Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders

Coordinator's Corner

Gottwald, S. R. — 2009-02-12

From the Editor

Osborne, C. — 2009-02-12

Cultural Considerations in Assessing and Treating African Americans Who Stutter

Tellis, G. — 2009-02-12

The purpose of this paper is to provide speech-language pathologists with information that addresses cultural perceptions about stuttering and suggestions for assessment and treatment of stuttering in African Americans. The psychometric properties of the Stuttering Inventory for African Americans are discussed. Results indicate that this scale is reliable and valid. Overall, African Americans had positive perceptions about stuttering. Suggestions for evaluation and treatment of stuttering are provided.

Essentials in Mentoring Clinical Skills in Stuttering Therapy

Rentschler, G. J., Mosesso, A. — 2009-02-12

As a profession, there is need to teach, improve, and perpetuate the clinical skills of speech-language pathologists in the area of stuttering. There are different clinical education approaches to this goal which relate to the stage of the clinician's maturation and development. Clinical supervision is the approach used commonly in graduate programs teaching new clinicians. Mentoring is another approach, perhaps more appropriate for learners already having mastered basic knowledge and clinical skills.

This paper discusses issues of learner knowledge, clinical skills, and values which underlie stuttering therapy. It offers a value-based mentoring approach applicable to educating clinicians interested in stuttering.

Mentoring Graduate Clinicians as They Become Counselors

Parris, D., Gottwald, S. R. — 2009-02-12

Counseling is a skill that speech-language pathologists use as they help people to change. Graduate clinicians come to the clinical process with limited knowledge about and experience in counseling. The clinical supervisor plays a primary role in helping graduate clinicians develop comfort in using counseling skills. In this article, a developmental model for acquiring counseling skills is discussed and illustrated. Techniques and tools for assessing the supervisee's level of development in counseling and for helping supervisees acquire counseling skills are presented. Focus is placed on relationship-centered counseling in supervision to facilitate student growth.

The Infusion of Interactive Digital Media With Self-Help and Stuttering Treatment

Reitzes, P., Snyder, G. — 2009-02-12

Limitations in the science of stuttering and stuttering therapy result in a failure to eradicate the stuttering phenomenon in clients with persistent developmental stuttering. Subsequently, many clients who stutter continue to live with the negative social consequences of stuttered speech, which include the potential for social marginalization and a reduction in quality of life. Consequently, current stuttering treatments, as well as a grass-roots self-help movement, have evolved to address these challenges faced by the stuttering population. This paper discusses the application of self-help styled interactive content over a digital media, in the form of audio and video podcasting, in stuttering support and treatment.

From the Specialty Board

Rentschler, G. J. — 2009-02-12

Call for Papers -- Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders (2009-2010)

2009-02-12