Great speech and language therapy should be like a dance. In that dance both partners move with light and fluid movement, sensing the slightest move or direction from the lead partner and following in step.
Great speech therapy should be like shopping for a special dress or suit. You go and get measured and the garment is fitted to your body type. You then try it on and it should be just right.
Great speech therapy should be like going to the store and buying a new pair of shoes. You go and give the salesperson your size, pick out a pair you would like to try on and then the moment: You know instantly whether you like the shoes or not. Whether they are for you. Often you don't even have to get up from the bench to walk around. You just know whether the shoes are going to be the right fit.
I think people with speaking difficulties also know whether they are in the right place; whether they are comfortable receiving speech therapy from a therapist. It's really not any different from choosing a new pair of shoes and being happy with your purchase.
Now here's the rub: Did you ever buy a pair of shoes that didn't fit right? I have. They hurt, and were uncomfortable. Within a short period of time you wanted to avoid wearing them and ended up returning them and shopping for another pair. Were you ever forced by a well meaning parent or mate to wear or be somewhere that was totally wrong for you?
Frustration occurs when there is a wrong fit in clothing, or speech therapy. Speech and language stimulation should be an experience the person with the communication difficulty looks forward to. Remember it is a dance, where no one steps on each other's toes. It should be like shopping for an item you want, and happy that you made the purchase.
If it is not like that. Keep shopping.
Mark A. Ittleman, M.S., CCC/SLP
Senior Speech Language Pathologist
Author Teaching of Talking
Mark Ittleman, M.S., CCC/SLP is a speech language pathologist with over 40 years of working with people who have speaking difficulties. He simplifies the process of speech therapy so that there is little to no frustration in the process. He teaches caregivers and therapists simple fundamentals to follow in order to be successful with the speech therapy process. He is available to come to your college, hospital, school or clinic to present dynamic information which will be helpful to all involved. Simple and direct.
Find out more about his book, the Teaching of Talking by going to http://www.teachingoftalking.com and opting in. We are offering a free telephone conversation with the purchase of The Teaching of Talking book from the website.
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