Posting #11: Chapter 33

This chapter was difficult for me to read because I felt like a Speech Pathologist was portrayed in such a negative light in the beginning. I am majoring in Communication Disorders to one day become a Speech Pathologist. There is a paragraph in this chapter when the authors explained what a Speech Pathologist does, they stated that:

“They drill their clients in correct pronunciation, teach them how to form sounds correctly, differentiate their vowels, consonants, and diphthongs, put the accent on the correct syllable, gain awareness of their movements, control their breathing and voicing, develop polished articulation and intonation (this is the tough part) and, in general, acquire good speech skills-as good as possible. They do so with wildly varying degrees of success” (pg. 196).

                I think that each Pathologist is going to differ and that just like a teacher, some are extremely good at what they do and others aren’t as effective. I think that in order to be a successful Speech Pathologist you need to be patient, and understanding of everyone’s differences. You are there to help them communicate more clearly with the language that they are given. I don’t think that you are there to completely change them. The authors say that many deaf people feel that Speech Pathologist view them as if “they are broken and need to be fixed” (pg.196).

My ASL course has really helped open my eyes to the deaf community. It has made me realize that they are just using a different language, but it is still one that is effective and fits them best, and there is no reason I should try to change them. I think that by knowing some ASL, I will be able to work with deaf children. I will want to help them develop and grow in the language that they are already familiar with. It is unfair for us to expect them to learn a whole new language on top of their native language and expect them to be distinguished in it. Just as the book said, in the future, I want my patients to find their sessions “enjoyable, or even rewarding” (pg.197). I am glad that the authors did finally point out that, “there are indeed some speech pathologists who respect deaf people, have a positive attitude towards the Deaf community, and even use sign language” (pg. 197).That is what I hope to do one day. I want to make a positive difference in my patient’s lives.

                At the very end of the chapter it says, “We would like the therapist/ client relationship to be one of mutual respect and honesty. Not one of antagonism or deception” (pg. 199). After reading the story about the deaf woman, who was told she was a wonderful speaker, then finding out she struggled at McDonald’s, I see the significance in having an honest relationship with a client. It is so sad that her speech therapist had lied to her when instead they could have been helping her.