When the Tail Begins to Wag the Dog: Some Views on the Relationship between Speech Pathologists and Self-Help Groups in the Management of Stuttering

Abstract

Stutterers' self-help groups, such as the Australian Speak Easy Association, have a unique and potentially important contribution to make to the management of stuttering. However, it is a contribution that is fundamentally different from the one that speech pathologists can and should make to treatment. This paper reviews some of the contributions that speech pathologists are best trained to provide, and considers the implications of these contributions for a profitable relationship with the Association. Some suggested guidelines are offered in order to enhance that relationship.