Cultural Influences.
<hr>
How are identities constructed?
O’Dwyer and Leahy (2015)
- Postmodernist thinking – multiple identities are available to an individual at any given time.
- Narratives play a large role in how we construct and re-construct these identities for ourselves and for others.
- Narratives are how we make sense of our experiences and this meaning-making in turn leads to a sense of identity. Bruner (1986: 143) explained that ‘narrative structures organise and give meaning to experience’. Riessman(2008: 8) states that ‘individuals and groups construct identities through storytelling’ and that these identities are fluid.
<hr>
SLTs – multiple identities*
- An individual speech and language therapist has multiple identities available to them at any time.
- More aware of some than others and how conscious/aware they are of any identity at a given time varies.
- Intrapersonal and interpersonal factors influence how these identities are negotiated and renegotiated.
- These identities are negotiated in their interaction with the people they see for therapy and their families/carers.
- “Through clinical interaction clients and clinicians negotiate who they are and the roles they play in the therapy story.” Simmons-Mackie and Damico (2011:44)
- If a particular identity gets validated through these interactions, it takes hold and is performed regularly, If not validated, gets renegotiated.
*O’Dwyer, M. and Leahy, M.M. (2016). There is no cure for this: An exploration of the professional identities of speech and language therapists’, Journal of Interactional Research in Communication Disorders, 2, 149-167.
<hr>
Who are speech and language therapists working with children and adults who stutter and their families? Possible identities:
- A hypothetical scenario involving a child, Conor and his parents who go to see SLT, Róisín.
- While hypothetical, it is based on a range of real-life experiences of the author.
- It highlights the parents’ desire that part of SLT professional identity be “able to cure”.
- SLT resistance of that identity and choice to be an ally to Conor.
- The process of considering available evidence and seeking support from those with more experience in order to negotiate an identity regarding the type of alliance she will offer.
- Resistance of normalising discourse regarding fluency.
<hr>
Brian and Sandra – parents of Conor aged 3.4
- Conor – advanced language development, no concerns re speech errors.
- One day, out of the blue, Conor begins to repeat words and part-words.
- Sandra is surprised, then worried and… she reacts.
- Brian remembers his mother saying that one of his brothers had difficulty with speech but grew out of it.
- Conor continues to repeat, begins to prolong sounds and sometimes no sound comes out when he tries to say a word.
- Sandra and Brian decide it's time to go to a speech and language therapist and they meet Róisín.
- Their story about Conor – about their role - about Róisín and her role – their expectations.
<hr>
Róisín
- Róisín is 25 – has been working in same job since 21 – first class honours – manager affirms her excellence - more complex cases – wider range.
- Anne, specialist in stuttering/fluency disorders is on maternity leave so case is assigned to Róisín.
- Róisín consults the evidence – Fluency shaping approach with lots of evidence.
- Has notes from in-service Anne gave – decides to go with indirect approach and start with education – but assessment first including taking case history.
- And the plot thickens – Sandra ..(and Brian) want stuttering gone asap - yes parent sessions are fine – but when is she going to see Conor and fix his speech?
<hr>
Conor
- Conor loves fun – he likes lots of things, running, painting, lego, and he has lots to say.
- He has noticed that some words seem to have a mind of their own recently and it’s like they get stuck.
- Mom and Dad have said nothing - he has noticed they go very quiet and just look at him.
- One day last week, Granny Annie was minding him in the car and he was talking to her when a word was getting him stuck.
- She told him to “slow down, take a deep breath and start again”.
- He could not see her face, but she sounded a bit something different.
- Note to self – try to not let words get stuck!
<hr>
Assessment day for Conor
- Went lovely place with loads of toys and met Róisín who played with me and talked to Mom and Dad.
- She made a video of me.
- Mom does that sometimes too.
- I wonder why?
- Róisín seems to get stuck on some words too – not sure why I am here but Róisín has the best Lego and I am making an amazing bridge.
<hr>
Roisin's dilemma
- Wants to help – who? Conor? But parents want fluency.
- Her CPD, while limited, has her thinking that focusing on fluency might not be best choice.
- She takes her dilemma to supervision.
- She Googles and finds StutterTalk.
- She contacts the SIG/CEN.
- She decides that she needs to talk with parents about some of the difficulties she sees with focusing on fluency.
- A hypothetical scenario involving a child, Conor and his parents who go to see SLT, Róisín.
- While hypothetical, it is based on a range of real-life experiences of the author.
- It highlights the parents’ desire that part of SLT professional identity be “able to cure”.
- SLT resistance of that identity and choice to be an ally to Conor.
- The process of considering available evidence and seeking support from those with more experience in order to negotiate an identity regarding the type of alliance she will offer.
- Resistance of normalising discourse regarding fluency.
<hr>
Brian and Sandra – parents of Conor aged 3.4
- Conor – advanced language development, no concerns re speech errors.
- One day, out of the blue, Conor begins to repeat words and part-words.
- Sandra is surprised, then worried and… she reacts.
- Brian remembers his mother saying that one of his brothers had difficulty with speech but grew out of it.
- Conor continues to repeat, begins to prolong sounds and sometimes no sound comes out when he tries to say a word.
- Sandra and Brian decide it's time to go to a speech and language therapist and they meet Róisín.
- Their story about Conor – about their role - about Róisín and her role – their expectations.
<hr>
Róisín
- Róisín is 25 – has been working in same job since 21 – first class honours – manager affirms her excellence - more complex cases – wider range.
- Anne, specialist in stuttering/fluency disorders is on maternity leave so case is assigned to Róisín.
- Róisín consults the evidence – Fluency shaping approach with lots of evidence.
- Has notes from in-service Anne gave – decides to go with indirect approach and start with education – but assessment first including taking case history.
- And the plot thickens – Sandra ..(and Brian) want stuttering gone asap - yes parent sessions are fine – but when is she going to see Conor and fix his speech?
<hr>
Conor
- Conor loves fun – he likes lots of things, running, painting, lego, and he has lots to say.
- He has noticed that some words seem to have a mind of their own recently and it’s like they get stuck.
- Mom and Dad have said nothing - he has noticed they go very quiet and just look at him.
- One day last week, Granny Annie was minding him in the car and he was talking to her when a word was getting him stuck.
- She told him to “slow down, take a deep breath and start again”.
- He could not see her face, but she sounded a bit something different.
- Note to self – try to not let words get stuck!
<hr>
Assessment day for Conor
- Went lovely place with loads of toys and met Róisín who played with me and talked to Mom and Dad.
- She made a video of me.
- Mom does that sometimes too.
- I wonder why?
- Róisín seems to get stuck on some words too – not sure why I am here but Róisín has the best Lego and I am making an amazing bridge.
<hr>
Roisin's dilemma
- Wants to help – who? Conor? But parents want fluency.
- Her CPD, while limited, has her thinking that focusing on fluency might not be best choice.
- She takes her dilemma to supervision.
- She Googles and finds StutterTalk.
- She contacts the SIG/CEN.
- She decides that she needs to talk with parents about some of the difficulties she sees with focusing on fluency.
- NYC Stutters. (2020) Stuttering: how to 'overcome' the narrative.
- Yaruss JS, Quesal RW. Stuttering and the international classification of functioning, disability, and health: An update. J Commun Disord. 2004;37:35–52. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9924(03)00052-2.
We want to affirm, especially for the young people out there, that it is okay to stutter. We believe that not only is it okay to stutter, but people who stutter should be empowered to speak however is most comfortable for them – even if that speaking style contains pauses, repetitions, and blocks.
— NYC Stutters (2020)
<hr>
- Educators to integrate the diversity agenda into speech and language therapy training to enable future therapists to consider the philosophical underpinnings of their role and approach.
- Forums for therapists to examine their underlying values, role and scope of practice.
- Meaningful collaboration to rethink the scope, focus and role of future stammering therapy for CYP & adults.
- Open, public debate about social and ethical implications of research in the fields of neuroscience and genetics.
- Research into what matters for people who stammer.
- Balanced investment of funding.
- Accessible research findings & conferences.
<hr>
Still it appears to us that the answer will be forthcoming if we as a field are serious about engaging in a partnership between researchers and the population of people who stutter, for people who stutter can provide the most meaningful metric for determining whether a treatment is viable.
— Yaruss & Quesal (2004)
<hr>
It is critical for professionals to realise that people with lived experience are best situated to drive the effort for changing how our society thinks about stuttering. Professionals bring resources and credibility to the table which can be very important for public attitude change, and they can play a supportive role to improve social conditions. However, people who stammer themselves are best positioned to promote the agenda of their community in terms of actions and policies that effect their lives.
— Boyle (2019)
We want to affirm, especially for the young people out there, that it is okay to stutter. We believe that not only is it okay to stutter, but people who stutter should be empowered to speak however is most comfortable for them – even if that speaking style contains pauses, repetitions, and blocks.
— NYC Stutters (2020)
<hr>
- Educators to integrate the diversity agenda into speech and language therapy training to enable future therapists to consider the philosophical underpinnings of their role and approach.
- Forums for therapists to examine their underlying values, role and scope of practice.
- Meaningful collaboration to rethink the scope, focus and role of future stammering therapy for CYP & adults.
- Open, public debate about social and ethical implications of research in the fields of neuroscience and genetics.
- Research into what matters for people who stammer.
- Balanced investment of funding.
- Accessible research findings & conferences.
<hr>
Still it appears to us that the answer will be forthcoming if we as a field are serious about engaging in a partnership between researchers and the population of people who stutter, for people who stutter can provide the most meaningful metric for determining whether a treatment is viable.
— Yaruss & Quesal (2004)
<hr>
It is critical for professionals to realise that people with lived experience are best situated to drive the effort for changing how our society thinks about stuttering. Professionals bring resources and credibility to the table which can be very important for public attitude change, and they can play a supportive role to improve social conditions. However, people who stammer themselves are best positioned to promote the agenda of their community in terms of actions and policies that effect their lives.
— Boyle (2019)