15-18 Year-olds: The Young Adults Course
The July two-week group intensive programme for young adults is
described as a "communication skills approach" rather than as a
fluency course. It has been evolving over the past 25 years and
has now developed into a highly structured programme which has been
published as a textbook for speech and language therapists (see
the "Professionals" section).
We consider that the broader framework of "social communication
skills" reflects three areas for therapy: fluency enhancement, social
skills training and the psychological aspects of stammering. The
latter, arguably the most important, concerns the development of
a broader understanding of the role that a person's thought processes
and attitudes about their stammering have in influencing their moods
and worries as well as the actual stammering.
There are usually 8-10 participants, usually more boys than girls
because more males stammer. The programme includes brainstorms,
discussions, debates, practical exercises and activities. The group
dynamic is a particularly important aspect and over the years many
teenagers have said that the most important element for them has
been to meet others with the same problem. Because stammering is
not a very common problem, many people can feel very isolated and
may never have met others who stammer.
The course covers a wide range of topics including the nature
of stammering, its variations and apparent unpredictability. We
explore communication skills in general and observe the real world
for evidence of the wide range of abilities and competencies. We
discuss the importance of good non-verbal skills and how to develop
more objective self-awareness, rather than the usual self-criticism
which is so damaging to confidence and self esteem. We investigate
and practise more helpful fluency strategies and use a variety of
methods for practising skills for improving communication as a whole.
The two weeks is seen as a foundation course, it is the beginning
of finding ways to move forward rather than feeling hopelessly stuck.
Of course we also have to take into account the challenges of "adolescence"
too and how these may be having an impact on how a person feels
about himself or herself at this difficult time of life.
Parental involvement is still important, but by now the teenager
will need to learn to become more independent and take responsibility
for his or her therapy. At the end of the course we arrange regular
follow-up sessions throughout the following year. And we will arrange
additional individual sessions where there is a need.
The participants may come from anywhere in the United Kingdom.
The only self-limiting aspect is finding a place to stay in London
for the two weeks.
Individual Family Sessions
Individual sessions are also arranged for a family where attendance
on an intensive programme is either not recommended or is impractical.
These will be arranged weekly and usually require between 6-10 sessions
with regular review appointments. The contents of therapy will be
related to the needs of the child or teenager and family, but broadly
speaking will include gaining a better insight into stammering,
learning some strategies for developing confidence, problem solving
and negotiation skills as well as fluency enhancing strategies.
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